The North Richmond Farm is home to 32 chickens: 18 hens (including 3 beloved seniors) and 14 lively roosters. Each one has a name and personality of their own, from Padme, Bubbles, and Torchic to Nugget, Marshmallow, and Charmander. Some arrived as donations from neighbors or schools that could no longer care for them, while others have been with us since they were tiny chicks. A few even joined us during the pandemic, when schools in Oakland closed and needed a safe home for their flocks.
Our chickens do much more than brighten the farm with their presence. They help keep pests under control by eating termites, ticks, slugs, and ants. Their manure is a rich ingredient for compost and fertilizer, and they reduce food waste by happily pecking at scraps. Chickens also provide fresh eggs, keep weeds in check, and even till the soil as they scratch and forage. Beyond all that, they remind us of the deep connection between animals, food, and the land.
Their home, the Chicken Palace, was built by Girls Garage, a nonprofit design and construction school for girls and gender-expansive youth ages 9–18. Construction began in fall 2019 and was completed in summer 2020, creating a safe and beautiful space for our flock to thrive.
