Yesterday was the Phoenix Permaculture Guild’s annual tour de coop — a city-wide tour of more than a dozen backyards of families raising birds. To say this is kind of day — one spent with girlfriends, laughter, gardens, animals and lots of opportunity to take photographs — is perfect isn’t quite strong enough emotionally. I was like a five year old on Christmas morning. I bounced around all week waiting to fly the coop and peck around with my chicks before we could chicken coop and run! (Some opportunities are such fabulous fodder for my elementary school sense of punny humor.)
Yes, my friends are patient. They also, on occasion, pretend to dance like chickens:
One home had a very thematic backyard and a couple birds roaming:
Another had “high security” for their chickens:
But really, the winner winner chicken dinner in my book was the home that had the most elaborate and gorgeous garden I’ve ever seen. Most of which, was in their front yard. (Viva la permaculture!)
Of course, they also had 20 chickens and a bunch of fruit trees. I have to guess they sell their eggs and produce at the farmer’s market. I cannot imagine having 20 eggs nearly every day doesn’t quickly become a pain unless you are gathering to sell.
Of course this day did nothing to squelch my love of chickens and my continued desire to have a tiny urban homestead with a gaggle of my own animals.
Yep. Can’t wait. Old McDonley will have a farm.
~K