Are you interested in raising a few chickens in your backyard but not quite sure how to go about it? There are lots of reasons for raising backyard chickens. Some people simply enjoy watching and caring for them. Parents like for their children to learn the responsibilities and joys and sorrows of caring for animals. Often people just want to have fresh eggs. Some people want to raise show poultry.
Granville Cluckers 4-H Club will host a public meeting at 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 13 at the Expo Center, 4185 U.S. Highway 15 south of Oxford, at which they will answer questions about town ordinances concerning poultry, raising chickens in the backyard and what is required, where chicks can be purchased, what feed is needed, types of coops needed for this area, and other questions that come up. Bette Laursen, the 4-H club leader, said there will be information about the ordinances for Wake County and Wake Forest.
Paul Hesse, an Oxford resident since 1981 and owner of Empire Aviation Flight School based at the Oxford-Henderson Airport, will be speaker and moderator. Hesse says “From the age of eleven until eighteen, I raised chickens for eggs, Sunday dinner and poultry shows.” He won numerous awards and trips with his chickens. For the past ten years, Hesse has again started raising chickens for fun and shows and has won numerous competitions with his birds.
Cluckers, who range in age from 5 to 18, will also help in answering questions and Southern States will have a display of coops and chicken feeds.
Everyone interested in chickens is invited to attend. For further information, please call Laursen 919-693-6222 or email gooseriver@embarqmail.com. Cluckers also have a Facebook page, Granville Cluckers 4-H Club.
