William Sonoma now selling chicken coops.

[FarPoint]

I find these adorable! I don't live in a house anymore; gone condo but if I did live in my old house, this is what I'd like to have...free range chickens! I'm impressed.


http://www.williams-sonoma.com/shop/agrarian-garden/agrarian-garden-chicken-coops/?cm_src=hppromo&cm_re=040912-_-SubHero-_-Chicken_Coops

snip>

THE EGGS COLLECTED FROM FREE-ROAMING HENS are unlike any you buy in the supermarket, boasting yellow-orange yolks and pure, clean flavor. Egg-laying chickens are a good source of sustainable, nutritious protein. Here are some important things to keep in mind when planning your own backyard flock.

[Warpy]

1. Oh, neat!

They're a lot better than the arrangements I usually see, good thing chickens aren't fussy.

Having the coop on wheels and the run light enough for a couple of people to move is a good idea, too. My next door neighbor re fences her chicken run every year and moves the garden over to the last year's run to take advantage of chicken generated fertilizer. I've mentioned that letting the chickens pick in the garden gets rid of a lot of pests like cabbage and tomato worms, but she hasn't yet trusted them that far.

[NJCher]

2. but what do you do with them in the winter?

And don't tell me the most obvious.

I would love them and couldn't do that.

So what do you do with them in the winter?

I love the garden idea.


Cher

[FarPoint]

4. Chickens need to be kept warm, fresh non-frozen water...

Depends on ones climate. Ask your local farmer.

Oh, they offer a few books on how to raise and care for the chickens. That was a good idea for William Sonoma to add that tool option. I bet they even have a help line.

[pinto]

3. Cool coops, but pricey, imo. Mother Earth News has some do-it-yourself plans,

or assemble yourself kits.

I'll attest to the big difference in free range "backyard" eggs. I get some from my sister and the local university has a big Ag department - they sell them at Famers' Market downtown.



(ed for spell)