Backyard chickens-who has them and do your neighbors care?

[Anonymous]

^^Seattle

[Anonymous]

See www.montgomerycountybackyardchickens.org for information on current laws and pending legislation for Montgomery County backyard chickens.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A new ordinance is in the final draft stages, and will be up for a vote in Montgomery County, MD in summer or fall 2013. Here is a new informational/advocacy web site which summarizing the key issues, and how to get in touch with local politicians to make chicken-friendly law a reality: montgomerycountybackyardchickens.org

Who is opposed? I want to know who to give money to.

[Anonymous]

Geese. They're quieter and their eggs are yummy and you can slaughter them at xmas. We did this in AU Park 2010-2012. We stopped this year after the xmas slaughter because we had so much work travel planned for this year. Nobody had a clue we did this.
We also make and roast our own kielbasas in the fall. D's sibling comes from Wisconsin and stays with us as our "meat curing guide".

[Anonymous]

backyard chickens = watch out for your neighbor misfiring his gun into you head from the noise.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This post was sent to me by a friend.

I live 30 minutes outside San Francisco, in a half a million dollar home. We are well educated and my husband works a full time job. We live with doctors and lawyers, we have a retirement account, pay our mortgage and property taxes. 

When we got our girls I went to each neighbor and asked. All seven on our block (two neighboring) were enthusiastic, one of those has a wife who was not. She thought it was odd to live in a nice area and own chickens. But she didn't have an issue with me doing it.  When we travel, I have our hired pet sitter feed/care for them just as she cares for our cats. Our neighbors check on them in high heat days.

We bought Chickens five months ago, three. We did it to grow fresh eggs, have food security in the event of a natural disaster (earth quakes here, they have become part of our 72 hour plan, for their eggs). I have a very nice coop, that set me back $500, plus all the accessories. Our neighbors love them, the coop is very nice, and what is behind my fence shouldn't change property values. If you don't like the view, don't look behind my fence. They are a well kept clean flock. I'm a professional chef, who hosts dinner parties, I let them out to roam under our pergola during dinner parties, it does look like a Pottery Barn catalog. It has been work, but to have eggs I know where they came from, chicks that eat food scraps, help with bugs and compost, and provide me enjoyment has been a great experience for our family. 

I should also mention, I live on 6,400 square feet, with a lap pool. Literally a 50 foot lap pool. Space is at a premium, yet in densely populated areas it's doable. Here, my eggs are loved by neighbors, cherished by my kids teachers, and my daughters girl scout troop comes by once a year to earn a badge in RECYCLING, because of how we use our chickens. 

I can't see why anyone would own a dog, they don't produce anything, they chew, tear, have accidents IN the house, etc. they poop in yards, and on sidewalks. But, you better believe if someone told you that you couldn't own a dog I would defend any of you, and your right to own dogs.

Our family enjoyed our vacation to Kauai last year, in which we stayed on the beach, and enjoyed local chickens. Kauai is one of the most expensive places to travel, and there are chickens. Not third world. 

No additional pests, rats or other nuisances relating to my chickens as of yet. If it happens, I will deal with it. Just like I deal with my cats and I'm sure all dog owners do. 

Chicken shit. Yes, about 1.5 ounces a day per bird. It's like gold to me. Two of my neighbors come get it, fight over it actually. And I compost the rest. Then spread it over my fruit trees. 

OP- come to the Bay Area. It's accepted here. I'm really shocked about how angry some of you are. Visit a urban coop, talk to someone who does this (not a chicken farmer with hundreds of birds, big difference).

Thank you SO MUCH for posting this. Even though you obviously sound very, very well off, and I envy you for that (unless you are just bs'ing!!) Thank you for proving it's not 'poor,' but rather safer for you and educational.

As funny as your dog comment is, I must disagree! My lovely rescue dog is the sweetest, and already came house trained, and supplies us with some protection (ironically very gentle) and showers us with undivided love and we wouldn't trade him for the world.

