California - Northern

[sewandgrow]

Liz and Karen...If you all make a play date can I come play too?

I only live 15 minutes from Karen. And now that I've invited myself, ignore it if it sounds pathetic and needy.

You both are more than welcomed. Liz has already been here more than once & you were my neighbor at one time remember. I have a Hovabator ( I think that's what Liz got). I am about ready to set it up.
I have the Fresno show tomorrow but after that will be fine. I think Liz works outside the home so we would need to schedule something around her work schedule. Just let me know. I think I gave you my number.

 

[lizanne]

Is anyone an expert on codes? I'm in sac. I have chickens on 4 acres. There's no way my neighbors could complain. Since I have this land, can I legally have chickens????

I guess it depends on where you are in Sac, and your zoning (what zone your house is in). This is what the city code says:

9.44.860 Keeping of chickens—Unlawful—Restrictions.
A. It is unlawful to keep, possess, or maintain chickens on any parcel of property located in the city, except in accordance with the following restrictions:
1. A maximum of three hen chickens may be kept on a developed lot used exclusively for residential purposes, but only if authorized under a permit issued pursuant to this article.
2. All hen chickens shall be confined in a pen, coop, or cage, or other enclosure at all times.
3. All hen chickens shall be kept within an enclosure that is at least 20 feet distant from any dwelling unit on an adjacent parcel. The definition of “dwelling unit” in section 17.108.050 of this code shall apply to this section. Enclosures shall be situated in the rear yard. Enclosures shall not obstruct or partially obstruct any required exits from any dwelling unit.
4. No hen chickens shall be kept in the front yard on any developed lot used exclusively for residential purposes.
5. No hen chickens kept on a lot shall be allowed to create a noise disturbance audible on any adjoining lot.
6. No hen chickens shall be slaughtered on any developed lot used exclusively for residential purposes.
B. Roosters are not permitted on any developed lot used exclusively for residential purposes. (Ord. 2013-0021 § 30; Ord. 2011-039 § 2)
This article shall not apply:
A. To any parcel of property zoned for agricultural uses by applicable provisions of the Planning and Development Code or to any property zoned rural estates and located within the area bounded by Sotnip Road on the south, Sorento Road on the west, and East Levee Road on the north and east (and generally known as Valley View Acres), or to any property zoned M-1(S)R-AOL and located with the area fronting on Ascot Avenue and bounded by Dry Creek Road on the west and Raley Boulevard on the east (and generally known as the Ascot Avenue overlay zone).
B. Where keeping, harboring, or maintaining hen chickens would constitute a valid nonconforming use under the applicable provisions of the Planning and Development Code. (Ord. 2013-0021 § 31; Ord. 2011-039 § 2)

 

[sewandgrow]

Anyone here have a connection for pheasant eggs?

My grown son has Lady Amherst here but they are not laying yet. He lost his Red Golden rooster last year. It just disappeared?????? So he no longer has them.

 

[AmyPaperlady]

Dear Mille Fleur Leghorns,

The day I brought you home, I watched a sister of yours amble down the lane and give your current owner a run. I thought she must be especially brave.

I didn't know that you would make me practice my throwing arm to perfection. I didn't know you could fly to the top of our very high garage and be dumb enough to just sit there like hawk fodder. Chicken legs served hot and ready up there! I didn't know you'd be impervious to the softball sized rocks I toss - hitting the garage roof right beside you. I didn't know that it would take throwing a 2 x 4 30 feet in the air to get your attention. I didn't know you would be that different from my other birds. Are you completely oblivious to the family of hawks that live in the neighbors trees?

I know that you think your spots are camo. Keep in mind they are not. I can spot you out of your pen from 200 feet away. Your profile is different little miss, the spots won't hide you from my eagle eye. And the Silver Laced Wyandotte looks nothing like you. I know you like company for tea and corn cakes but please stop. By the way, how did you get miss Wyandotte INTO the fully secured, covered-with-bird-netting run that is attached to the little hen house with locked doors? Since I, as a human with opposable thumbs had to wait until she was in the nesting box and lift the lid to get her out, I'm fully flummoxed how you managed to get her in. No, don't blame it on her. She's not the smart one of the bunch.

I now know that watching your sister lead the pack the day I brought you home should have been a red flag. But the last few weeks have been a bit much. Now I see you are burrowing underneath the hen house. The hen house sits on the ground for a reason. You've burrowed so much it is starting to list. We are going to have to invest in concrete anchors. Oh, and yes. I did notice the egg you laid under there yesterday. Did you notice my daughter laying on her stomach fishing it out with a stick? Oh yes, opposable thumbs win, EVERY TIME.

Little miss MFL, you are too small to make a decent soup so you might be the only bird on our property that is officially up to no good. That is all.

I don't think I want MFL anymore... (Well, actually, when I learned that they don't lay white eggs was when I'd mostly decided, but this clinched it

)

 

[CackleJoy]

I don't think i want MFL anymore... (Well, actually, when I learned that they don't lay white eggs was when I'd mostly decided, but this clinched it

)

It's not just MFL that can be this way.

Might have to write another letter someday. I have 2 other chickens determined to be different and CAUSE TROUBLE but they are redeemed by laying blue eggs.

I'm not fond of super white eggs. They look store bought to me. Funny how we all think different. Have a friend who was horrified, yes horrified at the thought of blue eggs in the carton.

 

[Audio51]

@chickee Woo Hoo...I finally got my first blue green egg today from the buff x wheaten hen! She was in the nest box when I went in to collect eggs but was standing on the lip. I quickly closed the lid and then heard her singing the egg song within about 30 seconds. She came out of the coop a few minutes later so I checked again and there it was! It was perfect...and very shiny! I am so happy to add this color to my egg basket!

 

[CackleJoy]

The feedstore I go to is really bad that way... They even put their homegrown unsexed chicks with their hatchery bought ones. Beware when buy Barred Rocks or RIR from them, lol, you have a pretty good chance of getting roosters!

-Kathy

I have a friend whose BR (feed store) lays a huge chalk white egg??? Funniest thing

 

[AmyPaperlady]

It's not just MFL that can be this way.

Might have to write another letter someday. I have 2 other chickens determined to be different and CAUSE TROUBLE but they are redeemed by laying blue eggs.

I'm not fond of super white eggs. They look store bought to me. Funny how we all think different. Have a friend who was horrified, yes horrified at the thought of blue eggs in the carton.

I mostly want white for the contrast.

 

[farmhand]

I have some chicks coming from Privett Hatchery in NM. Supposed to arrive today but are still in San Jose so maybe Saturday morning. I'm not sure what their condition will be being late. Need advice on any special care since they will be longer in shipment.

 

[liz9910]

Quote:
Congrats! I also have pullets from @chickee and the eggs are sure beautiful!