AT HOME IN TACOMA
A blog about all the little things that make Tacoma
home.
Tacoma's Backyard Chicken Craze
- By Kelli Jo Hjalseth
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- 23 May, 2018
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Tacomans are increasingly enlisting chickens to provide services like laying fresh eggs and gobbling up scraps of food that would otherwise end up in the trash. We caught up with one local chicken owner to find out a little more about her experience with urban fowl.
In the market to get some animals in your life? Are you already set with dogs or cats, and looking to find something to liven up your backyard? Consider the chicken! The City of Tacoma allows its residents to keep up to six chickens on their property, and besides being absolutely adorable little critters, chickens provide services like laying fresh eggs and gobbling up scraps of food that would otherwise end up in the trash.
More and more, Tacomans are finding the benefits of backyard chickens, so we spoke with Nikki, whose chickens – the delightfully named Princess Layer, Hen Solo, and Chew-bock-bock-a – have enriched her day to day life.
“I was inspired to keep and raise chickens in my backyard for a couple of reasons,” says Nikki. “One, I knew I wanted fresh eggs, they just taste so much better than store-bought eggs. Two, I felt it was important for my kids to understand a little of what farm life is like, even though we live in the city. So in addition to picking strawberries and helping water the garden, they can gather eggs. Hopefully these experiences instill a sense of sustainability and gratitude.
“Side benefits,” Nikki continues, “include great entertainment and conversation-starters, as well as inspiring others to raise their own, and building community around backyard chicken farming. My neighbors got a small flock last year, and we can chat about names, ailments, victories, and more.”
While there are definitely plenty of upsides to keeping chickens, there are some things to be aware of when it comes to keeping your chickens happy and healthy, especially in the relatively unpredictable environment of an urban backyard.
“The more chickens you have, the more susceptible to disease, rodents, and more,” says Nikki. “If you do have a backyard flock, it's important that they have time to free-range. I only keep 2-3 chickens at a time. My cat helps as a mouser for any potential rodents, and my dog likes to scan the perimeter of the yard (and mark his territory) to keep away any nocturnal critters that may have a hankering for hen.”
It's also important to arrange for your chickens to live in a coop that's big enough to accommodate them being able to freely move about, when you're not at home to let them roam in the yard. A comfortable chicken is a happy chicken, so give them a little breathing room. If you're inclined toward an ostentatious set-up, though, do be advised that coops larger than 200 square feet require a special permit.
Lastly, and most importantly, as Nikki notes, chickens serve as more than just little compost machines and your source for every deviled egg potluck offering: they make wonderful pets, with much more personality and energy than you might expect. Why not get a few for yourself? The good Star Wars pun names might be taken, but if you're into going the literary route, might we suggest Cluckleberry Finn?
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