As I take my dog for a walk around my rural neighborhood, I’ve noticed that quite a few of the backyards a pass have chickens strutting around. I guess chickens aren’t for the farm anymore. I’ve asked a couple of my friends who live in more dense urban neighborhoods, and they too say they have seen more and more chickens pop up in people’s backyards. Though just a little bit more research, I found out this appears to be a grown trend.

I invited one of my friends, who seems very into being ‘green’, over to share some of her knowledge, if she has any, about this growing trend to raise chickens. As I served her a refreshing drink on my back patio, she proceeded to tell me that this new trend really goes full circle. People are finding out that they can use the natural fertilizer for their gardens. She said that the backyard garden is coming back, so these gardeners find it safer knowing where the fertilizer comes from: chickens eating the bugs and the feed. She noticed my outdoor sink and commented on how that can come in very handy when I start growing my own garden and buy some chickens. I laughed, I never even entertained the thought. But, she told me that I’d enjoy the chickens, that I’ll find them relaxing when I go tend to my garden. She said it’s really a lot of fun and it would be a great project for my children.

Apparently, this whole going ‘green’ phenomena is becoming a common thing. People want to grow their own stuff and get fresh eggs in the morning. They want to experience farm life in a small scale version right in their own backyard. I have noticed, while walking my dog, that there does seem to be small plotted gardens in those backyards where I spotted the chickens. People are definitely changing their lifestyles a bit, they’re having more gardens. I still find it easier to buy my eggs and vegetables at the store, but maybe one day, I’ll go green and catch up to the trend.