OPINION: Surviving a pandemic: Grow a garden, raise rabbits, pigs and chickens

It would appear that the ongoing COVID-19 issue is changing how many people look at providing for themselves and it is probably for the better.

We already know of at least seven friends and family who have decided to keep not just some laying hens but broilers too. Hen numbers are ranging from three or four per household to a couple of dozen for extended family to enjoy as well. Some have as many as 40 broilers. People are becoming experts on the old-fashioned dual-purpose breeds with the intention of eating the roosters. Are Plymouth Rocks better than Rhode Island Reds?

At least one friend has added some rabbits to the mix as a welcome change from eating poultry next winter and two others are planning on keeping a piglet or two once housing arrangements have been decided. This is an endeavor they might regret.

Old sheds are being sized up as potential housing for the new livestock. Some are building runs, cages and pens from scratch. Then there are one or two, obviously without money issues, ordering those luxury hen condos from farm stores at exorbitant prices. How many dozen could be bought for the cost of that hen house?

One thing that should be done is a call to your township to see what livestock you can legally keep. Here in South Glengarry, the bylaws prohibit any form of livestock in any of the hamlets and villages as well as any rural properties under 2.5 hectares/6.2 acres. You might just have to move to a city such as Brampton, Edmonton or Victoria if you want to keep chickens in your backyard!

Vegetable gardens, if non-existent before, are fully worked and starting to flourish. Those that were big before are massive now. Cold frames have been built and put to good use in April’s fluctuating temperatures and many are planning greenhouses built out of old windows to extend the seasons.

Fruit trees and bushes, although slow to produce, have been added to many gardens with visions of jams, jellies and preserves in the future making the hard work worth while.

Many, including ourselves, have resorted to online shopping for some necessities, such as good quality work socks. The transaction worked well using PayPal rather than passing over credit card info. The shipping was free and the parcel arrived in three days. But the incessant emails and sales notices from the company we bought from are driving me insane. Enough already.

While clothing is fairly easy to order online, work boots have proven to be another matter, especially when one member of the family has a very high instep and has to try them on. The solution was to go back through receipts looking for the bill for the last pair he bought then contacting the company and having them search the product code. It worked, the boots arrived and are comfortable.

It will be interesting to see how long people will keep up all these new habits and projects. Will the added flavour of fruits, vegetables, meats and eggs raised at home be so noticeable and enjoyed that this will continue? For us it has.