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Chickens in the Garden

November 12th, 2011

I’ve declared my hopes of getting a few chickens here before, and I may try to sneak them in someday. They’re currently outlawed by our HOA. We keep thinking about trying to get the rules changed, but haven’t taken the plunge yet. Generally our HOA rules aren’t enforces unless the neighbors complain, so I could probably get chickens without any trouble. Our neighbors are all very laid back about all the craziness that goes on here at Chiot’s Run.

Since I can’t have chickens yet, I decided to get this beauty at the farmer’s market. She also has a sister for sale at the market which I may buy soon. They’re not real chickens, but they sure are cute. Generally I’m not much of one for kitschy garden art, but I was drawn to these ladies. I love that they’re made by a local artisan. They won’t be producing any eggs for my kitchen, but they do make me smile whenever I see them. No doubt I’ll really be appreciating them in the winter when they’ll be happily standing outside my kitchen window even on the coldest snowiest days!

Do you have any garden art in your garden?

14 Comments to “Chickens in the Garden”
  1. B ryan N. on November 12, 2011 at 7:27 am

    no garden art just 25 free range chickens that we open up the gardens to this time of year…the gardens are kept fenced off from them when stuff is growing because of their natural tendency to peck and scratch at the veggies

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  2. Melissa on November 12, 2011 at 9:17 am

    Love it! No garden art here, had a lot in my old garden in Alabama. Maybe it’s time to change that. I definitely think you should sneak in some chickens. We are on month #6 fighting with our city council about trying to change our local ordinance to allow backyard chickens!

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  3. risa on November 12, 2011 at 9:21 am

    We do have poultry, and they are allowed into the garden for about a month of every year,,for cleanup.

    We have only three pieces of garden art; here is one that is mounted on the house:

    http://risashome.blogspot.com/2009/01/visions-of-steamed-veggies.html.

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  4. Sofie Dittmann on November 12, 2011 at 9:21 am

    kitschy? that’s a beautiful ornament. oh, and yay us for not having to deal w/ a HOA regarding alptekin’s plans to start a zoo back there…

    Reply to Sofie Dittmann's comment

  5. KimH on November 12, 2011 at 9:30 am

    Cute chick ya got there..

    Out in my backyard sanctuary garden I have several sets of chimes, one of which my honey & his friend made me years ago with pipes and fishing line.. It has a beautiful sound. I have a beautiful cast iron chiminea out there along with a water fountain, and a few 3″decorative balls thrown around here & there. There are also a couple pretty wire bird tea lite candle holders who live out there.. Sounds like a lot but its quite subtle.

    When we had a plot at a community garden, m’honey decided we needed garden art & one day while I was out there working, he went somewhere and came back with a half dozen big, bright pink flamingos & a big bright flag..
    OMG… I wasnt happy about that… lol.. but I resisted my urge to tell him no way in hades was he putting that stuff in my garden.. He was so proud of himself and having fun… It WAS fun just watching him enjoy himself with it, so I just kept my peace and held my tongue.. lol. He loves kitschy stuff. Me, not so much. ;)

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  6. Rhonda on November 12, 2011 at 10:30 am

    My garden art serves another purpose besides the “art” factor. I have a little pagoda that acts as a toad house. :-)

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  7. Victoria on November 12, 2011 at 12:16 pm

    Do you know if your HOA is based upon local laws regarding “livestock”? If the rules are not, a form and a few signatures from your neighbors might be all you need to get started.

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  8. Rick on November 12, 2011 at 12:18 pm

    To bad about your HOA. If it were me I’d go about trying to get the rules changed. We have had some really sad stories in our area lately from people who tried to “sneak” in chickens and a year later the city caught them (neighbors complained) and they had to sell their flocks.

    We live on a slightly larger lot (1/2 acre) that is zoned for animals so chickens are legal for us. We have had our chickens now for about 6 months and love them. They are easy to take care of, eat all the bugs and we are getting close to 3 dozen eggs a week!!

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  9. goatpod2 on November 12, 2011 at 12:36 pm

    We have lots of garden art here, we bought different cement animal statues of the different animals that we have or have had on our farm. My Grandma collects chicken stuff but it has to do with her last name though.

    Amy

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  10. mistresseve on November 12, 2011 at 2:11 pm

    I do have a few little things scattered around in the flowerbeds, mostly fake toads, and a small gargoyle by my door. And wind chimes. I’m a wind chime freak, but I have way more inside my house than outside, so they are not too noisy for the neighbors.
    Good luck with the chicken thing. I too would like to have a small flock, but I’m renting right now. When it is time I will most definitely check the local ordinances first and take them into consideration before I buy a home.

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  11. Kathi Cook on November 12, 2011 at 5:01 pm

    A little cement rabbit that I tuck in my veggie garden near the lettuces, and a fiew other cement pieces (bird bath, and small statuary). My yard is small so I have to be very selective. I like to place them so they are almost hidden by foliage and it is a surprise to come upon them. I love your chicken. We can’t have chickens either due to the “urban” area I live in. I think it is a very old fashioned law that needs updating. Our town zoning requires 3 acres to have chickens. I think that is a ridiculous requirement.

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  12. MAYBELLINE on November 12, 2011 at 6:20 pm

    Yes. There’s a gigantic whirligig gizmo that spins like a giant screw with the push of the breeze. I also have a few metal cats similar to your chick. None of these are overwhelming.

    Reply to MAYBELLINE's comment

  13. Sincerely, Emily on November 13, 2011 at 11:55 am

    Same here – Want chickens. I have asked all the neighbors directly around us and they be don’t mind if I get them. HOA say NO. We are on 1 acre, so plenty of room. I still think one day I will sneak them in (not talking 20, just 3-5). I have also thought about trying to get the rule changed. If I start that process and it doesn’t work I know I can never sneak them in since they will be watching me.

    Reply to Sincerely, Emily's comment

  14. Jennifer Krieger on November 15, 2011 at 12:29 pm

    YES! I have a DUCK! Just like your chicken. I believe it’s actually an old weather vane. Years ago we had real ducks, lovely. When the gods smile on me I’ll get ducks or chickens.
    You have a HOA? How much land do you have? I pictured you out in the country somewhere.

    Reply to Jennifer Krieger's comment

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This is a daily journal of my efforts to cultivate a more simple life, through local eating, gardening and so many other things. We used to live in a small suburban neighborhood Ohio but moved to 153 acres in Liberty, Maine in 2012.

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