The Chicken Lady

I’d heard rumors of a woman living in unincorporated Jefferson County near Cahaba Heights who operates a chicken coop rental business. I’ve always enjoyed various types of pets, and as a novice urban farmer I decided to learn about the service; fresh eggs and ready-made fertilizer seem like a fabulous way for a pet to earn her keep!

I got in touch with Melissa Allphin, also known as The Chicken Lady, and asked if I could see her setup. She was happy to show her wares and the fine ladies she tends, so my daughter and I headed out for a field trip!

We pulled into the drive and Melissa greeted us with a big smile and hug and asked us in. Her immaculate and welcoming home smelled of banana pudding. She confessed she’d whipped up a special treat just for us from her fresh eggs.

We went through the house to the fenced backyard, which was clean and neat even though several hens have access to the grounds. A number of coops in different shapes and sizes grace the small yard.

“I’m experimenting with the best style (of coop) for the birds as well as the client,” Melissa explained. She’s chosen to work with a builder/artist who enjoys working with reclaimed barn wood. Melissa purchases only two new items for each coop she produces: The wood for the base of the coop, which must be a treated to protect against moisture, and the chicken wire to keep the girls contained. These structures are well made and built to last.

The coops are relatively small (approximately three feet wide and five feet long) and each one houses 2 hens. She explains that chickens are social creatures and become very lonely and unhappy if they don’t have a friend. We peek in to Arletta and Flossie’s coop. Arletta is upon her nest and we learn that she is just about to lay an egg. Melissa explains that each young hen lays an egg about every 25 hours and the interesting thing is after 6 days, they take a day off!

Since Arletta doesn’t want to be disturbed at the moment, we walk around the corner to a second coop. She’s not letting the two coops mingle as one will be leaving for a new home soon and she doesn’t want the birds to become attached to each other.

Melissa opens the door to the two-story A-frame coop and coaxes a hen from her roost. The birds are nervous around strangers, so we hide behind the corner, and out they come! Melissa then shows us how to handle them by picking them up with their wings tucked in. She cuddles the hen close to her side as she brings her around to the main part of the yard. Soon her girlfriend follows and the two prance around the yard, pecking at grasses and bugs in the lawn.

Melissa gives us grain so we can hand feed the girls ourselves, and I am surprised at how much fun it is! The birds are incredibly soft, and they make the most lovely little gentle sounds.

A light rain begins to fall, so Melissa returns the ladies to their coop and we duck inside for pudding and tea. As we sit and enjoy our treats, Melissa describes her business and philosophy to us, and it is obvious this is a labor of love.

We learn the hens begin laying when they are between 4 and 6 months old, depending on the breed. They eat grass and bugs, and Melissa keeps one coop in a spot where she plans to place a garden. Generally, the coop would be moved on a daily basis, but this one will stay put for a bit so the hens can clear the vegetation as well as fertilize the garden spot. “They are doing good work for me!” she explained.

The chickens are repaid for their work with a high-quality diet. Melissa provides her hens and any renters with non-GMO grains. Coop and Caboodle chickens get scraps in the morning and only the best grains for free feeding in the coop. She explains that she was once asked why she spends so much on the grain. “My father taught me to always do the best I could at everything. I am only going to sell the best!” This diet is not only healthy for the chickens but also results in better eggs. She tells us that eggs are rated for quality in regards to how low the amount of cholesterol and how high the amount of vitamins A and D. Most eggs we find in the grocery store rank pretty low. On a scale of 1 to 5, most are a 1 — if you’re lucky!

In addition, Melissa cleans the coops and gives the chickens fresh water daily. In summer if it is too hot you can provide sprinklers and ice cubes in their water to help them keep cool and the coops are designed to provide good circulation. This not only keeps the chickens healthy, but they are also friendly and seem happy. She explains that you must work with them as chicks if you want your hens to be handle-able.

When Melissa began thinking of a career change she considered the skills and desires she had. Having been a culinary teacher for years, she considered opening a restaurant, but the investment was quite hefty. In addition, Melissa wanted to do something positive for the community, her children, and her children’s children. As the daughter of a veterinarian and farmer in Huffman, Alabama, Melissa handled 5 a.m. feedings to secure time for riding her horse. From an early age, she got up every morning to handle the task. The skill and love for taking care of animals was a part of her makeup. So the idea for operating a coop rental business that provides organic eggs struck her a possibility. “Organic is healthier and I want to make a positive impact, even if it is a small one,” she said. Thus, Coop and Caboodle was born.

I love her business philosophy. I believe this is the way we can make a huge impact. Each of us doing a little bit to make this world we share a little bit better. The horror of factory farming benefits no one but the CEOs and big money investors of these vile businesses. The animals suffer greatly, and the product you purchase is at best inferior and often unhealthy.

I think the idea of a rental is inspired. For $375 ($325 if you pick it up yourself), you will be delivered a coop, 2 hens, feed and a waterer for a 6 to 8 month period. In addition, you’ll receive a tutorial on the housing and care of your new charges. It is a great family project or an opportunity to see if raising chickens is for you. If there’s a problem or when the time is up, Coop and Caboodle will come and pick them up. If you want to continue you can purchase the whole Coop and Caboodle!

The rain has finally stopped and so we pop back out. Arletta has provided a gift for me. Melissa withdraws an egg from the coop and puts it in my hands. It is warm and dry. I’ve never held a freshly laid egg before and it will certainly be the freshest egg I’ve ever eaten. I plan on making lunch out of it as soon as I get home.

We enjoy Flossie and Arletta for a bit before we pack up to leave. Arletta is not completely unhappy to have it taken from her. She broods just a bit but recovers quickly and steps out to do some scratching and talking. It almost seems as if she is calling to neighboring birds for some idle conversation.

I am so inspired and am hoping to give this a go myself. If there’s a problem I’ll know just what to do — Chicken Lady to the rescue!

Coop and Caboodle will also have a booth at the Home and Garden Show on February 14 through the 17, 2013.

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