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

[Anonymous]

I don't get the impression that any of the haters care about, like, reality.

I just wish they were clear on the concept that it's not their right to fuck with my enjoyment of my property if it doesn't impact them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't get the impression that any of the haters care about, like, reality.

I just wish they were clear on the concept that it's not their right to fuck with my enjoyment of my property if it doesn't impact them.

People around you may not care about property values, but around here they do. No one wants to live next to livestock. The stigma alone. Ugh.

[Anonymous]

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).

Half a million 30 minutes from San Francisco? That sounds super cheap!! I thought the Bay Area was way more expensive than DC, yet half a million in this area doesn't get you much house.

[Anonymous]

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).

OP here, thanks for posting your perspective! Did you see the article in the Huffington Post? Many people feel the same as we do. Best of luck to you!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/10/dcum-chickens_n_1763893.html#s691040&title=Do_You_Love

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't get the impression that any of the haters care about, like, reality.

I just wish they were clear on the concept that it's not their right to fuck with my enjoyment of my property if it doesn't impact them.

People around you may not care about property values, but around here they do. No one wants to live next to livestock. The stigma alone. Ugh.

Uh... how does it affect property values if no-one knows they're there? It's like buying a house next to an uptight prig. Wouldn't do it if I knew, can't tell ahead of time, doesn't really matter as long as you don't bother me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:FWIW, there are a heck of a lot of residences in Fairfax County on lots larger than 2 acres.

You can have up to 64 chickens on 2 acres.

http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dpz/zoning/petsanimalsres.htm

The keeping of livestock or domestic fowl shall be allowed as an accessory use on any lot of two (2) acres or more in size. The keeping of such livestock or domestic fowl shall be in accordance with the following table:

The number of livestock kept on a given lot shall not exceed the ratio of one (1) animal unit per one (1) acre, with an animal unit identified as follows:

2 head of cattle = 1 animal unit
5 sheep = 1 animal unit
3 horses = 1 animal unit
5 swine = 1 animal unit
5 goats = 1 animal unit
5 llamas = 1 animal unit
5 alpacas = 1 animal unit

Horses shall include ponies, mules, burros and donkeys. In determining the number of livestock permitted, only horses six (6) months or older in age and cattle, sheep, goats, and swine one (1) year or older in age shall be counted. In addition, in determining the number of livestock permitted, combinations of animals are allowed, provided that the ratio of one (1) animal unit per one (1) acre is maintained.

The number of domestic fowl kept on a given lot shall not exceed the ratio of one (1) bird unit per one (1) acre, with a bird unit identified as follows:

32 chickens = 1 bird unit
16 ducks = 1 bird unit
8 turkeys = 1 bird unit
8 geese = 1 bird unit

In determining the number of domestic fowl permitted, only fowl six (6) months or older in age shall be counted.

The keeping of honeybees in four (4) beehives or less shall be allowed as an accessory use on any lot. On any lot of 10,000 square feet in size or larger, more than four (4) beehives may be kept, provided there is an additional lot area of 2500 square feet for each hive.

Thank you for reminding me of another reason I chose to live in an incorporated town in Maryland rather than the county in Virginia.

[Anonymous]

Haha Your incorporated towns in MD have the same thing going on, and your none the wiser. pretty sure VA is happy you are staying exactly where you are.

[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).

Half a million 30 minutes from San Francisco? That sounds super cheap!! I thought the Bay Area was way more expensive than DC, yet half a million in this area doesn't get you much house.

The foggier parts of Bay Area are cheaper and closer to the city, which itself is foggy all over its western parts. I am guessing this poster is in Pacifica as it has sunnier parts if they have an outdoor pool. It also can be some parts of Oakland. I can see how in Bay Area this activity is considered trendy among the granola types.

[Anonymous]

More proof the bay area is a bunch of chicken shit

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
People around you may not care about property values, but around here they do. No one wants to live next to livestock. The stigma alone. Ugh.

Your argument is invalid.


https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=401739739885823&set=a.118039168255883.15770.117721084954358&type=1&permPage=1

[Anonymous]

What about keeping the chickens inside your house?

[Anonymous]

Some people do - after all, they're just really large birds - but they need space to move, and unlike dogs and cats, they can't be trained. I'm not really interested in changing chicken diapers when my deep litter run works so well. Plus, foraging is their natural behavior.

[Anonymous]

So glad I am allergic to eggs and am too busy to turn my backyard into a experimental petting zoo!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
People around you may not care about property values, but around here they do. No one wants to live next to livestock. The stigma alone. Ugh.

Your argument is invalid.


https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=401739739885823&set=a.118039168255883.15770.117721084954358&type=1&permPage=1

OMG. LOL. FTW!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What about keeping the chickens inside your house?

No, thank you. Key words here: "Backyard" chickens.