Attention Rockwall Tx Backyard Chicken Lovers!!! MUST READ!!!

[Sweetfeathers]

WE DID IT! We are on the City Council Agenda June 15 , 2015 at 6 PM to CHANGE THE ORDINANCE so we can have chickens in the city limits!!!
BUT, We need you there to help us. My hubby and I have had it with the no chicken ordinance and the animal control telling us we will be fined for our sweet hens, but e need as many of you in the area to come to the Rockwall, TX City Council meeting this Monday, June 8 at 6 o'clock and help support our right to own/ raise/love our backyard chickens.

So please, take a stand with us, show your support and be there to help us change city code.

We have the support of THREE city council members!!! And I think the mayor is on our side as well, but we need your support!

If you or a family member want to have backyard chickens in the city of Rockwall, we hope to see you there, Monday June 8 at 6 O'clock.

Leah

 

[pmccollum]

We just bought a house in Rockwall. We have 1.5 acres, and horses are allowed. However, we were told that we could not have backyard chickens. What was the outcome of your meeting with the City Council? How could they allow horses, and not chickens?

 

[Sweetfeathers]

Sadly, still no chickens are allowed in Rockwall, pmccullum. We had more people show up against chickens than for supporting chicken ownership in the city. Almost all the people against us were from our own HOA in Turtle Cove. The president lined up his minions and the lies flew...

( We had our chickens for almost four years without complaint until the HOA president's wife decided she would take her unpleasant anger out on me and had the city issue a ordinance violation. So I had to give my two sweet hens to my daughter in Dallas, who loves having the chickens and eggs.)

We just didn't have the grassroots support to sway the City council members. Even though we had three council members in support, Mayor Pruitt was so against allowing chickens, it didn't even go for a vote. Several brave folks did go to the mike to support having chickens but so much damage was done by our HOA, we didn't stand a chance. Our HOA literally attacked my husband and I on a personal level, calling us criminals and chickens are so nasty they aren't pets just filthy chickens.....we were devastated as we love our two hens keep our chickens as pets and their coop very clean. The coop can't even be seen because of a big fig tree.

It's the negative people remember....never the positive....

So, it's up to a grassroots group to bring this up before the Rockwall city council again. My PowerPoint presentation and all the benefits of owing a couple of chickens for fresh eggs fell on deaf ears. It's time for others to lead the charge as we, my husband and I are now pegged as "chicken live matter" zealots.

Good luck, I hope you can gather many to support the change in the code to allow chickens, We will be there to help. One interesting aside to this....three big dogs and a cat are allowed in a small apartment with no yard but two hens are not allowed on 1/4 acre.

 

[smschulze04]

Was thinking of moving to Rockwall from New England; but now that I hear we can't have our chickens, I guess we will have to look for another town. Too bad. Rockwall looked like a great town. Shocking that there are towns in Texas that don't allow backyard chickens. We keep our coop and run clean, there is no smell and our neighbors don't complain. Our chickens are so friendly and sweet. People who think they are nasty and smelly really have a limited knowledge of chickens. How unfortunate. They say New Englanders are tough and rude, but we love our backyard chickens. It's a growing thing here. Hopefully, the people of Rockwall will come to love them too.

 

[Loamette]

Looking at houses in Rockwall. Very sad to read this! I really appreciate you trying to do this. If we move to the area, I will help you!

 

[AnotherAmy]

New member here-- hope I'm not stepping on toes by posting this.

Is anyone revisiting this issue? Our neighbors in Dallas, Rowlett, and Heath can all keep back yard chickens within reasonable guidelines. Those of us keeping small, clean, quiet flocks in Rockwall would love to be in compliance with the city instead of worrying that our neighbors will tattle on us.

 

[snicole08]

I've been in Rockwall a little over a year now and it still surprises me that we can't have chickens here. I used to live in Los Angeles county and I could have chickens there.

My husband and I considered getting 2 chickens anyway and building our coup between 2 trees so it's hidden but we have one of those really annoying neighbors right next to us who is constantly reporting people to the HOA.

How did you go about getting this heard in front of the city? I miss my farm fresh eggs.

 

[Deb T]

I just moved out of Royse City because they dont allow chickens either. Rockwall county

 

[emilyashton32]

My husband and I live in downtown Rockwall and would love to have a couple backyard chickens - I hate that it is viewed so negatively when it is simply a clean, humane, natural way to provide food for your family. If anyone is still trying to go to the City on this we would love to help! I am sure we can find others we know around town as well

 

[happybooker1]

Did you all read about the SB that's trying to be passed for ALL of Texas? HOA's would no longer be allowed to prevent chicken ownership, just the amount of chickens depending on lot size. Here's one link: http://keranews.org/post/state-lawmaker-plano-wants-all-texas-cities-permit-6-backyard-chickens