I'm thinking of raising chickens in my yard for eggs and an occasional BBQ (and fun!). Any other CP'ers have experience with this? Is it cost effective when you factor in feed and care? Will they trash my yard or be good for the garden? How many should I get (just hens). Will I be up to my eyeballs in eggs?
Yes, I live in a small part of my city/town that is grand-fathered in for chickens...I kid you not, although it does sound funny when I type it. Many cities allow people to raise chickens. Great...now everybody here is going to think I'm some kind of chicken freak...or Jive Turkey...
Just out of interest's sake (aka "I'm a dork"), I looked it up for here in Cowtown.
Livestock in the City
Farm animals kept in residential backyards or commercial spaces are generally inappropriate for a dense urban environment. Keeping such animals introduces problems into the neighbourhood such as noise, odors and pests attracted to the animal's food and hay. As well, an urban environment does not provide an ideal living space for farm animals. In some circumstances, however, under the Land Use Bylaw, livestock may be permitted if the area is zoned industrial, urban reserve, or agricultural. If you have specific concerns as to whether livestock is permitted on a particular property, contact Land Use Planning & Policy.
I know a couple of people whohave chickens here in suburban SoFla.. actually the Haitians kinda made it popular. That's another story. But I do know some folks in a so-called upscale neighbor that have some chickens. They don't have any problems, the poop is good for the garden. I guess it makes them feel like they're living in the French/English countryside or something. Some of the chickens are actually very pretty, never thought I'd be saying that about chickens.
When I was a kid, we use to have Cochin banties from China who roamed around our 3 acre lawn and gardens. They were colourful and were more a decoration than a food source.
The chicken owners I know live in an expensive house on the Intracoastal waterway. One time the rooster escaped. It was hilarious how they tried to find it without admitting it was theirs. It was walking down the street .
My parents have rabbits living underneath the evergreen in their front yard. Or maybe they had rabbits since a few weeks ago they found a coyote hanging around.
Anybody raise chickens in the backyard?
