I lugged my city girl butt to the local country agricultural fair this week, and had a blast. Who knew judging chickens, goats, pigs, bulls, and large squash could be so much fun. I chatted with farmers, learned some farming lingo, and enjoyed the sights and sounds a country fair has to offer.
On Chickens
While at the fair, I also learned about something a little bit strange, something called backyard chickens. Yes, I just wrote backyard chickens. Apparently, there is a movement in urban areas to raise a few backyard chickens for fresh eggs. Crazy? Clucky? Plucky? Anychicken, the notion of building a small coop and raising a few chicks kind of appeals to my sense of farming wonder. I don’t think I’ll financially fatten my nest egg by taking on this adventure, but what the peck! If you’ve ever raised chickens, built a coop, or just think me a bird brain, please leave a comment below. I could use some advice. Snicker.
On Tomatoes
Why oh why does it seem my neighbors tomatoes are tastier, juicier, and more delicious than my own? Easy. My neighbor plants these wonderful fruits called Heirloom Tomatoes. Wowwy. This year I planted Lemon Boys and Beefsteaks. But the Heirloom tomatoes are by far the most beautiful, tender, and tasty. I need some tomato advice from those wiser than myself…where on earth does one find these heirloom tomatoes? I live in BC, Canada. My neighbor is keeping mum on her source, so I’m at a loss.
On Links
Kimberly Palmer, Alpha Consumer
Kimberly Palmer at Alpha Consumer (US News) wrote two awesome articles on how to make money blogging. I am especially honored since Kimberly interviewed me (Squawks) to be in her piece! Thanks Kimberly! Kimberly’s blog is loaded with incredible content, including podcasts. If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to earn money writing a blog, then do visit her articles below:
Carnivals
I participated in the Carnival of Personal Finance this week where One Caveman hosted the Fire up the Grill Edition!. This carnival really sizzles with lovely photographs and a sense of humor. A big thanks to One Caveman for including me as an Editor’s Pick!
Personal Finance Network
I get by with a little help from my friends. Here is my network roundup!
- Clever Dude: Save Money on Contact Lenses
- Canadian Capitalist: “Pitfalls” of Indexing
- Quest for Four Pillars: Pricing
- Blunt Money: The World is Not Like Me
- Money Ning: Buy an Investment Property or Dividend Yielding Stocks
Anyhoo, I’m spending the rest of today researching tomatoes and chickens. If you’ve got some gardening or chicken advice for this city girl, please do leave a comment below. I need all the help I can get!
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Your two cents:
For heirloom tomato seeds you can check out the resource list on the Seeds of Diversity website:
http://www.seeds.ca/rl/rl.php
It lists Canadian resources for heirloom seeds as well as US companies that can ship seeds to Canada. Check it out for a source near you!
The only experience I have with chicken coops is that there was one here when we bought our house and it’s one of the first things we demolished
I saw Heirloom Tomato plants at the Abbotsford, BC Farmers Market back in the spring. They had lots when I went by early in the day.
At the time, I had not started thinking about my own garden, so I didn’t get any. Now my “Early Girl” tomato plant is heavily laden with green fruit – and one almost red one. Hopefully this warm weather keeps up and I get to harvest more than one…
Go to seedsavers.org and join up. You can get all kinds of heirloom plants from them.
Or you can ask your neighbor for a few and save seeds from them (then you’ll be able to grow the same tasty tomatoes and you know they’ll do well in your area).
Chickens eat weeds!? Now I really want a couple of chickens
Thanks for the link, btw.
Heirloom tomatoes (or any plant for that matter) are ones that are not used in large scale farming or agriculture. They aren’t grafted, they propagate only through pollination. Not sure if you’re affected by blight in your neck of the woods, but I am, so each year I have to be sure to plant my tomatoes in a different spot to avoid blight.
I’ve got Borghese and Beefsteak this year and a ridiculous amount of basil. If only I could make my own buffalo mozzarella and olive oil….
Heirloom tomatoes (or any plant for that matter) are ones that are not used in large scale farming or agriculture. They aren’t grafted, they propagate only through pollination. Not sure if you’re affected by blight in your neck of the woods, but I am, so each year I have to be sure to plant my tomatoes in a different spot to avoid blight.
I’ve got Borghese and Beefsteak this year and a ridiculous amount of basil. If only I could make my own buffalo mozzarella and olive oil….
An interesting article about raising chickens is at: http://www.kuro5hin.org/story/2004/4/29/11295/0278
I’ve been involved in raising chickens, and I can assure you it’s not nearly as appealing and quaint as it first appears!
The benefits of your own little chicken coop are obvious- super fresh eggs and meat and a peaceful clucking in your yard. But the downsides- the smell, the mess, and the dirty, dirty side of farming- are easily overlooked or romanticized.
If you need any specific tips, let me know- but for now, my biggest tip is stick to agricultural fairs and farmers’ markets
Chickens are not cheap to raise due to cost of their layer feed, which contains corn. But the eggs are delicious and different than store bought. They take a lot of time, will need heat in the winter up there, and can be smelly, yes, but the manure is great in the compost pile. Do not apply directly to garden as it is too ‘hot’. You’ll also need to be able to eat the non-layers, and plucking chicken feathers is not for the squeamish. Once they quit laying, they are pretty much just for the stewpot and soups. (But tasty) The are subject to pneumonia, so consider whether you are going to put antibiotics in their water or just hope for the best.
