Chicken and Egg - Janice Cole [33]
As we rounded the corner, I both saw and heard it in the same instant. Marty reached for me as if to hold me back. The light outside was dappled, but the sun seemed to be at a weird angle, causing everything to look slightly out of focus. My eyes started rapidly blinking. We slowly and reluctantly walked over to look, like gawkers at an ambulance scene. The leash was back in our neighbor’s hand, taut and barely holding back the dog, which was still straining against it. Her bark had subsided. Apparently there was a gap in the fence. Luckily, the chickens had made it to the coop. I found them cowering in the deep recesses, away from the door.
It’s hard to build a fence when your hands are shaking. I couldn’t let go of the guilt as I worked that weekend. Chickens are prey animals. With few natural defenses, they are easy targets for all manner of predators. The list is long: eagles, hawks, owls, raccoons, possums, mink, skunks, foxes, snakes, coyotes, weasels, and yes, sometimes even dogs and cats. Birds of prey attack from above, while raccoons are smart enough to manipulate the door of a coop. A small possum can slip through chicken wire, and a fox will dig to get under a fence. I felt overwhelmed. I had thought my birds were safe. As I worked on the fence, I kept worrying: What about next time? The neighbors might not be there to catch their runaway dog. Next time the chicks might not be so lucky. My hands continued to shake as I strengthened the fence.
COOP TOUR
You’re hooked. Chickens are what you want, but first you need a coop. Where do you start? If you’re all thumbs, or prefer to keep your hands clean, look for a premade house. They come in all styles, from barnyard to chic, delivered right to your door. At least one company, Omlet, will also deliver your chickens to complete the deal.
You can also build a coop yourself. Just remember, if you’re in an urban area, you have neighbors. Keep them in mind when you’re building your coop, and make it aesthetically pleasing. A nice-looking coop doesn’t have to cost anything more than a ramshackle one. Many urban areas now host coop tours. Plan to attend one and talk to those in your area who have built coops. You’ll find they’re glad to give you lots of ideas and tips.
Coops come in all shapes and sizes, so how do you know how much room to provide? Recommendations will vary, but the accepted rule is four square feet per bird. There should be a total of at least ten square feet per bird for the outdoor and indoor space combined. If the birds are simply sleeping in the coop and not spending any daytime there, other than laying time, you can get by with a smaller coop. Also, smaller birds make do with less space than larger birds.
Keep in mind the coop is a home for birds, not people. Chickens are ground-dwelling birds that enjoy roaming during the day, looking for new food sources. They are creatures of habit and always return to the same area every evening to roost. Chickens in the wild will roost in trees, so every coop should have a sheltered, elevated roosting area for the chickens to comfortably sleep at night. Hens also need a secluded area to lay their eggs. They prefer an area that gives them privacy, so try to be accommodating and they’ll reward you with eggs.
Birds need the normal amenities of light and air, but the most important consideration is keeping your chickens safe from predators. That means all openings must be protected with closures that predators are unable to open.
Baked Eggs with Basil-Mint Pesto
I’ve been making basil-mint pesto for years, since the time I didn’t have enough basil for my usual pesto and added mint to make up the difference. The combination is very refreshing—perfect for early summer. This recipe is like a deconstructed pesto: the herbs are combined with a hint of garlic and just enough olive oil to make a