Barnyard Chickens are the New Family Pet

Feeling peckish? For less than $100 a year, you can re-"coop" your appetite by raising barnyard chickens. They are rapidly becoming the new pet of choice, beating out even dogs in some areas. 

"I think this goes along with a desire for food safety and more control over the food we place on our tables," said Regina Wolf-Fritz, public program coordinator for the Natick Community Organic Farm.

For $50 per year and a visit from the Natick Board of Health, you can be in the chicken raising business, eating eggs from your own backyard.

"Many families are choosing to have chickens as pets," Wolf-Fritz said. "Families want to teach their children skills that shouldn't be lost."

With all of the chemicals and pesticides in our food sources today, many are looking for a way to get back to nature and harvest food for their families that they know is safe.

"It's about having more control over the food source," Wolf-Fritz said. "This is a great way to get back to nature with very little necessary space and minimal work."

On Tuesday, Feb. 29 at 7 p.m.,  Barbara Emerson, a master gardener and chicken expert, will host a class at the Natick Community Organic Farm.

"I first became involved with chickens when I was in advertising for Horticultural Magazine," Emerson said. "I stay involved because they are just so entertaining. Each chicken and each breed has its' own personality and they really do entertain for hours."

Emerson's class is a primer on all things chicken.

"This is a soup-to-nuts how-to for the backyard chicken raiser," Wolf-Fritz said. "Class participants will also have the opportunity to purchase their chickens through the farm, making a bulk order easier."

Normally, chickens need to be purchased in groups of 25, but if you attend the class you can order in a group and share.

A one week old layer is $4.50 per chicken, but keep in mind this aged chicken will need to be treated like a baby— kept warm, handled carefully and regularly fed. For $10 you can purchase a six-week old layer which will be able to be outside almost right away, according to Wolf-Fritz.

Emerson's class is $36 for non-members and $32 for NCOF members.

"We are going to cover information from the early planning stages to owning multiple chickens," Emerson said. "You are welcome even if you are not ready to buy or if you already have chickens and want to share information. We will talk about the right type of coop, the amount of space needed and much more."

It is important to know that predators are a possible concern.

"Like any pet, you need to be emotionally prepared for their loss," Emerson said. "You will not attract rats, etc., if you keep your food covered, but predators are a concern. The life span of a chicken is 15 years, but it is not likely they will make that in a home environment."

For more information or to sign up for the class visit www.natickfarm.org or call 508-655-2204.