Suburban Long Islanders Learn How To Raise Backyard Chickens | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

Suburban Long Islanders Learn How To Raise Backyard Chickens

Livestock are the new house pets.

11
Suburban Long Islanders Learn How To Raise Backyard Chickens
Abigail Wolfenberger

Winter’s hopefully flown the coop and a few of this year’s spring chickens have sprung.

But you won’t find them flocking in the barnyard. They're in suburban backyards. It’s the Long Island town, Levittown, that's turning these pecking order birds into poultry housepets.

"It’s something that’s becoming more and more popular as the trend for local food, local produce, you know, like homesteading," Gia Codispoti, Suffolk County Farm, and Education Center, 4-H animal science educator, said. "As all that gets more popular, people are really liking the idea of owning their own birds and getting eggs right out of their backyard."

But keeping a personal hen house doesn’t just come with a handful of eggs. It also comes with a lot of responsibilities and rules. Like, did you know New York State requires people to buy chicks in quantities of six?

Why six? The law is meant to wean out families who buy these animals on a whim and then chicken out when the work gets too demanding.

The Suffolk County Farm and Education Center also tries to prevent irresponsible behavior with events like their “Raising Backyard Chickens” lecture April 1st. Attendees were instructed on how to properly raise and care for their birds whether they were starting out with chicks or full.

"They’re not the farmers," Codispoti said. "These are people who, this a new venture for them. A lot of them haven’t really done anything like this in their life before. It’s actually really great that they care about their education, and they’re taking the responsibility of animal ownership."

Non-farmers like one of our very own here at Stony Brook University.

"My grandma was ill," Harte said. "She loves animals. She has her cats, but she needs something that would get her outside. She would have to go to the coop and pick up the eggs and she could pet the chickens. I was like, hmm, this is an outdoor activity slash she has to come to my house to do it."

There are half a dozen two-week old chicks at the Harte house. Come August, these little biddies, that’s farm talk for baby chickens, will produce up to six eggs a week.

"I’m excited because I’ve heard that they taste better than any other store-bought eggs that you can buy, so I’m definitely going to have like a little brunch party when they start laying," Harte said.

If you’re interested in starting your own coop, you can email Codispoti or visit the Suffolk County Farm and Education Center’s website for more information.
Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Taylor Swift in orange dress playing a moss-covered piano on stage with bright lights.

A three-and-a-half-hour runtime. Nine Eras. Eleven outfit changes. Three surprise songs. Zero breaks. One unforgettable evening. In the past century, no other performer has put on an electric performance quite like Taylor Swift, surpassing her fans ‘wildest dreams’. It is the reason supporters keep coming back to her shows each year. Days later, I’m still in awe of the spectacle ‘Miss Americana’ puts on every few days in a new city. And, like one of Taylor’s exes, has me smiling as I reminisce about the memories of the night we spent together.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

A Few Thoughts Every College Freshman Has

The transition into adulthood is never easy

24982
Mays Island
Courtney Jones

Today I started my third week of college at Minnesota State Moorhead. I have survived welcome week, finding my classes on the first day, and being an awkward loner in the dining hall. Even though I have yet to be here for a month, I have already experienced many thoughts and problems that only a new college student can relate to.

Keep Reading...Show less
Students walking on a sunny college campus with trees and buildings.

"Make sure to get involved when you're in college!"

We've all heard some variation of this phrase, whether it came from parents, other family members, friends, RAs, or college-related articles. And, like many clichés, it's true for the most part. Getting involved during your college years can help you make friends, build your resume, and feel connected to your campus. However, these commitments can get stressful if you're dealing with personal issues, need to work, or aren't sure how to balance classes and everything else going on during the semester.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

9 Reasons Why Friends Are Essential In College

College without friends is like peanut butter without jelly.

10402
Bridgaline Liberati and friends
Bridgaline Liberati

In college, one of the essential things to have is friends. Yes, textbooks, a laptop, and other school supplies are important but friends are essential. Friends are that support system everybody needs. The more friends you have the better the support system you have. But you also have someone to share experiences with. And don’t settle for just one or two friends because 8 out of 10 times they are busy and you are studying all alone. Or they have other friend groups that do not include you. Don’t settle for just one or two friends; make as many friends as you can. After the first couple of weeks of college, most friend groups are set and you may be without friends.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

The Power of Dressing Up

Why it pays to leave the hoodie at home.

7632
sneakers and heels
Sister | Brother Style - Word Press

For a moment your world is spinning. The phone alarm has just scared you awake and you’re flooded by daunting thoughts of the day ahead. You have three assignments due and little time to work on them because of your job. You’re running late because you’ve hit snooze one to many times after yesterday’s long hours. You dizzily reach for a hoodie, craving its comfort, and rush for a speedy exit, praying you will have time to pick up coffee. Does this sound familiar?

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments