City Dwellers Try Raising Chickens

More and more Americans are showing an interest in organic and locally-produced food. As the interest increases, raising chickens has been gaining popularity in some American cities. Poultry farming may not be right for everyone. But the business seems to have a bright future.

“Look, we got three eggs this time.”

Collecting eggs is a daily pleasure for the Hurst family. Naomi Hurst says her family started to raise chickens in the back of their home in Maryland last October.

“I have been wanting to try having backyard chickens for a couple years now. And really just didn’t have the time to build my own coop and then look out where to buy chickens. And then we stumbled upon Rent a Coop.”

Rent a Coop is a chicken rental business. Tyler Phillips launched the company with a partner in May of 2012.

“It comes with the mobile coop on wheels, two egg-laying hens, feed, bedding, water fowl, feed bowl, and our 24-hour chicken hotline. You can call with any questions. ”

After the four weeks have passed, individuals can extend the rental agreement, return everything or purchase the animals and supplies.

Tyler Phillips designs and makes the coops -- buildings where the birds are kept. He says he wants to do as little damage as possible to the environment.

“We always try to have as many recycled materials as possible. And I want the coops to be safe for kids, number one. And I want the chickens to be comfortable. I want them to have access to the grass while being inside the coop. And I want it to be easily movable, light weight.”

Mr. Phillips says the chicken coop rental business came from his love of animals. He grew up on his parents’ farm, near Washington, DC.

The Hursts hope their farm teaches their daughter to be caring and responsible.

“The eggs are yummy.”

“I don’t think we’ve ever thanks where food comes from. But whenever we pick up the eggs we always say, ‘thank you, ladies.’ That’s really something that is hard to teach other than having an animal in your backyard that delivers food to you. So it’s been a great learning opportunity for my daughter, too.”

Some cities require people have to large pieces of land if they want to raise farm animals. Others require an agreement with neighbors, limit the number of chickens -- or even ban the birds. Tyler Phillips expects that will change as interest in small poultry coops grows.

“I see cities around the DC area changing laws almost monthly and a different city will change the law to being pro-chicken. That is happening all around the United States.”

He believes that there will be chicken rental businesses in most American cities within five years.

I'm Jonathan Evans in Washington.

词汇解析

organic

难度：3星常用词汇，属常用6000词

英汉解释

adj.器官的;有机的;有组织的;根本的;接近自然的

n.有机物质

参考例句

用作形容词 (adj.)

The illness is organic in origin.

该病起初是器质性疾患。

用作名词 (n.)

Oil-yielding organic matter is contained in the shales.

在这些页岩里有产油的有机物质。

extend

难度：4星核心词汇，属常用3000词

英汉解释

v.延伸;延长;伸展;扩展;提供;使竭尽全力

参考例句

用作动词 (v.)

Our playing fields extend as far as those trees.

我们的操场延伸到那些树前。

access

难度：5星基本词汇，属常用1000词

英汉解释

n.入口;通道

n.接近(的机会);使用之权

vt.进入;(电脑)存取

参考例句

用作名词 (n.)

The avalanche cut off the access to the mountain village.

雪崩切断了进入山村的通道。

用作及物动词 (vt.)

She access three different files to find the correct information.

她存取了三个文件以找寻所要的信息。

opportunity

难度：4星核心词汇，属常用3000词

英汉解释

n.机会;时机

参考例句

用作名词 (n.)

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their hard work on the project.

我愿借此机会感谢每一位为这个项目辛勤工作的人。

He was waiting for an opportunity to retaliate.

他在伺机报复。

limit

难度：5星基本词汇，属常用1000词

英汉解释

n.限度;限制;界限

vt.限制;限定

参考例句

用作名词 (n.)

Her ambition knows no limit.

她的野心没有限度。

用作及物动词 (vt.)

We must limit our spending.

我们必须限制我们的开支。