animal control came and said to get rid of my chickens!

[b.hromada]

Quote:
Thats so true. I mean, first of all, you'd need quite a bit of land to have, say a huge operation, right? Thats why the animal control calls them livestock. But we call them "pets". we did state that they were pets when we went to the last Commissioners Meeting 2 weeks ago, tomorrow. We go again tomorrow night too. Now to find a few more things to tell them about how nice it is to have some hens in your backyard as pets, not to be making money off of them.

The ACO said that to them, it doesn't bother them at all, its just that they keep getting complaints about them, and that they HAVE to come out. Now, if only the dumb neighbor would not call them any more, they wouldn't even know that we had them here. Lets see what happens when we move them to the other side of our yard.

 

[CityClucks]

Good luck b.h - I'm watching this thread to see how things turn out for you. I still say take a Silkie and watch the city council try to figure out how that can be configured "livestock." Livestock like a Yorkie!

 

[b.hromada]

cityclucks, I did, I got 2 silkies, do you think I should bring one tomorrow night with us? They are only about 5 weeks old, but are sooooo cute.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Give all your birds a bath so they are nice and clean and smell nice. If you'd gotten diapers for them it would be great, but not enough time at this point. Feed them nothing but grains (not the babies) until after the meeting--it firms up their poops.

How many birds do you have? 6 Hens and 2 chicks?
Take them all if you can easily handle them all--put dog harnesses on them and keep them leashed. If you can get one or two of the frouffy carriers used for tiny dogs and carry some that way. Hold one on your lap while you sit (in a visible location), interacting with her while you await your turn. Take her up to the podium while you speak. Continue to pet on her and interact as you speak.

Make sure all carriers are spotlessly clean, and preferaly more "pet container looking" than merely "animal cage."

 

[b.hromada]

I like that idea. I have a question, what would you use to wash the 5 week old silkies with? With those feathers on their feet and all. I actually have about 8 hens, and (3) 10 week olds, they are a SLW, RIR and a Gold Sexlink.

 

[CityClucks]

YES! Take one or both with you. If you are arguing that your chickens are pets, nothing will make your case faster than a Silkie. It's like comparing a Rottweiler to a Chihuahua. If they can say those are both "pets," then both your Rhode Island Red and your Silkie are pets. (sorry, I'm not sure what you have...besides ducks...which apparently are not poultry according to your meddling "neighbor.")

 

[b.hromada]

Actually, the neighbor wants them all gone. Our code does not say that ducks are livestock. Dumb huh? My kids say we should get an army of ducks and let them quack up a storm, then see what he has to say about them. I did bring the little silky babies to our PetSupermarket the other day, and people got a good laugh, because they are so darn cute, most people don't know that they are chickens.

 

[ChooksChick]

Also, remember that they do a stinky cecal poop when they're excited, so be ready to clean up the first round with clorox wipes or something that will zap the smell as you clean it.

My babies always get me with one when I let them zip around my bedroom, and I'm not relaxed enough to sit down until I count 7 greasy black poos...

 

[crazy for chicken]

people realy get under my skin if and when that happens to me im going to all the dogs i can find in my chicken house and let them bark all day and night... I have NO cat's or Dog's the chickens are my pets and this town can kiss my

 

[b.hromada]

thats for sure! They do stink. The wipes thing is a good thought, didn't think of that one. thanks