During his presidential campaign of 1928, Herbert Hoover promised a chicken in every pot to encourage the nation’s economy. We know how that worked out the following year.
But economic hard times are here again and so is talk of chickens.
Scott Beyer, a Kansas State University professor and poultry specialist, said he has been getting a lot of phone calls and emails requesting information about raising a small flock of chickens.
“One can’t help but wonder if the economy has anything to do with this renewed interest in poultry husbandry,” Beyer said.
He said he asked questions of the callers and emailers about their interest. And while he said the responses varied, he said, “The economy does seem to be a common thread.”
“When faced with difficult times,” Beyer added, “people seek efficiency and a return to simpler times.”
He said some of the queries came from people who were interested in supporting American products, while others wanted to reduce their carbon footprint and not purchase foods that travel long distances. Still others just wanted fresh foods grown locally, he said.
Beyer cautioned city-dwellers to check with local rules about the legality of raising chickens in town. In Wichita, it’s legal.
So perhaps raising chickens for their eggs or to fill a pot is right for you. But Beyer probably won’t be able to help you with the rest of Hoover’s campaign pledge:
“A chicken in every pot and a car in every garage.”
One Comment
I’m about to complete my first year of raising chickens inside the city limits. I get about two dozen eggs per week from my “organic, mobile, lawn ornaments.” In spite of the ubiquitous chicken poop, I’m still glad I made the decision to start my backyard flock.
However, it is NOT a money saver! It will take a long time to recover my costs for building a chicken coop and nesting boxes. My “girls” also developed quite a fondness for last summer’s tomato crop so I’m fencing off the garden area. In addition, there was the cost of a heated water bowl this winter and, of course, the ongoing purchase of chicken feed even though these are free range birds.
All of this has to be paid for with savings from egg purchases and not from home grown meat. (The eggs are not fertilized since roosters are not allowed within the city limits. No fertile eggs – no baby chickens.) However, free range eggs have significantly less cholesterol and significantly more protein than most store bought eggs. More important, we enjoy the process.