Recent content by Sactown Chickens

Quote: I agree with all Sonoran has said above. To it I'll add that you will need to determine what type of ordinance needs amending (municipal code, zoning ordinance, animal ordinance etc) as sections applying to the keeping of animals are often located in varying places depending of the...

Got our first little egg yesterday from one of our 20 week old BOs.

Holly, approach the variance process with extreme caution. Do you know if this is an administrative approval or has to get formal approval before the zoning board? If the zoning board must approve it, ask to see a copy of a variance staff report. What I am interested in is if staff has to...

Thanks for all the wonderful feedback. I am relieved to know that the consensus is that she's a hen. I would have been sad if I had to re-home this one, as she's my definite favorite!

Regarding a conditional use, I'm not sure of the rules in your township, but here in CA, a conditional use has to be approved by the Planning Commission, there is a formal public hearing where all neighbors within a certain radius of the property are told about the item and invited to attend and...

One of the criteria is that on less than 10 acres it is a conditional use. This may require you to obtain a conditional use permit first. If your township has a planning department they would be the ones to contact regarding this. Other than that one item, it appears you can easily meet all...

This chicken is 18 weeks old. The comb is much redder and larger than the others the same age. However, last weekend, this chicken seemed to be singing the egg song (was the only one in the coop so I know it was she/he). Any opinions are welcome. Thanks!

Prom dresses and chickens...interesting combination. http://awkwardfamilyphotos.com/2009/08/10/turkey-sandwich/

There are going to be several showing this weekend of "Mad City Chickens" in an effort to educate local residents about backyard chicken keeping. A link to the Sacramento Bee article is listed below... http://www.sacbee.com/ourregion/story/2090322.html?mi_rss=Our%2520Region

Zoning is not the Police Department's area of expertise so it is quite possible that the cop that cited you is misinformed as to the interpretation of zoning rules in the Township. Can you get a member of the Planning/Zoning staff to confirm in writing that chickens are allowed? Zoning IS...

What is considered an accessory use? I would argue that your chickens/coop could be accessory to the single family residence. A fairly standard definition of accessory use is something along the lines of a detached subordinate building or use located on the same premises as the main building...

I was doing some research trying to find your township's zoning ordinance #144 to see what it actually said. I never managed to find it but did come up with this from the University of Pennsylvania... UP apparently publishes a document on animal law and ethics. I know the law school in the...

I found this very nice article while trolling the internet this morning. I thought it could prove useful to those trying to get regulations changed in their area. Here's the link... http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/dining/bal-md.gr.chickens28jun28,0,1452470.story

It's roasting here in CA today too (last check 103). Per many suggestions on BYC I tried the frozen water bottles in their runs and am pleased to see the girls laying up against them. They still look miserable but I'm hoping they are at least a little bit cooler.

Since it sounds like your City Council has the final say, you still have a good chance. Any positive lobbying you can do before hand is a good start. Providing the Council members with pro-chicken literature to look over would be beneficial and if any memebers of the Council are willing, a...