SLIDESHOW: North Fork Hen House Tour

According to Cornell, the practice of raising backyard chickens has become increasingly popular over the past five years. Tour goers saw for themselves that chickens are pets with perks. In addition to providing fresh eggs daily, they can also be a fun family animal.

The purpose of this tour was to celebrate and recognize the sustainable and satisfying practices raising chickens, ducks and poultry can be.

Check out photos by Katharine Schroeder below.