Urban Chicks, Henside the Beltline

Are YOU talkin' to ME?

Okay, let me state this as plainly as possible. If you enjoyed the Piedmont Farm Tour, the Carrboro Urban Farm Tour, or even the Chatham and Orange Studio Art Tours, you are going to love the 5th Annual Tour D’Coop in Raleigh, “Henside the Beltline,” Saturday May 15.

Think about it: This is your chance to visit the creative people raising hens in our fair capital. And it takes all kinds.

There are the artistic coops and the practical Future Farmers of America roosts. The perfect, do-it-yourself-by-the-blueprint ones, and the funky ones.  I promise, there are even Chicken McMansions (hey, it’s Raleigh).

And we haven’t even mentioned the ladies yet. The Parade of Combs presents hens of all feathers, colors, religions and political persuasions. Strutting their stuff, and, uh, showing you what they can do (but it’s so good for the garden).

Moreover, most of the folks energetic enough to raise urban chicks also have amazing gardens and yards, and a great sense of humor. This is your chance to take a peek, ask lots of questions, and dream about building your own chicken coop some day.

Mark your calendar, bring along some food to donate to the Urban Ministries food bank, pack up the kids (they will love this, better than the zoo), but leave the dog at home.

Click here for details about where to pick up a map.

And click here to see how much fun I had last year on the tour.

— Dee Reid