Hurrah for mid-Mo!

[biddyboo]

I just read on the news that the city council of Columbia, Missouri, has just approved backyard chickens, limited to six hens, no roos, and spacial requirements for location of coop in relation to property lines and neighbors. I grew up in Columbia, live a dozen miles from there now, enjoy the local Farmers' Markets, and consider this a positive step, one that shows appreciation for the products (eggs) and useful side benefits (compost), and the opportunity to help many of today's kids who are so protected from the farm and food production to develop some understanding of wholesome home-produced foods. I'm sure the way will be somewhat rocky at times as people adjust to change, but I'm hoping all Columbia's little backyard flocks much success. ~G

 

[PineappleMama]

Yeah, I was thinking that too, but then I actually thought about the property line rule and realize that my city didn't put that there to allow chickens, but to ban them without looking like jerks. Just started a topic about it, Our City... in that town every lot might be 100+ feet wide so it wouldn't be an issue, but around here that stinking 'feet from line/neighbor dwelling rule' just sinks the whole thing.

 

[ellent]

Yes, I am an excited new member of BYC, since I live in Columbia, and am now celebrating last night's council decision by deciding on coop designs and breeds, checking out all of the great info here.

 

[biddyboo]

Ellent, I understand your excitement. Here near Ashland, we started our quest for coop and hens last spring, and by May, we had a half dozen hens and our son and his friend had built us a coop that is serving us well. We stocked our flock by shopping the classified ads in Columbia and Jeff City papers and by searching Craigslist in the Columbia-JC area. We call ourselves the Chicken Rescue Ranch because our hens looked like culls for the most part as we purchased them from area flocks, but they have thrived and of our fifteen standard hens, daily we are getting from 11 to 13 big brown and cream eggs with a green egg every other day. For that to happen through our cold January, we're pleased. I think you'll love your girls and, if you've not kept hens before, you have so much fun ahead, learning their funny personalities and preferences. You'll have ready disposals for all your left over foods as well. So glad to have you on BYC! Enjoy! ~G

 

[ivan3]

Hope they make it through the `fad' spring and summer without giving Waters any additional ink.

Those of you in town: use welded wire/electric fencing. Don't waste time with anything less. Not only are you going to have the urban Opossum and Raccoon (just saw one cater-cornering Ash&7th by the armory when dropping off mail at 7AM), you'll have all those dogs. At least out in the County this problem can be dealt with summarily.

Good luck.

Too far out to be annexed...

 

[onecent]

Thats great! im very happy for Columbia,MO

thats means more BYCers!!!

 

[littlegorb]

woohoo! happy for you guys! another city has come to it's senses! send some of that common sense this way....

 

[teddiliza]

I was celebrating too, even though I don't live in Columbia, because I thought 'Great! More chicken people!' Does anyone have a link to the actual wording on the ordinance? I just saw an ad for a bunch of 2 yr old black sex links on Craigslist and I thought 'Man they have good timing!' I heard the animal shelter is really worried about fostering abandoned chickens or the occasional 'accidental rooster'. But I think chickens are easier to 'sell' or 'give away' than Cats&Dogs. I've given away or sold about 5 roosters so far this year. I may have to start raising some heavy breed chickens again for fun if there's a local market for them.