Backyard Chickens

I’ve been dreaming about backyard chickens. I met some new friends recently who raise chickens on their rural North Carolina property.

“I had chickens when I lived in Clearwater, too,” Valorie told me, smiling. That got me thinking. Could I have my own private flock? I’ve already got plans to put in a garden, the spot’s all plotted out with a layer of mulch, now hopefully decaying under plastic and wood scraps. But adding chickens? They look like fun. Besides the obvious benefit of fresh eggs, all that chicken poop would be a great addition to my garden.

But I’m a realist, too. Having any animal requires a commitment to their care, and I know I’d need to do some research before taking the plunge. But I bet it would be worth it.