Erica says you shouldn't get backyard hens, is she right?

Faverolle Cockerell by steve p2008

Perhaps today’s show topic seems counter intuitive to the Urban Chicken Podcast’s mission of encouraging and supporting people in their pursuit of backyard chickens. Erica, author of NW Edible Life, recently wrote a compelling article making the case why you absolutely should not get backyard chickens.

This is not your run-of-the-mill, tired, anti-chickens rant that we all have come to know and hate. This is actually an interesting article that makes a reasoned argument. Chickens are living, dependent creatures and their owners owe them a certain amount of duty. Before you get your first hens – let’s talk about a couple issues that you need to be aware of and know what you’re are going to do.

Mousse al Cioccolato by Truth82

In Sally’s Sidenotes, I share a wonderfully simple and sinfully delicious recipe that uses up 10 whole eggs! This recipe comes from Corinna of Real Time Farms Blog who shared her grandmother’s chocolate mousse recipe. I have re-written and streamlined her recipe below. I have also provided a link to Corinna post below with the recipe so that you can read the original.

Corrina’s Grandma’s Chocolate Mousse Recipe

Ingredients

1 lb high, premium grade baking chocolate

1/2 cup granular sugar

1/2 cup water

3 teaspoons vanilla extract

10 eggs – separated yolks/whites

Process

In a double boiler melt together one pound of high quality, premium grade baking chocolate with ½ granulated sugar and ½ cup water. Stir mixture regularly. When the chocolate mixture has the consistency of icing – remove it from the heat and let it cool down, stirring occasionally.

Separate your 10 eggs. Mix your 10 yolks with 3 teaspoons of vanilla extract. Beat the egg yolk and vanilla mixture together well.

Add the well-beaten egg yolk/vanilla mixture to the cooled chocolate mixture.

Next – take the remaining 10 egg whites and beat them on very speed until stiff peaks hold. Then gently fold the stiff egg whites into the chocolate mixture and place in serving dish or dishes to be refrigerated at least 12 hours before being served to eat.

Corinna describes this mouse as being like eating a luxurious dark chocolate bar with a spoon. She also suggests that the dessert is so rich that about ½ to ¾ cups per guest ought to do them.

One other personal housekeeping note, I apologize again for providing only an abbreviated show last week. Last week, I was so sick that the feeling here was less the stoic,”The show must go on!” and a lot more like, the show barely went on. After spending several days nursing what I thought was a terrible case of the flu and a cough, I have just gone to the doctor and learned that I have pneumonia for the first time in my life. I’m not sure how long it is going to take me to battle this illness. I will continue to try to produce high quality content for you the listeners while I recuperate – though this may affect my voice on the show for the near future.

Show Resources:

Ryan Nickum — Chicken Coops are Real Estate Selling Point LINK
NJ Fascist’s Idiotic Letter to Editor Railing Against Backyard Chickens LINK
Erica, NW Edible Life, “You Absolutely Should Not Get Chickens” LINK
My Pet Chicken, article discussing how long hens can lay (17 yr old Buff Orpington still laying on occasion!) LINK

Sally’s Sidenotes: