Thousands of chickens die in a fire at a Stanwood farm

From Komo News:

Thousands of chickens die in a fire at a Stanwood farm.  

"...The three buildings - each about 60 feet wide and 600 feet long - burned to the ground with chickens inside.

Firefighters estimate the damage at $2.2 million...."

I can't even imagine the devastation.  When you are a farmer, it's not just your livelihood, it's your life.  I am sorry to see another farm disappear.  Recent floods and other emergencies have been claiming farms all over the state.   I strongly believe in local farms, their simple and direct connection to every aspect of our lives.  

Recently, when Farmer Boy wanted me to stop our organic share from Terry's Berries, I said no.  Buying organic fresh produce from a local farm is not just a whim or trend for me.  I am putting my money where my mouth is.  Buying local and local organic products (produce, eggs, meat, etc) is my political stand.  I do not know whether this farm was organic, but it is local.  The less we have local farms, the less we are connected to the reality. 

Chickens are stars of Sunset, April 2009

(Elizabeth Jardina with her chicken Ruby, Sunset Magazine April 2009, Photo: E. Spencer Toy)

Sunset Magazine published a short article about growing laying chickens - How to Raise Chickens.  It is short, sweet, and good for beginners.  I would warn though - you don't have to buy a coop, you can build one very easy and fast. There are many resources of building a chicken coop online.  Also, the article doesn't mention that they need a roost inside the coup, not just "... a secure hen-house with a roof to sleep in...". 

Chickens and gardening - massive misrepresentation!

(Sunset Magazine, April 2009, Photo: Jim Henkens)

Sunset Magazine, April 2009, had an article on growing veggies in your own yard - Digging into Veggies.  The first part of the article is about Willi Galloway from Seattle.  She gives tips on how to grow a garden.  I am not an expert on gardening, so I have no comments there.  

The part that really bothered me was a picture, which is not online, where Willi is feeding chickens in her garden.  It's really a shame that the magazine failed to mention the most important tip - keep the chickens out of your garden!  People, who do both, separate chickens and gardens.  Chickens destroy gardens and lawns - they eat everything, they scratch the ground, they will eat your veggies and tomatoes.  

I am sure Willi does keep them separate, otherwise there would be no garden to brag about.  Another explanation - those chickens are just models!