Living like a Nica in the USA

**Jonh** · 05-12-2009, 09:41 AM

My Nica wife has occasionally expressed the desire to have chickens in our back yard, so we'll have eggs and sometimes chicken to eat. I've known for years that the city's zoning code prohibits "barnyard" animals in residential districts, so the idea never went anywhere.

Then, some weeks ago when the weather was cool and we slept with the windows open, I woke up at about 5am to the sound of roosters crowing. Felt like we were in Esteli. It was nice. It took a while to figure out where they were, but I found them on the way to taking my daughter to school, just a couple blocks from our house. They were wandering around someone's front yard.

They're still there now, so the neighbors must not have complained. But today there's this news story:

http://www.kansascity.com/105/story/1189350.html

Urban chicken movement taking roost in KC area

Across the country and the metropolitan area, people are joining the national urban chicken movement, sometimes turning outlaw to raise the birds.

The movement started with the rationale that raising chickens fits in with efforts toward local and pure foods, supporters say, and the eggs are fresh and flavorful. The animals also are entertaining pets, many say...

**bill_bly_ca** · 05-12-2009, 09:51 AM

Same is going on up here...

Wife is just itching to have 2 or 3 hens..

http://news.therecord.com/News/Local/article/338537

**Danpolley** · 05-12-2009, 10:01 AM

Is this a right or left "wing" issue

**bill_bly_ca** · 05-12-2009, 10:02 AM

Originally Posted by Danpolley

Is this a right or left "wing" issue

The issue is 1/2 price on Tuesdays...

**catahoula fan** · 05-12-2009, 10:06 AM

Ducks man, ducks is the way to go. We've got a few Muscovies here in Santa Cruz and I'm lovin' these things! These eggs are to die for, slightly larger than a chicken egg, and rich and creamy. Just one added to three chicken eggs makes for one heck of a tasty omelet in the morning. Gives the meal a beautiful color, tambien. We've only got two laying right now, but are looking to buy more.

They are the only duck not related to the Mallard, the don't make much noise just a small cheep and some huffing noises, and they're sure easy to care for. They simply love plantain leaves! Haven't butchered one yet but the meat is supposed to be similar to beef, veal specifically.

Been trying to track down more for a few weeks, but no go in this area yet. We got our first ones in Ochomogo so it's looking like we'll make another trip down that way soon.

Took the d*mn pig over to our friend's house as the sucker just wouldn't stay in his pen and I was worried about my puppies becoming a snack. Now we've got extra room to expand the duck pen. We'd eventually like to have a flock of 100 and make a business outa' it. Quizás sí, quizás no.

**Jonh** · 05-12-2009, 10:38 AM

We have wild muscovy ducks roaming the 'hood too. People feed them, of course, and they keep having litters of adorable little fuzzy yellow duckings. I'm surprised more haven't made it onto people's dinner table. And I'm surprised the cats haven't feasted on them.

**El Greco** · 05-12-2009, 01:39 PM

You have to know how to cook duck in order to appreciate it, and yes! It kinda taste like steak you have to cook it medium rare; Canard a L'Orange is one of my favorites
I would love to have my own hens, but Miami Dade County won't allow it

**Richit** · 05-12-2009, 04:31 PM

It's legal here in my county in Long Island New york about 50 miles from NYC, No roosters allowed and no more than 6 hens. My brother has 5 (one of his ridge backs ate one) The eggs are out of this world and the yolk is bright yellow.....Supposedly young hens are better eating, his are a few years old and we never tried eating them...