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The Urban Agriculture movement has sparked interest in the development of local protein sources. Small scale urban chicken farming has proven to be a viable option for homeowners due to low startup and maintenance costs, quick return on investment, and of course fresh eggs! Local municipicalities are beginning to see the benefits of updating their bylaws and official plans to include Urban Chicken Farming as a fundamental way to encourage local food security and a reduced urban carbon footrprint. The following outlines a a brief narrative of my Urban Chicken Farming experiences in Guelph, Ontario, Canada.

          The Urban Agriculture movement has sparked interest  in the development of local protein sources. Small scale urban chicken farming has proven to be a viable option for homeowners due to low startup and maintenance costs, quick return on investment, and of course fresh eggs! Local municipicalities are beginning to see the benefits of updating their bylaws and official plans to include Urban Chicken Farming as a fundamental way to encourage local food security and a reduced urban carbon footrprint. The following outlines a a brief narrative of my Urban Chicken Farming experiences in Guelph, Ontario, Canada.

I am an average graduate student at the University of Guelph, Ontario.  Some of my habits, however, are not so average. I live in a lower density suburban neighbourhood somewhere between the University and Downtown, and in my backyard I house 3 little Rhode Island Red hens in a small coup I made out of wood (reclaimed wood, I might add).

My hens are my partners, they keep me fueled with nutrition and joy, I keep them fed, loved and sheltered. Every morning before I am off to school, I let the girls out into their run, feed them with grain and water, collect their eggs, and wish them a good day.

I feel like I am becoming more connected with my food and where it comes from. You cannot buy any more local that your own back yard!

I also feel satisfied in better mannaging the food waste I produce in my kitchen. All my scraps are fed to the hens and they convert the energy into eggs, their bodies, and manure.  The manure is then composted and used to grow more food and the cycle continues.

The overabundance of eggs in my fridge also facilitates great social exchange, believe it or not. What better way to meet your neighbours then to offer them a half dozen fresh eggs and a great story about what goes on right next door!  And if there are kids nearby, be prepared to open up your very own 'petting zoo'  (At least when they first find out).

I have also discovered the great wonders of bartering.  I have begun to exchange my eggs for fresh home baked bread with one of my class mates.  It sure beats gowing to the grocery store!

So in an Eggshell, thats my Sustainability Story.  I would encourage you to explore Urban Chicken Farming and find out if it works for you.

Posted by jchoquet on March 8, 2009 01:26:24
Filed in : Green Living/Sustainable Living, Sustainability Ideas, Waste (Solid) & Recycling