Urban Chicken Keeping: What the Cluck?

Chickens have pecked and scratched their way into my consciousness. I was aware that city folk were keeping chickens—a phenoma known as urban chicken keeping—but, it wasn't until I encountered some of the most fantastical un-chicken looking chickens, that I began asking "What the cluck?" As a college student in Arkansas, the chickens bore the collective name of Tyson and formed a sea of white in massive coops that you could smell for miles. The chickens were crammed beak-to-beak in these coops, made tons of noise and were just plain foul. Like, burn your nostrils foul. So, when I heard that urban dwellers were keeping chickens in their backyards, this was my frame of reference. What the cluck, indeed.

Recently, we were on Mississippi Avenue and wandered into Pistils Nursery on a whim. It's a charming place. I was transfixed by their collection of tillandsias and happily shopping along—until I heard the peeping. Curious, I peered into a well-lit, large tub—the source of the noise—and beheld the hundred or so fuzzy chicks responsible for the peep show. Chicks really know how to work a room. They captured the attention of nearly every shopper: some squealed, others laughed, but everyone couldn't help but smile. As the area got crowded, we wandered into the nursery's backyard, and that's when I saw these guys...

Meet the ladies and gents of Pistils Nursery: Top Left: Golden Laced Sebright Rooster, Top Right: Millie, Belgian D'uccle Mille Fleur, Bottom Left: Rosa, Black Rose Comb, Bottom Right: Pearl, Frizzle Cochin

Top Left: Gray, Birchin Blue Old English, Right: Sterling, Self Blue Old English Game Rooster, Bottom Left: Fawn, Red Pyle Old English Game Hen

Seeing these guys was startling. It was like seeing a chicken for the first time. In a weird way, it was—I saw their individuality. Each had their own look, personality and unique sound. So long, frame of reference.

We spoke with three Portland residents who keep chickens: Adrienne Flagg, Creative Director at IFCC; Steven Walling, WikiEditor at AboutUs.org; and Bryan Burns, a computer security specialist at Juniper Networks. Each hails from a different Portland neighborhood and has a unique take on urban chicken keeping.

Why Chickens?

Is it the eggs, because they're cute or something else?

Flagg grew up on a farm and has horrible memories of mucking through a poopy coop and collecting eggs from uncooperative hens. Understandably, she hated it. But, when she bought her home in Piedmont and got a huge backyard, she dug most of it up to plant food—mostly greens, peppers and lots of tomatoes—and that begat a slippery slope. She got a second cat. Then, a dog. And then, chickens. "Perhaps it was a natural progression or perhaps it was a way of justifying a few new pets," Flagg jokes. "They lay eggs, right? They contribute." But now, she concedes that it is all about the company.

"They are spectacular ladies. Nothing makes me happier then to see their fluffy little selves running around the backyard. It looks so anachronistic. I love it," she explains. "And they come running when you give a good Jerry Lewis 'Hey Laaaa-dies!' The cats sure don't do that."

For Walling, chickens were more of a comprehensive pursuit: pets that produce food. "Cuteness was never a factor," he says, "and "they certainly aren't just egg machines."

Burns, who resides in the Alameda neighborhood, recently purchased chicks at Pistils. The eggs were definitely a factor. "Eggs from well-kept chickens are much tastier and healthier than the commercial alternatives," says Burns. "But, there is also something very romantic about the idea of having chickens in the yard.. Something about returning to roots, or being in touch with the land." He likens it to the feeling you get from growing your own food in the garden. Burns also has two boys, and says, "keeping chickens seems like a good experience for them."

The Real Attraction

Some underlying reasons people keep chickens

Flagg admits that keeping chickens probably came about as a connection to her dad, the farmer. She's finding more and more joy in the partnership her dad used to enjoy with the plants and animals he cared for over the years. Now, she sees how much meaning and connection he had in his work.

She describes her professional work as pretty ethereal. "The arts? Performing? You never reach a point where you say: done for the day! There is always something to improve or to adjust," she explains. "There is a concreteness, an immediacy to farming that I can capture in my little urban plot. It gives me balance."

For Burns, producing his own food and making use of the land is appealing. "Having control and involvement in our food source is both rewarding and better for our health," he says. "But, the fact that chickens are legal—and even encouraged—by the city is definitely another factor."

Like Burns, Walling enjoys knowing where his food comes from and raising it himself. Chickens are more interesting to him, in this regard, because plants do not require humane care to be healthy and environmentally sound. He notes that an organic tomato is something you can trust, but "free range" eggs are vastly dissimilar from his backyard eggs. "Animal raising is a complex affair and the egg labels in stores are notoriously misleading—there is almost no independent regulation to speak of—Secondly, chickens are both cheaper and infinitely more rewarding than any pet I've ever had."

Research

How much do you really need to know?

According to Burns, who has had his chicks for a week now: "We did a bit of research, but not a huge amount." They bought a coop off of Craigslist, and then went to Pistils for their recommendations on chicks and supplies. He adds, "They were really helpful in getting us off the ground."

Walling has had his chickens for almost a year now and he did extensive research beforehand: multiple books and lots of time online.

