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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]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).[/quote]

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. [/quote]

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.[/quote]

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