When environmentally conscious home owners and economic hazards meet, good old-fashioned practices come around again.  And this year, “bird” is the word.  Who knew that modern times would taste so much like chicken?

Yes, chickens are all the rage in communities like Denver, Boulder, Fort Collins, and Colorado Springs. Why? First off, if you have a garden, chickens make a great alternative to controlling bugs with pesticides. Also, they provide a nice, natural fertilizer for gardens and other agriculture, and they lay eggs.

These little cluckers make a great addition to backyards, depending on the yard, and the neighborhood. Check your neighborhood ordinances and covenants, of course, especially regarding roosters. You’ll need a permit, and information, as they need just as much care as any other small animal under your care.

For more information, contact the Colorado State University’s extension program or the Denver Botanic Gardens for their City Chicken seminar. Or look for classes in your neck of the woods on how to raise your own urban chicken coop.