Miss Adventurenaut: Chicken Envy

Photo Credit: Joe Sartore

I have self-diagnosed Chicken Envy. It's nothing serious, yet. It seems as though the whole Suburban Homesteading movement is taking hold, and with it are a bunch of adorable chickens living in peoples backyards. Chickens aren't just for farms anymore! I want to join in the fun so very much, but a few things keep cropping up like,

Do I really have time to care for these?
There are a million and one other home projects that should take time/money precedence
Technically speaking it's not legal to own farm animals on less than 2 acres in my Suburbia

But still, I want chickens! I love the thought of fresh eggs and just having some more animals around besides Dante and my husband (badum pshh). About a year ago we put an offer in for a parcel of land in the Mojave Desert with the intent to eventually move and live sustainability "off the grid". You can view the mini tour here. Maintaining some livestock was obviously in the planning, but even though that California Dream fell through I still would like to have some chickens. And a goat or two. And bees. And a Tilapia pond. But I digress...

Chickens! No loud rooster, just tiny bug-eatin', compost-makin', egg producers. Sigh. So while I lust over others' chickens I will continue to do research and plan. We'd probably build our own coop, but here are few designs I like, from simple to elaborate (for super posh chickens).