Islanders curious about backyard chickens

More than 60 people gathered at the Farm Centre in Charlottetown on Saturday to learn how to keep chickens in their own backyards.

Christina McCarville of Mont Carmel has been thinking about getting chickens to help save money on groceries, and to be more self-sustainable.

"A lot of things are more expensive these days, so if we can cut costs, that's a bonus," she said.

• 5 things to know before getting backyard chickens

A lot of things are more expensive these days, so if we can cut costs, that's a bonus. Christina McCarville

The potentialchicken farmers were told that if they're not ready to own their own, they can always rent some chickens. Tara Stewart rented two chickens last summer, and now she wants more for her backyard in Milltown Cross.

"I definitely think I have discovered sort of a chicken person within myself last summer having the two chickens, and so now upgrading to four and then maybe next year having my own year round.We'll just see how it goes," she said.

She said it's important for her to know where her food is coming from.

"You could get organic feed and organic eggs and know that it's healthier and the chickens are free-range, they're roaming around other than when you've got them locked in in the evenings and at nighttime."

Donna Glass of Morell has raised meat birds before, but now wants them for eggs.

"I already have an idea to put chicken wiring around my garden because I'd like them to be as free-range as possible, although I am concerned there are foxes and raccoons in my area so it was really good today to find out some of the tips."

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