If there are predators or dogs/cats around, you’ll need fencing: either permanent or a tractor portable fence that moves along with the chickens in it. And you’ll need to be able to put them in at night, secure the door from predators, and have a roost and nest boxes for them. It’s nice to be able to collect the eggs from outside, like a door flap that flops down, but they can be collected from inside also.
Seeds: Seedsavers.com, victoryseeds, territorial-seeds, are some of the heirloom seed companies.
Or, if your neighbor shares one her heirloom tomatoes with you, let it fully ripen to almost overripe, and then dry and save the seeds from it. As heirlooms are NOT hybrids, you should have the same results from the seeds as the original plant had.
Some times the Master Gardener’s spring sales in our areas have heirloom varieties for sale – that’s thru our extension offices.
I am curious to know whether you can raise chicken in your backyard. Layer Chicken Farming and Dairy Farming are regulated industry. One has to buy quota to raise layer chicken.
I would appreciate if someone knows and clarify that backyard chicken farming does not fall into that category. I agree with others that eggs and chicken raised free-range are delicious.
In my area of Oregon, backyard chickens come under hobby farming – not commercial. No quota required. Even the kids can raise them for 4H and such. It’s for personal use – not for sale – therefore does not qualify as regulated industry.
If you decide to sell to the public, then you’d need to check into your local laws and statutes. And probably technically with the health dept. Like in my town, within the city limits no livestock are allowed – therefore I cannot raise chickens in my backyard here.
I laughed out loud when you mentioned the backyard chickens. When I was 7 my mom bought 4 chickens for my and my brothers and sisters and I. We lived in a normal suburban neighborhood with a fenced in backyard. I’m not really sure what she was thinking and I’m sure my dad thought she was crazy but our chickens were awesome! They ate anything, even chicken. And they also laid brown eggs everyday which I found fascinating a 7. That’s all I know about chickens.
The lure of fresh eggs is tempting, but dude, chickens reek. Perhaps the most terrifying event of my childhood was when a neighbor’s chicken made it over the fence and I had to corral it and get it back over. Not down with the chickens.
Heirloom tomatoes, now that sounds awesome!
I have fond and not so fond memories of raising backyard chickens for 4H. We lived in the suburbs in Orange County, California. When I asked my dad if we were allowed to have chickens he said ‘as long as the neighbors don’t complain’. We had a large yard and no roosters, kept the chickens in the very back and bribed (I mean sold) the eggs to the neighbors. Chickens are very loud when they lay an egg. And I’ll never forget the sound of chicken screams at 1am when my sister and I forgot to put them back in their cage. Racoons love to eat chicken! I still have nightmares that I forgot to close the coop door or forgot to give them food and water. When I get the silly idea to buy a couple chickens now I just remember those days…plus I don’t eat that many eggs and I’m not in to the whole killing my own food thing. Oh, and they loved to eat the cat food, and you don’t see chicken poop on the lawn until you step in it!
I want chickens!! I have been dreaming of that for a couple of years now. And I don’t want the farm to come with them either. LOL.
I think when we move next we are going to move just far enough out of the city so that we can have some chickens and not disturb our neighbors.
Chickens! Haha. I wonder if it is even legal to raise chickens in a residential neighbourhood – I hope not!
You should be ok on a farm tho.
Thanks for the link.
Mike
Some towns/cities do allow chickens.
Some cities allow chickens but not roosters.
Some (mine) say no livestock at all
Have to check your city ordinances.
Holy squawking chickens! You guys know your birds (and tomatoes). One reader emailed me this heirloom tomato site (just want to share the yummy goodness): Heirloom Tomato Plants.
On Chickens:
I’ve done more research, and all of your comments have helped, thank you. So happy some laughed, mused, or held your noses over backyard chickens. If you live somewhere in Canuck land, then the Chicken Farmers of Canada state the rules for private chickens. Basically, you can keep a few clucks.
On Smells:
Yes. Lots of chickens wreak. I’m thinking just a few though, like 3-4 birds. Keeping a small coop away from the house is not a stinky situation, me thinks, hopes.
On food for clucks:
I live in the middle of a forest. I compost almost everything. The wildlife attack my compost. I’m thinking the chickens can eat my compostables (new word). Kinda solves a lot of problems with what to do with the odd produce and stuff. Plus I get eggs. I’ll take eggs over dirt most days of the week.
Next Steps:
My better half and I are drafting some simple coop designs. I’ll keep ya posted.
Feel free to continue this clucky conversation.
Fox, 3-4 chickens can still produce an impressively smelly mess!
Also make sure that you’re prepared to deal with the “unpleasantness” of farming, especially the killing part. I’ve been called in to help a neighbor who couldn’t take care of this herself, but it is an essential part of raising chickens. Even if meat isn’t your goal, it’s still a necessary evil.
Good luck!
I have several chickens, 3 roosters, 7 hens, and four biddies. I also live in a subdivision on an acre and as yet my neighbors have not complained.
I have located them as far back on the property so as not to disturb the neighbors and share eggs when I have an abundance. I have never been bothered by any smell. It is necessary to clean your coop out but if you do it often enough you should have no problems. I clean mine once a month.
I’ve kept chickens and intend to again. If you clean the coop regularly, they don’t stink. The shavings and poop are excellent in the compost. My problem is finding a Canadian source for Heirloom Chickens, if anyone knows of one, please let me know. Thanks.
Has anyone got a good Canadian source of Heirloom chickens?