The Feed Store, Summit: My Source for Baby ChicksYou’ve probably cruised by the Feed Store in Summit many times – it’s been around for over 60 years, since the days when farms actually existed in the area. My daughter and I went last there last weekend, and I had no idea it’d be photo-worthy, so I didn’t bring a camera, but I did find this shot on Flickr. Next time I go, and that will be soon, I'll shoot some interiors.
The Feed Store is pretty cool. I bought some bales of straw for my garden, but what really intrigued me where the chickens. Years ago, GWiv speculated that tending chickens seemed something I’d be well-suited to; not sure I’d be well-suited, but I’m game. Now.
My understanding is that the People’s Republic of Oak Park allows residents to keep two live chickens (and an unlimited number of frozen ones) on their property. Two baby layers from The Feed Store will not run more than $8. The cage will be around $180, and I’ll need some kind of enclosure to keep out local predators (mostly domestic cats on the prowl), but I’m loving the idea of having fresh eggs in my backyard. And livestock.
The Feed Store is way worth a visit. They have a lot of poultry for sale, including pigeon, ducks and Guinea hens, as well as several types of bunnies, plus the appropriate feed. Their motto: “If it walks, crawls, flies, runs or swims, we can feed it.”
I found a bag of squirrel feed and asked the lady behind the counter if this was for real, I mean, Who feeds squirrels? Turns out, the lady was part of a squirrel appreciation society and actually feeds them right from her lap: "they're quite the little clowns; I just like to watch them," she said to me with big earnest eyes. Sounds wacky, but it takes all kinds (or, at least, we have all kinds). However if, like Squirrel Lady and GWiv, you’ve got a thing for squirrels, you can find out more at
http://www.projectsquirrel.org. Me, I see chicks in my future.
The Feed Store
5408 S Harlem Ave
Summit Argo, IL 60501
(708) 458-1327
David “and I will tend the bunnies” Hammond
"Don't you ever underestimate the power of a female." Bootsy Collins