Story Published:
Jul 13, 2008 at 10:38 PM CST
Story Updated:
Oct 15, 2009 at 1:58 PM CST
LEBANON, Mo. -- During World War 2, citizens planted victory gardens. Now, with a struggling economy, growing your own produce is even more popular. Others are hatching up another money-saving idea: the revival of yard birds.
Not since its beginnings in 1936 has Cackle Hatchery had a year like this.
"We're hatching 130,000 a week," said o-owner Nancy Smith. "This is the first time ever to have this huge a demand."
Smith and crew are almost too tired to crow about an incredible season of shipping out little cheepers.
"By now," Smith said, "we would be selling much fewer eggs, have some incubators turned off, maybe some people laid off. But we're needing more help than what we have right now."
A growing number of cities are improving or modifying laws to allow people to keep a limited number of chickens for fresh eggs, fertilizer and bug control. Always check with city hall before building a coop.
