Who Says Chickens aren't Talented?

This short video speaks for itself.

CLUCK Opinion: Let's Blame the Chickens?

An article in SRQ daily quotes one source as attributing Commissioner Dick Clapp's recent defeat to the the chicken vote, and apparently the anti-chicken vote at that. That's classic pretzel logic because both Dick Clapp and his opponent, Paul Caraguilo, stood on the same side of the issue, standing with the vast majority of citizen email, editorial positions, and public testimony, which strongly favored backyard hens. When two candidates have similar positions on an issue, voters are forced to look elsewhere for means to distinguish between them.

Stranger still because Caraguilo had been a strong backyard chicken supporter from the outset while Clapp's support clearly emerged only at the end of the campaign. If the supposed "chicken vote" had any negative effect on Clapp's candidacy, it might of been because his support came so late. 

CLUCK goes to the Sarasota County Fair

Not only can you see about 14 different breeds of chickens at the Small Animal Tent at the Sarasota County Fair, you can also see the remarkable difference in eggs, as well as baby chicks and a demonstration chicken tractor.

CLUCK: Still need a few volunteers for the county fair

Are you curious about the various breeds of chickens being raised locally? Do you have a couple of hours for some chicken-related public service? Would you like a free pass to get in the County Fair?  If so, please consider taking a shift at the small animal tent at the County Fair, which starts this Friday. This is a great chance to assess the moods of a variety of chickens, help staff a CLUCK information table, and examine in detail a working chicken tractor. You'll also have a chance to meet and talk with others interested in chickens.

CLUCK Tips: Creative, Helpful, Inspirational Coops (CHIC)

There are no doubt thousands of images of chicken coop designs available on the web, and the range is testimony first to the adaptability of chickens and second to the vision and creativity of the designers.  Truth is (and you can read it here first and quote it): There is no better subject for a design competition than a chicken coop. Why so?  Because chicken coops lie at the intersection of three crucial design factors: scale, complexity, and relevance. Coops are small enough that people can go beyond scale models and actually build their designs - they are manageable, affordable, build-in-your-garage scale structures unlike designing a bus station or a water tower. That means people can adjust their designs on the fly as they construct their vision. Second, they require integration of a long list of complicated constraints and functions. Because they must accommodate living critters that need good ventilation but not drafts, easy access but tough security, lots of light with dark nesting areas, etc. the design challenges are far more intricate than say a dog house or back yard gazebo. Finally, there is incredible demand for affordable, sustainable, workable coops and anyone who comes close on all three will be rewarded, if not financially, then at least with the sincerest form of flattery.

One thing about coop design: beware of coops where the design gets out ahead of the function. If it looks too cute, ask yourself if the design is designed more to impress human eyes than accommodate gallinaceous needs.

This blog entry will change as we add more examples, but here are some creative, helpful and inspirational coop designs:

Tampa Bay Online Covers Backyard Chickens

Feb. 25. Tampa Tribune reporter Michelle Bearden filed a story online: Chickens clucking their way to an urban yard near you. The story covers urban chicken activity in Hillsborough, Pinellas and Sarasota Counties.

7 Reasons to Raise Chickens (courtesy of McMurray Hatchery blog)

1. Fresh Eggs

There simply aren’t any eggs fresher than those that you can get if you raise your own chickens.

 

2. High Quality Eggs and Meat

When you raise your own chickens, you manage their food supply, water supply, and living conditions. Take good care of your chickens, feed them a balanced diet, provide a good clean water supply, keep their coop clean, keep your flock healthy, disease free, and stress free, and in return, they will give you excellent quality eggs and meat.

 

3. Sustainable Food

As long as you provide for their needs properly, your chickens won’t care whether the Dow Jones average is up or down or what the price per barrel is for crude oil this week.  Your chickens can supply you with meat and eggs right through the toughest times.

 

4. Table Scraps

Does it bother you to throw yesterday’s wilted lettuce salad into the trash so that it can be carried off to the landfill?  Feed it to your chickens instead, as a supplement to their regular diet, and they can convert it to eggs for your table and fertilizer for your garden.

 

5. Garden Fertilizer

Chicken manure can be an excellent addition to your garden, particularly if you feed your chickens organic feed.  When cleaning out the coop, add the manure to your compost pile.

 

6. Stress Relief and Enjoyment

There are few things more relaxing and enjoyable than watching your chickens as they forage, chase grasshoppers and other garden pests, and do their other antics.  Many people say that watching their chickens helps them relax.

 

7. It’s Great for your Children and Grandchildren

From my experience, most children love chickens.  They love to feed them and gather the eggs. Helping care for the chickens helps children to grow up to become responsible, caring adults.


What are some of the ways that raising chickens has enriched your life?  Why do you raise chickens?


Courtesy of McMurray Hatchery Blog