How am I supposed to change the strictest chicken law???

[lvchicken]

I am trying to change a chicken law in Burleson, Texas, and they are SO strict!!!!!!! They don't even attempt to budge them! They prohibit chickens; even hens! You wanna know the weird part? They allow dogs, and they bark ALL the time! Any suggestions? Please, I'm desperate!

 

[mrsbos]

I'm feeling your pain, except it's my HOA that would prevent me from having (keeping) them....even if they are legal in the city and/or county. And I"m president of the HOA, but I've just discovered that many of my neighbors are anti-chicken, and do not like the idea that I'm housing three little birds (mostly quiet hens) on my 1/2 acre lot. It's enough to make me want to move....seriously.

 

[lvchicken]

Do you have any ideas on how to change it? Do you think that getting a whole group together to "protest" (not literally) against the law would help?

 

[mrsbos]

Yes, the only way the laws got changed around here, is that like minded people came together and rallied support from an even larger group. These people showed up at City Council meetings to bring up the issue, and had others e-mail/mail letters to city council members advocating backyard chickens. It was not an easy process. The key is is showing broad support. When I first approached the county about wanting chickens, they said they wouldn't change the zoning regulations just b\\c "I" wanted chickens. They needed to hear that a broad group of people supported such a change. Getting a facebook page made would be a good start. Getting media attention for your cause helps too. Luckily a local pastor spearheaded our group. He was also heavily involved in the local farmer's market and even wrote a book on sustainable living. He was a huge part in gathering support in our town to get the laws changed. Good luck!

 

[Gonzo the Great]

I am also in a HOA that is anti-chicken. It didn't help when I attempted a coop with some mis-sexed birds. (Yes, roosters crow ALL DAY...)

However, I am thinking, I am right next to a high school, and I will check if this school has a 4-H Club. My son is in elementary, but maybe I could do some sort of maneuvering with his school for an educational use. My yard is big enough to keep a coop down near the back of a large backyard and away from prying eyes. I never had any smells from the 8 birds I originally had. But 6 of them did turn out to be male...which in turn turned into really good soup stock.

 

[Woodcutterron]

Quote:
Hey Protesting "literally" as in "signs in front of city hall, can be quite useful. One key is to get those council meetings FULL of pro chicken people, by any means necessary. It's also best if folks do something so "the group" really stands out. In Gwinnett County Ga, they just had a bunch of yellow shirts printed up.

 

[lvchicken]

Quote:
Hey Protesting "literally" as in "signs in front of city hall, can be quite useful. One key is to get those council meetings FULL of pro chicken people, by any means necessary. It's also best if folks do something so "the group" really stands out. In Gwinnett County Ga, they just had a bunch of yellow shirts printed up.

That sounds GREAT!!!! What I meant by "(not literally)" was like running up and down the streets screaming "Give Burleson chickens!!! Give Burleson chickens!!!!!!" and so on and so forth.

 

[theghostandmrchicken]

I like the idea of gathering several Pro-Chicken people and attending city meeting's and printng up yellow T-Shirts.

 

[lvchicken]

Does anyone have an example of one? I'd like to see what it looked like.

 

[Woodcutterron]

Here is what the Gwinnett Shirts look like. The woman is selling them. No, I'm not involved in the shirts in any way, other than I suggested it and others picked up the idea and ran with it. I don't make a penny, I didn't design it, and I don't know her. I just wanted folks to know that.

Here is her member page, I don't know her E-mail addy or if she even has any more.

http://www.meetup.com/chickens/members/13634016/