New York Chickens get a grant!

Brook Park Chickens got $700 to engage volunteers to build the first chicken coop in Brook Park, providing residents with access to humanely raised chickens and eggs. “Chicken Deputies” will be appointed from local schools to monitor chicken and egg production.

The grant was one of 19 awarded to community groups as part of Change by Us NYC (nyc.changeby.us), a website that enables New Yorkers to connect with each other and with City government to create projects for improving their neighborhoods and our City. Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg announced the grants. Change by Us NYC, launched by the City in July, is currently focused on projects that answer the question “How can we make our city a greener, greater place to live?” Grants were awarded to projects on the website in three categories: community gardening and agriculture, composting, and tree and park stewardship – some of the focus areas outlined in PlaNYC, the City’s roadmap for creating its sustainable future.

“Change by Us NYC has given the City a way to interact with and support many community groups and civic-minded New Yorkers in all five boroughs,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “From planting new gardens to growing sustainable food, these projects will help make New York City greener and greater.”

The chickens are getting good coverage in the news media. Everyone's excited about chickens!