This is something your children will take with them forever, and hopefully will continue. I remember when I was younger, my dad and I hatched eggs for a farmer friend with an incubator. Ducks followed me around the yard. I will never forget any of it. Here I am, 20+ years later and back into it. Just this past Saturday I had my niece and friends kids over to play with the ducks outside. Everyone of them were so into it. I don't think they will ever forget it. Unfortunately now I am heartbroken because I don't live on an acre of land (yah, can't afford that) and will have to give back my ducklings rather soon because they are growing up and ready for coop life. I can't keep them because of BS zoning regulations (even though I live in a conservation/ag zone, I STILL need an acre, the 3/4ths acre just won't suffice.

That lovely missive from the lady in SF is as made up as the name thread were people write a little story about kids names. She was probably looking at PB catalog when she wrote it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here, no plans on eating the chickens but will love me some fresh, organic eggs that I KNOW are organic because I raised them. I think it's cool that they will free range in plenty of space and my child will learn about something unique and have a neat experience. For me it's a hobby and something I want to do. I'm really not surprised by some comments that chickens are "gross" and you can catch "xyz"-all of which are hilarious to me. Ignorance.

If you are managing the chicken coop well and don't have way too many chickens they shouldn't smell at all.If you smell chickens, you smell mis-management. To the PP above, if your FIL had secured his coop with proper chicken wire and a protected run that should not have occurred really. But there are predators out there just as alligators prey on people's little dogs is southern states. I don't think that means they shouldn't have dogs anymore. They should protect their pets.

In my experience here, people have a negative connotation associated with chickens. Last time I brought it up to someone they exclaimed, "Oh if that's something YOU'RE into, then good for you" in a condescending tone. I really wish people were more open-minded. We are not poor, quite the contrary

Then, one poster here has chickens?! I wonder if my neighbors will be opposed so they are not associated with "the chickens next door"? Hmmm

Good for you,OP! If I wasn't so lazy (admittedly!) I'd love to have chickens.

My friends all over East Atlana Village raised them and none of their yards smelled. In fact, many of them took the time to build incredibly artistic, interesting coops. One friend made hers look like a Victorian doll house which her two daughters adored. Several of these friends also had lush gardens in their backyard that were naturally fertilized and pest-free thanks to chickens.

I am regularly shocked at how ignorant, close-minded, and condescending, our purportedly progressive, well-educated area is. DC is more about keeping up with appearances and a what-will-your-neighbors-think attitude as opposed to an interesting, family-friendly hobby.

I wish you the best of luck in your venture! I would love to be your neighbor so that I could trade you discarded fruit and veggie rinds for your fresh eggs (regular occurrence in East Atlana)!

[Anonymous]

OP here. Wow. I had no idea this thread was still going...

Thanks PP! Yep, you nailed it. It's all about keeping up appearances...and just the word "chicken" elicits so many derogatory comments from people (who usually don't have a clue). Our chickens are almost 5 months old now and are beautiful, friendly, and keep all the pests at bay. The neighbors didn't even know until I offered eggs. Our neighbors like to feed them garden scraps. It's a win-win! As an added bonus, they are just entertaining and relaxing to watch...and as soon as the fireflies come out, they line up to head back to the coop. They've been a lot of fun and so easy to care for. I'm glad I did it.

[Anonymous]

If you want rats and for your neighbors to hate you, by all means get chicken. Then Dobt be surprised when your neighbor calls the health department on you and you have to spend a lot of $$$ building a proper coop and getting rid of the rats you brought in the the 'hood.

My neighbor "used to" have chickens. We made sure that didn't last. Anonymously of course

[Anonymous]

Yes, I absolutely would hate you for this and report you. Move to a farm if you want chickens. They are loud and smelly.

[Anonymous]

Do chickens eat mosquitoes? If so, I am in.

[Anonymous]

Chicken coops have officially jumped the shark. William Sonoma is now selling 'em. And check out that "predator protection kit" -- A roll of hardware cloth for $80!

http://www.williams-sonoma.com/shop/agrarian-garden/agrarian-garden-chicken-coops/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would worry about bird flu.

Yep, this.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't care if it is done right. My neighbor has them. Built a proper coup (he is a carpenter on the side). All females so no noise and the family keeps it nice and clean. I was worried about disease but I read that if you only have a few and keep them away from ducks and contaminants, it is pretty safe.

No one really notices, but again, it is because they took the time to prepare and become informed before the chickens arrived.

[Anonymous]

There's a chicken & coop rental in Potomac if you want to try it out for a few months.

http://www.rentacoop.com/