Submitted By: John Kiefer (jhkiefer@comcast.net)
Let me tell you, 'It's something special!
Holding that miracle in your hands, sometimes still warm. Into the
morning pan with a splash of golden sun filled with essential health.
What a way to start school or work.
Well, it all started down on the farm, 'small' farm that is, in Menlo Park next to the 'big' farm, as in Stanford University. In the early 40's, I was just a youngster, there were few neighbors, and lots of open space to play cowboys and Indians. Mike, my companion dog, was always the Indian, which included falling down and playing dead.
On our family farm, there were vineyards, orchards, a serious vegetable garden, and a variety of small farm animals. The only pets were the dog and cat. Everything else was fair game, so to speak.
My love of the farm was temporarily displaced by priorities of education, career, marriage and a family. We had been transferred to L.A. for six years, and it took about that long to adjust. Finally, an opportunity to return to the Bay Area came along, and, of course, we jumped on it.
It was now the mid 60's as we settled into our 2/3 of an acre with nearby schools of state acclaim. In the process I met a DVC ecology teacher who had researched the optimum housing for a chicken palace (coop). I felt the adrenaline rush from deep inside where that 'farm' part of John, having been displaced in pursuit of Mr. 'Corporate', gushed forth.
It was now just past Christmas, and knowing Spring is the time to buy chicks in Petaluma, could I build the palace in time? Tripling the normal construction time to recognize my previous record of construction errors (tear out & redo's), yes, I could do it in time.
At about 2 months, having been assured by the Petaluma Feed & Fuel folks that the six were hens, it became readily apparent a rooster had hidden out in the clutch of hens. Well, he had to go! There's a limit as to just how neighborly, neighbors are willing to be. How's that 'Partridge in a Pear Tree' song go? 'Five laying hens'.
It was win-win. The chickens had there palace, keeping them warm and secure from the 'night creatures' and also an outdoor run for scratching, worming, and bathing. While the family loved their daily fresh eggs with sun flower golden yokes.
You may be asking, When do I get to the 'bad news'. Well, okay! Sorry to disappoint, but there ain't no chicken poop smell. Why? Because the coop is designed for maximum ground air flow, plus 10 inches of mulch that they have created. The result is that the poop is quickly scratched into the mulch and dried. Hence, no smell at all. Yes, the chickens live on this 'heavenly earth', and not off the ground on wire.
Well, what about flies? With quick drying poop, there is no special attraction for flies.
And what about noise? As I said, the unwelcome young rooster had to leave, so the only remaining noise is the cackle of a hen immediately upon egg release, as she announces to the world, 'that god, it's over with for today'.
What happens to the older chickens? Egg production drops off after three years, so I thank them for doing what they are designed to do, lay eggs. Also, for their contribution to my health and to the growth of more fruit & vegetables. Finally, I thank them for being transformed into chicken liver pâte, if Summer, or chicken vegetable winter soup. Yes, I process / butcher the retired chickens, and start a new cycle in the Spring with 3 day old chicks.
I am self sufficient for meat, which means I don't buy meat. I raise all of my meat for my table. Oh, did I forget to say, I also raise rabbits and pigeons. Yes, for food. (Future articles)
Promoting Lafayette Sustainability
- My wellness MD tells me to eat 3 eggs /day. Eggs are one of the richest natural sources of protein, vitamins and minerals. Research shows that eggs from chickens that eat natural vegetation daily, have significantly less cholesterol than from the store. I prune fruit trees & grapevines daily to provide more than 50 % of their diet. Eating your own eggs reduces the demand for egg cartoons.
- The chicken manure is immediately useable by myself and friends for garden fertilizer. The natural chicken scratching converts the 'hot poop' into lovely loam, which enriches our soil. Result is less demand for commercial fertilizers, and reduces toxic run off into our streams.
- In the neighborhood, 'Papa John' is synonymous with 'Can I go see the animals?'. Young ones just want to visit the 'pet's'. A little older, and 'can I go check for eggs? Can I help feed? They connect with the animals, while learning that not all chickens are white or brown, nor are the eggs. A high school neighbor, after caring for my animals while I was gone, announced to his parents, that 'he would like to raise his own chickens'. Asked why? "I love eggs, and if I had chickens, I would have eggs every day" Wow! Learning to care for the chickens, and the possibility of selling extra eggs to appreciative neighbors offers a significant source of identity and responsibility.
After 40 years of having fun and food, there is much more to share about chickens. But maybe that's enough for this article. I hope you have enjoyed my story, as I have enjoyed sharing it with you.
To Learn More
- For the 'rest of the story', including: building a chicken coop, buying chicks and feed, maintenance, and much more:
- Please visit my home (John's Place), and we'll have lots of fun and conversation - animals, creek, bonsai, vegetable garden, fruit trees and grapevines. Don't forget to bring the kids!
- Email, asking me to write more on raising animals for food and health.
Good bye, Papa John
Contact Information:
'Papa' John Kiefer, 925-284-5497 Email: jhkiefer@comcast.net
