Where for art thou, chickens?

The chicken coop/potting and art shed/composting toilet has stood forlorn and unfinished for 4 weeks now. I kept saying "We'll have our chickens by the end of the summer!" But here comes September and it's not ready for occupancy.

There is a lot of chicken activism in Asheville. Because of it, we now have fewer restrictions on legally keeping poultry within city limits. This is a trend across the country. The combination of the poor economy and the growing awareness of factory farm horror has clued people into the economic and health value of homegrown food. 

There's even a documentary film about it, Mad City Chickens. Looks interesting, anyone seen it?

A few years ago, when I first got chickens in LA, I put together this lens about Keeping Backyard Chickens. It's a good intro if you are thinking about getting some cluckers for yourself, or are simply curious.

Now the word is, "By Halloween, we'll have our own birds again." Meanwhile I'm getting our eggs from friends. Love those big blue ones with the double yolks Amber!

bok, bok, bok,
Jennifer

PS -- I have now allowed comments on the blog. I've kept this blog since December 2003 (!) and during those early fevered days of Bush bashing I got a lot of stupid comments from ignorant people. So I disabled the feature. I thought I'd give it another shot because I like the idea of more interaction.

So, if anybody actually reads this, and has a thought to share about what you've read, share it in a comment.

Comments

[heather]

Hi Jennifer,
first, thanks for adding comments, in this post you asked a question, and I was thinking, "how can I answer, she doesn't allow comments!"

second, I want chickens, and now you've given me the bug, really really. thanks for posting about the lens, I had forgotten it.

and amen those yucky comments, I've gotten a death threat this week. lovely.

xox,
Heather
ps. can't wait to see you guys this month, and sorry I don't have anything too positive to add...

[scully]

Wow, that is an awesome looking mutli-purpose space! We are getting chickens for the first time, this summer. Our friends are looking after 9 hens for us while I scurry to finish the hoop coop I am building based on a neighbour's design. Should have it done by this weekend. *fingers crossed*

[scully]

Oops. No links allowed it looks like! There were links to a photo of my creation and my neighbour's design. No worries :)

[Andrew]

Hi Jennifer,

This is your friend Andrew Rhodes from down in San Diego. I've been getting updates from your blog for a few months, but never thought to comment until now. And look, you just re-enabled comments! Awesome.

Backyard-chicken-keeping is coming on strong in SD. When are you visiting California?

[Truffula Tuft]

Thanks Heather, Rick and Andrew. Great to hear from you all here!