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

[Anonymous]

I had them growing up. We had two ducks at one time. My Lord, you cannot imagine the poop they made! Thank goodness, they were part of a nature project and the preserve took them back.

[Anonymous]

19:49 - exactly why people get them. Better be nice to your neighbors

[Anonymous]

OP, I think it's awesome. I would do it if FFX would let us. Check out legalize chickens in Arlington County on FB.

BTW I kept honey bees in the burbs for years and people thought it was nuts. No one every got stung, no complaints. It was interesting and fun.

[Anonymous]

You are allowed and encouraged to shoot them if found in fairfax county but only with small caliber weapons.

[Anonymous]

Shedding a happy little tear to see this delightful thread reborn. My favorite subject.

My girls started laying for the season about a week ago. It's so nice to have really good eggs again - even this early in the season, their yolks are darker and richer than the farmers' market eggs.

Still no smells, predators, flies or other pests. Speaking of pests, we had no ants last summer, and our spring and fall termite inspections came up clean for the first time since we bought the property (and decades before). I'm sure it's just a coincidence that the hens seem to think these critters are a chocolate shake and fries and we're not out several hundred dollars this year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Back in the day, having to keep chickens on your property was a sign of poverty and was a source of shame.

Just saying.

Those days are over.

Just saying.

No, not really. We live in a global economy with sophisticated supply chains and robust markets. Eggs are affordable and easily found at any grocery store. So, yeah, if you have chickens, I figure you're either poor or ironic to the point of appearing foolish.

[Anonymous]

Chicken lady is back..and according to PP, I'm foolish. I guess a lot of people with $$ in Mo. Co are. This amazes me that people are opposing (even hostile) regarding keeping something in their own yard. I'm guessing they think that chickens could somehow make "them" look less well-off or that someone who has money DARES bring in a chicken. I guess challenging tax brackets is out of line. Stay in your lane, eh? That's what this is really about....

Luckily, I have sound-minded people around me and neighbors who think it's awesome. In fact, nobody sees, hears, or smells any of them. They didn't even know I had chickens until I told them-and showed them. BUT people have to put others down for some reason. I'll be feeding my baby chicks now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:this thread is hilarious! really? most of you all are angry because people want to own chickens yet you dress your dogs and half pick up their shit from the sidewalks. puh-lease. my grandmother's neighbors have chicken and the birds don't cause my grandmother any issues.

go on and get your chickens, lady.

the poster who said owning chickens was a sign of poverty eons ago...who gives a shit! you sound like a nut even saying that.

live and let live.

>>AMEN!! Well put with a touch of humor. I also enjoyed the "tan and skinny was also a sign of poverty." HILARIOUS!!

I personally could CARE LESS if a few snobs in my 'hood thought I was poor for having a few fowl in my yard. In my well-kept, well-cared for yard, not because I'm trying to keep up with the Joneses, but, because it's just how I am. I happen to take pride in my property, house, and animals. It's rather offensive and snobbish that so many of you assume people who want birds don't.

Today's version of backyard chickens tells a good story about that property owner....they are environmentally conscious and prefer cruelty-free food if they can help it. Those that oppose it in such an aggressive and rude manner seem ignorant and out of touch of the green and organic movement currently taking hold of our country. Veg gardens and small coops are the 'it girl' right now, check out Pinterest if you need proof!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Back in the day, having to keep chickens on your property was a sign of poverty and was a source of shame.

Just saying.

Those days are over.

Just saying.

No, not really. We live in a global economy with sophisticated supply chains and robust markets. Eggs are affordable and easily found at any grocery store. So, yeah, if you have chickens, I figure you're either poor or ironic to the point of appearing foolish.

YOU may choose to support a market that treats their livestock like dirt...(ever see any of the documentaries, the conditions those poor animals live in?? The way they are treated...never see the sunlight a day in their lives. Their life consists of eating SO MUCH the weight of their body breaks their legs beneath them. Completely and utterly inhumane. You don't have to be vegan to care about the way animals are treated.

Why do you think they are so cheap? They are mass-produced.

I and MANY people choose to not support such gross companies. If you could care less, fine, but don't knock down the ones who 'get it.' It's truly sad and scary, your thoughts on this matter.

[Anonymous]

Please try to live off your quarter acre land by cutting off all public utilities , raising chickens and planting vegetables so that you will eventually die due to lack of food this competing darwin's cycle of natural selection.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:this thread is hilarious! really? most of you all are angry because people want to own chickens yet you dress your dogs and half pick up their shit from the sidewalks. puh-lease. my grandmother's neighbors have chicken and the birds don't cause my grandmother any issues.

go on and get your chickens, lady.

the poster who said owning chickens was a sign of poverty eons ago...who gives a shit! you sound like a nut even saying that.

live and let live.

Honey. Not "eons ago." Now.

oh! *gasp* sure wouldn't want anyone to mistake me for being poor and poverty stricken because i choose to own chicken. mistakenly identified as poor = first world problem.

next!!

Spot-on. Best quote so far!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Please try to live off your quarter acre land by cutting off all public utilities , raising chickens and planting vegetables so that you will eventually die due to lack of food this competing darwin's cycle of natural selection.

So I guess the Amish have it all wrong then, huh? They sure are dying off at a rapid rate!

[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).

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.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

<3 it!

[Anonymous]

I will run over your chickens