Urban Chickens

A previous post mentioned the impact that the current drought will have on the cost of meat. While there isn’t much we can do to change weather conditions, we can make other conscious decisions that are both economically and ecologically sustainable.

One of the latest trends in healthy, green lifestyles is the emergence of the urban farm. People on either coast and everywhere in between are turning back yards, front lawns, and empty lots into gardens that feed families and neighborhoods, although sometimes not without a fight.

And, it’s not just fruits and vegetables - many urban farmers now include chickens. Chickens are a good source of protein with a 4 oz. serving providing more than half of our necessary proteins for the day. And one egg can provide between 5 - 6 grams of protein, depending on how it’s prepared.

So, what are the cost benefits of raising chickens? An infographic from FriendsEAT shows that while the front end expenses can be at least $250, the long-term benefits are much greater. The overall cost of store-bought chicken and eggs are greater than what the farm can produce. And the cost of store-bought organic chicken and eggs is even higher. Additionally, grain fed, free-range chickens are known to be healthier and produce better, tastier eggs than those from the big-company farms that stock our stores.

Want to learn more? The following sites offer help with everything you need to know from building coops to buying feed to choosing the best breed of chickens.
www.backyardchickens.com
www.farmstore.com
www.urbanchickens.com
www.urbanchickens.net

Good luck and happy farming!

Graphic Eggs In The Grass by Ed Hoskins