Arizona Chickens

[Syl in Tucson]

Would someone who attended give a summary of what was discussed for those of us who couldn't go? I am not in the city, but like to know what the blasted bureaucrats are up to.

I got there late..but it was basically an informational meeting about proposed changes to city codes. Under the new proposed rules we can have up to 8 chickens as long as the coop is 20 ft from your neighbors' house. The number used to be 25 chickens 50ft from your neighbors house. There will be no restrictions on front yard gardens, but other livestock will also be restricted. Namely rabbits and goats.

 

[MagicChicken]

Quote:
I wasn't at the meeting, but what I read about the plan was there would be an allowed number of animal units per residence, and the animal units could be allocated in different ways. If you had both rabbits and chickens you could allocate the rabbit and chicken numbers any way you wanted, as long as the total animal units didn't go over the maximum for the zoning. It made a lot of sense to me when I read it. Now I can't find a link. I think chickens were 0.1 unit each, so you could have quite a few chickens - possibly more than is currently allowed. Don't remember how many animal units rabbits and goats would be. It looked to me like the city was trying to make it much easier to have animals in town. I am not sure why people are so upset, except for the anti-urban-agriculture folks. Those folks should move to Oro Valley or some other beige community where everything is already super neat and regulated. Urban agriculture rocks!

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

Quote:
I wasn't at the meeting, but what I read about the plan was there would be an allowed number of animal units per residence, and the animal units could be allocated in different ways. If you had both rabbits and chickens you could allocate the rabbit and chicken numbers any way you wanted, as long as the total animal units didn't go over the maximum for the zoning. It made a lot of sense to me when I read it. Now I can't find a link. I think chickens were 0.1 unit each, so you could have quite a few chickens - possibly more than is currently allowed. Don't remember how many animal units rabbits and goats would be. It looked to me like the city was trying to make it much easier to have animals in town. I am not sure why people are so upset, except for the anti-urban-agriculture folks. Those folks should move to Oro Valley or some other beige community where everything is already super neat and regulated. Urban agriculture rocks!

...yes, some other beige community.

I will reserve judgement until I can read something concrete. If anyone has a link to the proposal, post it please.

 

[Syl in Tucson]

Gallo...my impression was the same as yours. But tonight I find out that there are hard numbers instead of units.

 

[K9Dave]

I'll be at the Tucson meeting tonight.

Back from a 4-day trip and all the chickens are fine.  Guess they figured out the water cups after all!

Those brahma cockerels are total jerks.  They are going to be processed this weekend.  In fact, I think I'm going to do a couple tomorrow night--I'm so done with them and their blasted...maleness.  Happened fast, hormones must have kicked in. 

Glad those chicks made it the 4 days.

What are the little cockers doing? I separated my jeveniles Roos from the rest if them so everyone could relax.

 

[LadyKotaDoria]

Today my girls go to a foster home. I am going to miss them. I was to send Mary and her chicks but I missed them, they were up and gone. Fought a few chicks but gave up. Momma was having non of it.
They are not living in the coop any way, so it will not stop dismay allying it. If I made it 4" smaller I could have made it thru the gate.

 

[City farm]

So beautiful. .

We all had a blessed day. .

Where is this? So beautiful!

Yes it so amazing, 3 1/2 + miles into the cliff diving.. A beautiful hike in.. Wet beaver creek.. We can't wait to go again.. Our dog was going slow with her backpack on.. So on the way out we carried it for her.. It was cold so no cliff diving or swimming this time..

 

[pipemum]

The Sustainability code revisions can be found on this page, along with meeting info and such: http://pdsd.tucsonaz.gov/pdsd/news/sustainable-code-project . Basically, while the City says they want to make urban agriculture easier, they are really only side-speaking, the goal is to be able to regulate it ALL. Or at least have it all on the books so that they can regulate everything. Couched under, "well, we've had a lot of complaints that we couldn't respond to because it's not in the code..." Anyway, I'm not quite sure how to feel about this whole code revision. Personally, because my coop is 7' at the highest point, I'll be out of compliance, update or not....not that a single person can see my coop.

At the meeting, only a couple of opponents spoke. One apparently believes chicken folks will slaughter chickens and leave body parts wily-nily around the property and neighborhood....and another, what's-her-face, referred to small livestock as "diseased animals." Ha. Yeah. I believe it is a little late in the process, but I think some of us more vocal folks should have been involved in the revisions in the first place, because I think the 'beige community' livers had more of a say in the process. Sorry, Merrill, I know you were out there trying to rally support early on....

 

[pipemum]

Glad those chicks made it the 4 days.

What are the little cockers doing? I separated my jeveniles Roos from the rest if them so everyone could relax.

They are just being regular jerks. They are separated, except mornings/evenings when I let everyone out. One jackass ran over and pecked my hand and drew blood. He's first in the cone. I was so ready to butcher him right that second, but fortunately for him, we left 5 minutes later for California.

I'm trying to fatten them up because at 14-15 weeks they are still scrawny, but their bell is ding-a-linging on Sunday. I will not ever raise packing peanut roos again. Meat or no meat, they just aren't worth the feed or time that went into them.

 

[City farm]

Would someone who attended give a summary of what was discussed for those of us who couldn't go? I am not in the city, but like to know what the blasted bureaucrats are up to.

I got there late..but it was basically an informational meeting about proposed changes to city codes. Under the new proposed rules we can have up to 8 chickens as long as the coop is 20 ft from your neighbors' house. The number used to be 25 chickens 50ft from your neighbors house. There will be no restrictions on front yard gardens, but other livestock will also be restricted. Namely rabbits and goats.

Ya all don't forget to submit your input in writing.. Or email, call.. It is so important... If you are not able to go you can still be heard..