The Revitalist

Chickens in the city have been around for a while now. One member of AHF is very familiar with the trials of urban chickens (foxes, skunks, opossums, etc.). The Times has a sweet article on the trend, noting that often times "chickens are the gateway animal for urban farming" and that people who raise chickens for their eggs are more likely to treat them as pets than those who raise them for meat. Online forums have opened up at thecitychicken.com and backyardchickens.com for people who want help designing their coop or dealing with brooding hens. As the article points out it's not just a upper class hobby farming, there is a serious hipster contingent, as well – like the Madison, WI "poultry underground" that persuaded the city to rezone hens (madcitychickens.com) and the liquor store owner in Red Hook who puts her backyard fresh eggs into Whiskey Sours and Ramos gin fizzes. Some people are looking for meat that they can guarantee the health and quality of, some are looking to reconnect with their food, and some are just looking for a pet that's not a chocolate lab.