Residents gathered at the New Town Success Zone Urban Farmacy recently to learn how to raise their own flock of chickens. Raising the southern tradition is traditionally known to be a rural practice but it can be done in urban areas. Giving the increasing prices of chicken and eggs at the grocery store, Wealth Watchers is empowering city dwellers with the knowledge.
You can have up to five chickens on one acre of land and should have a fenced-in backyard with a secure, enclosed shelter to protect your birds. In addition, it’s important to know there is a process in what for most chickens is a seven-year lifespan. They start off as chicks and then become chickens. When they are able to lay eggs, call them hens.
During the workshop, participants learned there were many benefits to raising chickens. Not only can you can have a fresh, reliable food source, the chickens eat insects and slugs, reducing the need for pesticides. Also, chicken manure is a good fertilizer for your garden. These were just some items the Wealth Watchers team and its partners taught at the Backyard Chicken Workshop.
“Through our Comprehensive Rural Opportunities Program (C.R.O.P.), we continue to find ways to ensure families know about sustainable living. This workshop was an excellent opportunity to learn the basics of chicken care routines and feeding as well as city ordinances and backyard poultry laws,” said Carrie Davis, Wealth Watchers chief executive officer.
According to William Barker IV, farm manager, “With rising food costs, meat costs and egg costs, a lot of people who have their own land are moving into growing their own food or raising their own chickens. They want to control what they put in their mouth.”
Research shows an estimated 84 million chickens are kept privately in the United States. Anywhere from 11–13 million households have backyard chickens. This is definitely a growing trend. “Chickens start laying eggs between six and eight months of age. They can lay anywhere from 270-280 eggs a year, depending on the breed. Those eggs are ready for consumption,” said Barker. Bottom line, is what really came first, the chicken or the egg?
Fr more infocmation about raising chickers and to learn how to be self-sufficient in your backyard. Call Wealth Watchers, (904) 265-4736 for more information.
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