Henside the Beltline
Roosters aren’t required for laying eggs.
Yep that’s right fellows. Roosters are only needed to fertilize the eggs. I learned this at the Hen-side the Beltline Tour D’Coop this past Saturday. Its the 4th annual tour of Raleigh’s Urban Chickens & their coops.
I left downtown in a downpour Saturday morning. I was determined to see some chickens. I arrived in five points-at one of the ticket stands-where the sun was shining and the roads were dry. I grabbed a map, made a donation and started walking through the familiar neighborhood. I lived in five points for years, ran down these very streets, unaware that chickens were on the other side of the fence.
I visited four coops in five points-Perry, Dare, and two on Aycock St-and one in Cameron Park. All the hosts were friendly and answered questions from their inquiring tour guests. I learned the most from the host at the coop on Aycock. He called his birds by name and built a hen house that matches his own home. It was beautiful as were his lovely ladies. He said that each bird produced about two to three eggs a day. Someone asked how his neighbors liked the noise, but he said the girls never got too loud. They were excited by the crowd that morning so they were louder than usual, but normally only make noise when they’re laying eggs.
Most of the birds were in wire and wooden coops, but the hens roamed freely in the yard at the coop on Calvin St. They were minding their own business digging along the yard’s edge as I walked by them.
The tour was bustling with crowds at each stop. I met a couple from Chapel Hill and one from Durham, who each had their own backyard coops and were on the tour to get tips. I didn’t realize the popularity of urban chickens. One day when I have a yard, I hope to have a few ladies of my own.
For more information: hensidethebeltline.blogspot.com
Comments
Not only are roosters not needed for producing eggs, they can be some of the meanest animals around. My mom has about 12 chickens at her house, and used to have a rooster names Gus. Gus would be nice one minute, eating out of her hand and letting her pick him up, but then ill as heck the next minute. She had to keep a broom outside the door because sometimes he would run her down and flog her, and she would have to hit him off with it.
She eventually sold him, but still has the other chickens. They lay eggs almost daily, meaning she never has to buy eggs from the grocery store.
My husband and I want to have some backyard coops and a miniature goat. Love it!