How did you gather community support for backyard chickens?

[nico demouse]

We are just getting started with a backyard chicken effort in my suburban town. I'm curious how others have gone about gathering community support AND demonstrating that you had that community support. Has anyone used social networking devices to do this (Facebook/twitter/blogs)? Appearances at communty events (local history stuff/"green" fairs/etc)? What other methods did people use to gather support?

 

[Catstar68]

In Raleigh/Durham we have the Meetup.com groups. I think ours was started up by Andy the "Chicken Whisperer" then turned over to the membership. We also have the' Tour de Coup' that showcases urban coops once a year...it's like an urban farm tour. It helps to have a veterinary school and college that teaches poultry science around.

NC embraces it's agricultural roots so maybe it is just a bit easier here...except in Cary. Don't get me started about the town of Cary.

 

[Buff Hooligans]

I don't know if this would apply, but you can always write a couple local newspapers with a "story idea" re: suburban chickens as pets - new eco-movement, etc.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

I moved into a house that came with a hen

(Not to mention quite a few spread all over the neighborhood.)

 

[nico demouse]

Just an update:

I've been working with a small (but growing) group of people in my town to get our chicken ordinances changed. We are calling ourselves Citizens of Lombard for Urban Chickens.

We have the chance to present at the October 26th Environmental Concerns Committee meeting at 7:30 pm in Lombard, IL. This would be a first step towards getting our ordinances changed to allow chickens. In order to move ahead, we *need* a show of supporters at this meeting. If you are available (just to show up, no speaking or homework required!) please let me know via the forum, Facebook, or e-mail.

Our Facebook page is: www.facebook.com/lombardchickens

And our e-mail is: [email protected]

If you are not in the DuPage county area OR not available that evening, you can still help by "liking" us on Facebook. Part of this is a numbers thing, and if I can say we represent xx number of people who support backyard chicken keeping in our town, it will help our cause.

Thanks!