Buffalo exploring changing ordinance

[Mnkytales]

I don't post often (perhaps that is why I didn't get many responses to my post for help last week) but have been reading all of the wonderful information housed here on keeping chickens since I started by five hens last summer. Last Saturday I posted my story that animal control officers came to my door. Needless to say I was devastated and didn't know where to turn. Since then a lot has happened - great media attention and meetings with my councilman at city hall. Here are the links that tell my story here in Buffalo. Anyone that can send me information on their city ordinances - how to get copies etc. would be greatly appreciated. It looks as if I will have my chance to revise our ordinance and present to the council for a vote soon, so I hope to have good news.

http://www.wkbw.com/news/local/42159217.html

http://artvoice.com/issues/v8n14/news_briefs/secret_chickens

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1378680976&v=feed

http://www.wivb.com/dpp/news/is_urban_farming_law_for_the_birds_090401

http://www.buffalonews.com/cityregion/story/625663.html

http://www.facebook.com/ext/share.php?sid=78017869427&h=Kv8WH&u=J7yWr&ref=mf


http://www.buffalorising.com/2009/03/til-the-chickens-come-home.html

http://www.gardenrant.com/my_weblog...ml#comment-6a00d83451bd5e69e201156faa5adf970b

 

[Karlachix]

I watched the news clip. That was very nice positive coverage you received! You presented it very well and sounded very reasonable. I voted for chickens (not with blue cheese) on the "buffalorising" website.

I'm going to subscribe to this topic and I hope that you'll keep us updated on the progress.

I hope that everything turns out very well for you!!! You must miss them.

 

[Karlachix]

Rivera already has been talking with Council peers and is hosting a Friday strategy session with an eye toward changing the law.

Any news on this?​

 

[chickenguysmom]

I hope it works out for you. I grew up in Buffalo and think what you are doing is great. Taking some of the great old neighborhoods back is wonderful.
I now live in Alabama in a nice subdivision and many of our neighbors know we keep chickens in our backyard. You would think that because we are in Alabama that everyone here would be ok with it (they are not). I get alot of questions from folks when I tell them I keep chickens in the backyard. Mostly from people I work with or friends. I try not to engage the neighbors about it..... the less they know the better. I would hate to be asked to remove them.... it would just crush me. Where I think I am "urban" and "progressive" and "forward thinking" and "hip" alot of people around here want to shake free from the past perception that people in Alabama are all poor dirt farmers running around with bare feet with chickens in the yard.
My MIL from KY told me she thinks chickens are dirty and she would never have any. She is in her mid-60's and grew up having to collect eggs in her grandmother's coop. For her, the ultimate in "making it" was to be able to buy eggs at the store and not keep chickens. And crazy ol' me thinks that I am doing something noble by giving my family fresh eggs free from pesticides and rich in nutrients. I also plant a garden for fresh vegetable and see this as no different from growing your own food to keep your family healthy.
Keep up your efforts and keep us all posted on your progress.