Congratulations! I'm glad you had the same positive experience with the Health Department that I had. My chicks are growing like...well, like chicks!! Four are already in the coop and the rest are feathering out nicely. Good luck with your girls!!
You can apply without going anywhere. Get the application from the Health Dept. website. Print it off and mail it. Sometimes a rep will drive by to look at your property without telling you, so my guess is that someone did look at your friend's property and she just wasn't home at the time.
For the benefit of anyone reading this thread...things have changed in Omaha. I live in a southwest suburb and had no problem getting a permit for chickens. Before I even applied, I talked to my neighbors to make sure they were OK with it and would not cause me grief. They were all actually...
Congratulations!!!!! Here's hoping no one lays eyes on those dogs again, and I agree with previous poster...the dogs deserve a better life. Good luck with the new babies.::)
OK, I'm on page 37 of this 120+ page thread and tears are rolling down my face and my cheeks hurt from laughing! I wish I had a really funny one to contribute, but what I am getting from acquaintances is really annoying. "Wow...since you will be having free eggs, can we come over and get...
Thanks so much for keeping us updated. This just shows what happens when good people stand up for what's right. This political season people in general seem so cynical. This renews my faith that there ARE public servants who serve the public. Hope things continue on the right path and Ruby...
On the glasstop stove issue, I quit canning for several years because I was told not to can on the glasstop. When I found out that the Presto was safe for glasstops, you could have heard me yell three states away! I have a load of chicken soup in it as I type this. Been canning non-stop and...
Thanks, everyone! It's such a comfort to have support from experienced chicken keepers!! It would be so scary to go at this just relying on information in books. I think I could start a chicken-book lending library with all the reference books and magazines I've collected.
Ridgerunner, the...
That's what I'm hoping. The health dept inspector was obsessed with knowing how we planned to keep them warm in the winter, but I told him I was much more worried about keeping them cool in the summer. We had WEEKS of !00+ temps this year.
Is it better to have a heated waterer or to suspend a...
Started work this week on our first coop. Planning for a max of 8 birds, no roosters. This will be a combined coop and run, with the coop (on the right in the photo) measuring 8 feet by 4 feet and elevated off the ground 22 inches. The coop faces east. On the east side will be the nest boxes...
There is no mention of a limit that I can find in the municipal code, but he did ask me how many I was planning. I'm preparing for 8, and he didn't bat an eye at that number. You do have to renew your permit every year by January 31st.
WOW...great run! On a side note, every time we've used quickcrete on fence posts, they've rotted much faster than those that were just in the ground, so I think you're decision to use footers is wise.
From my experience with the health department, I'd go ahead and request a permit in January. Just note that you did not know you needed one and want to be in compliance with municipal code. As long as your yard is fenced and your coop is safe for the ladies, you're good to go! They'll just...
No cost for the permit at this time, but the inspector said that could change in the future. You know how that goes. Mike was the name of the inspector who came out. They responded to my application quickly. (The application can be found on the Douglas County Health Department website under...
You will love pressure canning! An additional note on your question...do not can anything that has been thickened with flour or has a good amount of rice or barley. The heat does not penetrate such items properly during the canning process. (Exception to this rule is a pie filling recipe in a...
Amen! It just makes me sick to see how little some people care for their animals. A friend of mine recently "confiscated" a neighbor's dog who was being severely neglected after her local animal control refused to do anything.. Essentially told them to do something about it if they dared...
WOOT WOOT!! Health Dept official just left after looking at our property and giving us a thumbs up! (For any future Omahans looking at this thread, we have a typical suburban lot within city limits). Off to the lumberyard for construction materials for our Cackleberry Cottage. Since we won't be...