I had been so proud that Chicago allowed backyard chickens. Come to find out, some aldermen have been trying to outlaw these friendly egg layers.
Oh well…I’m guessing the locavore tide has turned enough that it will be much more difficult to ban the birds at this point. The Chicago Trib story today, “Chickens earning their keep in Chicago backyards,” has some evidence of that.
Last month a backyard chicken workshop offered by Angelic Organics, sold out within 48 hours.
Tom Rosenfeld, who’s been keeping chickens for eggs at his Rogers Park home for three years, told the Tribune, “We’ve finally gone over the top in this corporate food delivery system. It’s about connecting much closer to [one’s] food.”
Weirdly, the Chicago Tribune had to go to UC Davis to talk to a poultry extention specialist. Really? No one at the many Midwest ag schools would do?
But I digress, UC Davis Farmgirl Francine A. Bradley debunked the oft-repeated scare tactic of misinformed politicians that backyard chickens spread disease.
“Obviously, if there was a [disease] problem, the human and chicken bond wouldn’t be as old and long-lived as it is,” Bradley said. She also pointed out to the Trib that chickens produce much less waste than dogs or cats.
Don’t miss the Web extra video by the Trib, with Liz and her chicks on Adams Street.
Virtual Farmgirl 