BYC Mentioned in the Wall Street Journal - What do you think?

[bawkbawkbawk]

The fact that the WSJ is discussing Salem, OR is significant. The WSJ is a national, rather than a NYC, publication. While mainly concerned with finance, the WSJ has some of the best writers in the country and every day there's an article on a noteworthy human - or in this case - chicken interest feature. If the WSJ is writing about chickens, then, as a recent article in the Economist said, "chickens are having a moment". Truly!

I thought the article was well-balanced. I didn't want to have sympathy for the chicken opponents, but have to admit, they do have a point. If people have chickens and don't maintain the coops well, then they have a point. I think it's incumbent upon us all to make sure our chickens have the cleanest, tidiest and most secure quarters, both for their sake and that of our neighbors.

It makes me wonder if some of the neighbor complaints we hear about on BYC might be a response to smell or unsightliness as much as a prejudice against chickens? Bottom line, though, there's not really a difference between having a few hens as pets and having a cat or dog. I don't see how these communities can ultimately uphold anti-poultry laws in those cases.

 

[Nifty-Chicken]

Quote:
He did! I spoke with him for about 20 - 30 minutes. I was surprised that not really anything from our conversation, or my name was mentioned in the article.

While BYC wasn't represented accurately (we're a site for people to learn why and how to care for chickens) I stand by my thought "Any press is good press!". If it keeps the discussion on raising backyard chickens going then it is a good thing.

 

[CallyB57]

BYC is a valuable site for many reasons.

There are knowledgable people here who know tons about chickens!
There are unique tips and ideas from new and old members that can help people with protecting their birds with proper housing and good diets, as well as great info on how to treat sick or injured birds.
Moral support and sympathy is readily available for bird-owners who care more about their birds beyond a plate of fried chicken or an egg...the loss or injury of a bird can be devastating to family members.
Good advice can be had on how to handle aggressive roosters, broody hens, persistent predators, the administration of vitamins and medicines...
I don't have to mention the laughter that goes on in front of all the screens, but mention it I did!
Another reason BYC is probably being inundated with members is because now that so many people know how chickens have to live their lives in the 'commercial' world, they are taking matters into their own hands to make sure the egg or the meat they eat does not come from a chicken whose life is nothing but torture. Not to mention - people are reassured that the quality of their food is as good as it can possibly be when they raise their own meat and eggs.
35,000 today, 100,000 next year...a powerful group of people to say the least...I imagine the WSJ won't be the only one to pay this site a little attention before too much longer.

 

[DDRanch]

Well, it made me mad. Unfortunately, BYC was not represented accurately and in fact quite misleading. The article was not well researched either.

The backyard chicken experience (3-4 hens) for responsible city dwellers is just beginning. My hope is that it will be long lasting and not just a fad that will leave thousands of chickens homeless in a few years. I have a feeling thou, as we know, you get addicted pretty quick.

 

[vfem]

I think we need to contact the man who wrote this article. This alone standing comment:

"One online network, BackyardChickens.com, has 35,000 members, up from about 10,000 a year ago. Members there solicit tips on how to keep illegal coops hidden from nosy neighbors and on how to persuade local politicians to allow backyard chickens."

Quoted from the paper is trivial... it only states and puts across one thing about the site, and one thing only. That we are here as an advocate group doing no more then trying to change and break laws!

That should be fought as it puts this site which in fact its MAIN goal is to teach people HOW to raise their own chickens. I think that was no more then a slap in the face to the site and what it is hear for.

Most the members on this site, probably a good 90%+ own chickens legally!!! The rest either WANT chickens and do not have them.... with a small percent left over who have them when they shouldn't have them. (And I am sure a % of those people do not even know they have them illegally!)

Honestly, a comment needs to be sent to them... most likely from the leader of this group of law breakers that we are

You know, the rest of use don't want to caught for our bad bad bad behavior. (I need to get me one of those voice box things that change my voice so people don't know who I am and can't come get me and my chickens. Too funny!)

 

[vfem]

Ok... well I decided to write them as no more then a 'fan and member' of BYC who found it offensive the only comments they had to make on the site put us in light as a group of acting animal criminals. Also, I thought it unprofessional the article came out so one sided... but that was between he and his boss.

I am more then happy to copy and paste the letter here if anyone else is interested.

 

[mjdtexan]

Quote:
I am, I am.

Mike

 

[wegotchickens]

Given the context of the article, it was a hostile piece anyway, so the BYC reference for hiding chickens and changing the laws fits.

Bad publicity is better than none at all, and being cited as going from 10k to 35k in membership is a hidden compliment, as well as a marker that us 'crazy chicken people' aren't going to go away.

I keep my coop pretty clean. I have too many birds right now, but have promised several to friends (they just haven't gotten them yet). But as I fed the birds this morning I was LOVING the smell of the coop. Did a flashback to being at Grandpa's as a kid. And I'm grateful that most of my neighbors have similar memories and don't mind my birds.

The WSJ doesn't want touchy-feely for their article, though. Not right now. But maybe they'll tell 'the rest of the story' in a rebuttle piece later on....

 

[Chicksdigit]

Quote:
Really?

Backyardchickens is so much more.... But if that is how we are percieved then so be it ....it is what it is...... in our way we are one of the groups that are trying to hold on to our freedoms.
And, the eggs are good..............

 

[oaklandathletic]

[I had no clue until I read the article in WSJ..Granted I'm a noob but I am a member of this site to research how best to give my chickens and ducks and geese the best life possible. I have read about people having problems with neighbors and towns but never about have to take ur chickens "underground".

But, I doo agree it will drawn curiousity to this site due to the press.....I really enjoy reading about chcikens and the people that raise them.......

Paul