For those ambitious residents who want to be absolutely sure that the eggs and chickens they are eating are organic raising them is a guarantee. The City of Milwaukee requires an annual permit allowing the raising chickens but not roosters.
Only four chickens are allowed per city lot and they are to be kept penned with access to a proper shelter. Keep this in mind when preparing the coop area. Lauren Ware in her article on About.com suggests an outdoor area of a minimum of 3 feet per chicken and a minimum of 10 feet per chicken for the indoor coop.
To prepare the pen, fire the ground and cover with about four inches of sand this will keep the area germ free and give the chickens a good organic and disease free spot to scratch and be chickens. Chicken coop wire is least expensive for the enclosure.
Feed stores carry organic feed or you can put together your own using organic seeds and dried vegetables. Outdoors they will have access to insects. A small worm farm to raise mealworms is a guarantee that the insects the chickens are eating are organic.
Minnie Rose Lovgreen's, “Recipe for Raising Chickens?” gives more ideas and personal experiences on raising chickens.
The Milwaukee ordinance states in, “Article ii. Domesticated chickens, purpose; Whereas, the keeping of chickens in the city supports a local, sustainable food system by providing an affordable, nutritious source of protein through fresh eggs. The keeping of chickens also provide free, quality, nitrogen-rich fertilizer; chemical-free pest control; animal companionship and pleasure; weed control; and less noise, mess and expense than dogs and cats.”
The City of Milwaukee is doing their part by encouraging the residence to raise their own food and chickens will provide an organic alternative providing fresh eggs and meat.
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