A Chicken and Egg Situation

February 20, 2009

I’ve been thinking of growing chickens in Jason Shim’s yard ever since we moved here. You see, I want my life to be a witty New York Times headline. Only two questions remain: where to acquire said chickens, and where to house them over the long winter months.

Let me know if you have any suggestions, and I will of course repay your kindness with fresh egg once this plan is, um, fully hatched.

Update: Jason Shim sez: “Whatever you do, don’t get the bylaw officers out here.” That’s a fair request. Do chickens have cell numbers they dial to alert bylaw officers in case of emergencies?

Posted by Tudor at 08:51 PM in Various Positions | TrackBack

Comments

Too bad you didn’t mention it earlier in the week…

You should be able to get chicks at the stock-yards out at the St. Jacobs farmer’s market. The stock-yard isn’t listed on the St. Jacobs information (that I could find, anyway).

It seems you just build them an insulated coop and put down a nice layer of wood shavings with straw on top. The body heat of your flock keeps the whole thing warm (assuming a certain volume of space with X chickens). Otherwise, you’ll have to rig heating.

I’ve been pondering the chicken thing myself.
Little City Farm is probably the people to turn to for advice. :)

Posted by: Opal on February 20, 2009 at 09:16 PM

You should grow some Indian Runner ducks!

Posted by: Danielle on February 21, 2009 at 12:41 AM

Great Resource: http://backyardfarming.blogspot.com/2008/01/book-review-keep-chickens-by-barbara.html

Everything from what breeds to choose for different characteristics to how to build them shelterinis to different bylaws in different cities.

I think i read somewhere that waterloo actually allowed it - maybe only a few, but I seem to remember something along those lines…

Let me know how it goes! Once the movement to overturn the bylaw banning it (http://torontochickens.com) is successful however, I intend to start keeping a flock of my own :)

I can’t wait

Posted by: Karen on February 28, 2009 at 12:36 AM

These are all such awesome ideas. Sweet! Thanks people.

Posted by: Tudor on February 28, 2009 at 10:59 PM