Backyard chicken farming taking off in central Labrador

A growing number of people in central Labrador are building chicken coops right in their backyards.

Raising chickens is not exactly a new phenomenon in Labrador.Consider how the Grenfell Mission tended to birds in North West River back in theday.

Labrador Morning12:08Chicken Fever

Raising chickens in Labrador isn't a new phenomenon exactly. Just consider the Moravian missionaries tending to their birds. But these days, there's a new generation flocking to it and they're building coops right in their backyards.

But backyard chicken farming appears to be taking off again,due to an increased awareness of where and how food is produced.

It's one way to fight against food insecurity in a region that struggles with access to fresh, locally produced food.

Since starting to sell chicken feed, Christina and Bernard Bird, owners of Birdhouse Garden Market in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, have dealt with between 50 and 60 backyard chicken farmers in central and coastal Labrador.

They started supplying feed last July after the only supermarket carrying it in Happy Valley-Goose Bay stopped selling it. People raising chickens asked if the couple could bring it in.

Julianne and Chris Griffin,who havehad chickens for about two years,say there's nothing better than eating eggs from their own hens, noting the high cost of food in the North.

FarmerJim Purdy knows there's demand for locally produced eggs, a market that could be supplied by more people raising chickens.

The passion for backyard chicken farming is being passed on to the next generation in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, too.

Family physicianGabeWoollamis teaching his children what goes into making their own food by raising chickens in their backyard.

These photographs capture the commitment, spirit and pride a growing number of backyard chicken farmers in Happy Valley-Goose Bay bring to producing their food locally.