permaculture

[David Kahn <david@sustainablehabitats.org>]

Chicken? National Security!
For a few months now, I have been raising my own small flock of chickens 
(Six hens and a rooster). I live on a 1/2 acre permaculture demo site in 
the city of Los Angeles (www.sustainablehabitats.org). Until I started 
my own flock it was hard to imagine how much value these chicken can be. 
It goes way beyond just meat,eggs or money!
They provide me and two families with enough eggs, the soil fertility is 
way up, plus as a neighborhood attraction they have been such a great 
show educating both kids and their parents with basic knowledge they 
just did not know. Getting connected with my neighbors on many levels is 
invaluable. The chickens are very happy, they don't eat grain or chicken 
feed they much prefer foraging on whatever is there. To my astonishment 
they are feeding off grass and insects all day long while totally 
ignoring their chicken feed. If this continues, I will be very happy too!
Considering that in the US we waste more than half of the food we buy.  
I can see how these chicken can feed on some of that waste if need be 
especially that few of us compost their food waste. I highly recommend 
and think it is necessary for all of us to keep chickens in our yards if 
not for their intrinsic value for our food security! think about it.