Chicago Urban Homestead

City Streets & Chicken Feathers

Welcome to the intersection of urban life and old-skool homesteading. We live in a bustling, multi-generational household in Chicago, sharing our space with 4 people, two dogs, a turtle, multiple fish, and a very vocal flock of five hens.

Our journey started with a simple question: How much of our own life can we produce right here in the city? What began with a small backyard coop has grown into more of an urban homestead. For us, sustainability is the daily rhythm of collecting “butt nuggets” for breakfast, recycling lawn clippings, leaves, and branches for the coop, and turning all other scraps into “black gold” through our indoor and outdoor composting systems.

This project is as much about creativity as it is about cultivation. As a songwriter and musician, I believe every homestead has a soundtrack. That’s why you’ll hear the Chicken Blues quietly underpinning everything we do. Whether we are filming a new recipe for Mango Spice Bread or troubleshooting a “broody” hen, we do it with a DIY spirit and a touch of city soul.

Whether you are a fellow Chicagoan looking to start your first balcony garden or just someone curious about how five chickens manage the winter in the 312, we’re glad you’re here.

Let’s grow something together.

Chop banana peels into small "noodles" with kitchen shears for easier eating.

Kitchen Scraps
Use kitchen scraps like bananas to provide potassium and magnesium for strong eggshells.

Kitchen Scraps
Rake up uneaten fruit/vegetable scraps before dark to avoid attracting rodents or pests.

Chicken Coop
Lure "broody" hens out of nesting boxes by tossing treats just outside the coop door.

Chickens
Leave the natural "bloom" (protective coating) on unwashed eggs to keep them shelf-stable at room temperature.

Eggs
Perform a "float test" in water to check egg freshness (fresh eggs sink, old eggs float).

Eggs
Steam fresh backyard eggs for 12 minutes instead of boiling to make them easier to peel.

Eggs
Check for "hidden nests" in the yard if the daily egg count suddenly drops.

Chickens
Monitor for "broody" behavior (puffing feathers or growling) which can stop egg production.

Chickens
Ensure hardware cloth and coop siding are secure if rodents are found inside.

Chicken Coop
High-protein "treats" (like the occasional mouse) can lead to richer yolks and higher energy.

Chickens