Tom Parran ’13 discovers the joys of raising poultry in suburan neighborhood.
by Chris Koehler ’13
When most Saint Ignatius students get a craving for some scrambled eggs and bacon, they crack open the refrigerator and open a foam carton bought from the grocery store. When current junior Tom Parran gets this craving, he open up the chicken coop in his backyard, hoping that his chickens were kind enough to lay him some breakfast overnight.
That’s right. Tom Parran, who on the surface seems like a regular Ignatius student, raises chickens in his backyard. And he doesn’t live out in the open country—he lives in suburban Shaker Heights, just a twenty minute drive from downtown Cleveland. According to Parran, it all started during the spring of 2011. He had read somewhere that it was legal to raise chickens in Shaker Heights, and he and his parents made an agreement that he would take care of them. “They thought I was crazy at first,” said the junior, “but as long as they wouldn’t be taking care of them they didn’t care.”
Before purchasing the chicks, Tom would have a lot of work to do to make his back yard able to accommodate the new members of the family. “My sister is an engineer. She designed the chicken coop.” After a trip to Home Depot and some good ol’ fashioned elbow grease, Parran had the coop ready for chicks after about a month’s worth of work.
Tom’s parents bought the chicks from a hatchery near Youngstown. As babies the five chickens were given names. Unfortunately, Tom’s Labrador puppies got into the chicken coop and killed one, so now four remain. The chicks had names and a home, and all the Parrans expected in return were eggs. Tom says it took a while for them to begin laying eggs, and that they just started laying “about three weeks ago.” Now, Tom has a free breakfast whenever he’s craving an omelette or scrambled eggs. “[The eggs] actually have a very rich taste,” Tom claims. “They’re definitely better than any eggs I’ve ever gotten from the store.”
But would he ever consider eating his chickens? “They only lay for twenty months or so, so they won’t be of much use after that.” Parran added, “My brother and I are planning on having a Fourth of July party next summer. Barbecue chicken will be on the menu.”