"It was like developing the worst crush ever," says Flagg of the research. "Chicken books, chicken chat rooms... it was worse than a porn addiction." She compiled a carefully selected list of best breeds and then saw an ad on Craiglist: chickens, $5 or best offer. She picked out the four prettiest girls—and actually got them for free—but, she didn't consult her list. "It was just pure chicken lust," she admits. That was over three years ago and Flagg recently added two new chicks to her brood.

(What you need to know: Portland's ordinance on keeping urban livestock. Application for keeping more than three livestock at residence. Permit application requirements.)

The Investment

What's the time and money investment in chicken keeping?

Burns bought a coop off of Craigslist for $250, and expects to spend a bit more ($50-$100) building a caged run. He notes that the guy who sold him the coop kept his chickens alongside his house, next to the driveway, so you don't necessarily need to have a huge yard to have chickens.

"Chickens are vastly cheaper than a dog or cat," Walling is quick to point out, "and require about the same commitment in time/effort, relatively speaking."

Flagg made an upfront investment for a coop that she knew wouldn't ruin her marriage. "I knew it could get gross and I also knew what the actual construction of a coop could do to my relationship," she explains. "I adore my husband, but I don't expect him to build any more then he expects me to sew." She spent a few extra bucks and got an Eglu, which she describes as "the ant farm version of chicken coops." The Eglu is nicely packaged, cute, washable and contained. As a result of the Eglu's efficiency, Flagg spends very little time on cleaning and maintenance.

Number and Type of Chickens

Where do you start?

Burns purchased eight chicks of a mixed variety of 'exotic' breeds from Pistils, and says "Pistils is apparently the place to go for the more rare & showy breeds. Also bantams." The chicks were unsexed, which is why he bought eight. "According to the woman at Pistils, there is a 60% chance a chick will be a rooster," he explains. "We bought a sexed chick from the 'urban farm store' just to improve our odds of ending up with at least three hens."

Walling currently has two hens. He originally acquired three adult hens from some locals who were moving, but one was eaten by a raccoon. Something he calls a perpetual nuisance for chicken keepers. His hens are Easter Eggers, which he says "is a fancy way of saying they are mixed breed chickens that lay green/blue eggs." Walling says that most people incorrectly call them Araucanas or Ameraucanas, but those are actually rare pure breeds that also lay green or blue eggs.

Although Ms. Arkansas, Flagg's boss hen, was sold to her as Araucana, she is clearly of mixed lineage. Don't tell the judges! She also has a big Black Austrolorp named Astrid—Flagg describes her as "the heavy" or second in command in the group. And, finally, there is a Red Laced Wyandotte named Rita, of whom Flagg says, "Old, old gal, but damn if she isn't still laying on sunny days."

Last year, Flagg recalls that one of the neighbor kids brought her a fuzzy yellow chick. "She assumed I would want this responsibility as I was the chicken lady, " Flagg laughs, "Oh so wrong! Baby anythings take so much more effort." Evidently, according to Flagg, you can't put chicks in with the older hens, as they may kill anything cuter than them. She also notes that chickens can actually die of heartbreak if they are alone. "One night of the pitiful cries was enough," she recalls. "I intended to go to the feed store and dump the little fuzzy into the bin with the other ones, but it was past the season!" The store chicks were all feathering out, so she bought one of those instead. The chicks became friends and lived in her kitchen for what seemed like forever. The little yellow chick turned out to be a big buff-colored something named Carmella and her friend is a sleek showy Japanese Pheonix hen named Fauxe.

The Rewards

Does chicken-keeping have benefits?

Fresh, wholesome food is definitely a benefit for Walling, but he counts "a deeper connection to food production and animal husbandry, the companionship of personable birds, self-sufficiency and food security, and a unique and interesting pastime that others are interested in" as other compelling rewards.

Flagg says that her ladies are beautiful and peaceful to watch: "A glimpse of them out the window sets my heart at ease." Her hens have distinct voices, so she can tell who is cooing outside the kitchen door. The drama of their antics is also something she finds hilarious. "When they jump on my shoulder to get a better view of the yard work I'm doing or the burger I'm eating," she says, "it reminds me how spontaneity can be grounding. It makes you present." Plus, the eggs are damn good. Such a gift!

Advice for Prospective Chicken-Keepers

Wise words from people who've done it...

Flagg recommends getting the Eglu, because it makes chicken keeping so easy, clean and safe. She also advises wannabe chicken keepers to be prepared: "The ladies trick you. They will be your best gardening friend—attacking those evil weeds. But, once all the weeds are gone, be prepared to lose a couple hundred bucks in plants," she warns, "They go for the most expensive ones first. Always."

Walling recommends doing your research and says "that's all the advice you'll ever need, since personal experience varies widely."

Surprises

Unexpected results of chicken-keeping.

Walling has been most surprised by how open his neighbors in Sunnyside have been to his chickens. "Complaining neighbors have a lot of power when it comes to wrecking your chicken-raising efforts," he explains, "cultivating good relationships—free eggs don't hurt—is a must."

For Flagg, the most surprising thing about chickens, is that they lead to bees. "Yup, I added a bee hive" she laughs, "I blame the chickens."

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