After successful fundraiser, Chicken Sh*t Bingo returns to Brooklyn farm

Sh*t’s about to go down in Bushwick.

Bushwick City Farm, an all-volunteer community garden, drew about 200 people and raised $1,900 during an unusual fundraiser last year, and is hoping to repeat that success again on Sept. 18.

The Chicken Sh*t Bingo fundraiser was the idea of a farm volunteer who saw the activity in Austin, Texas, where it originated at the Little Longhorn Saloon. The bar offers the game for $2 a ticket, and has even reached international notoriety for it.

Attendees at Bushwick City Farm’s fundraiser can buy two squares for $5 as they wait for their chickens (who have been just fed a “sumptuous meal”) to defecate on a life-size bingo board. If the bird poops on your square, then you win a prize.

There will also be face painting, music, drinks and food at the event from 1 to 7 p.m. Sunday.

“Last year was a huge success, people had a good time and the chickens got to do a lot,” said one of the head volunteers, Jason Reis.

This year, the farm is hoping to raise more money and attract a bigger crowd. The only change isthe chickens. Though most of the chickens were able to do their duty quickly, some took a “solid 10 minutes,” according to Reiss. This year they may put two on a board at a time instead of just one.

The farm, with a goal of providing free access to healthy, organic produce in the Bushwick/Bed-Stuy area, receives its funding from small grants and donations. It decided Chicken Sh*t Bingo would be the perfect way to not only raise money for their endeavor but publicize it.

Last year’s money went toward a aquaponics system, tools and supplies for the farm and chicken feed. This year, the farm is looking to buy more soil, a new wheelbarrow and additional chicken feed, which has doubled in price in the last three years or so.

The about 30 chickens of Bushwick City Farm, who will actually be working for their dinner at the event, are an important part of the garden. Every Sunday at 2 p.m. their eggs are given out for free to the community.

Everything grown at the garden is free for the community, who are also offered educational programs to learn about organic gardening and taking care of chickens.

“There is kind of a disconnect between food in the supermarket and how it’s actually grown,” said Reis.

• BushwickCity Farmis located at354 Stockton St. (atLewis Avenue,two blocks from the Myrtle/Broadway J/M/Zstop)
• TheChicken Sh*t Bingo fundraiseris from 1 to 7 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 18
• The farm’s normal hours are12:30 p.m.until sundown,Saturday and Sundays