Michigan

[Olive Hill]

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What kind of cat do you have? Hubby loves BIG cats.

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That's a really good idea!!!

 

[Hillbilly Hen]

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Thanks

Also I agree Theron is a wonderful young man!

 

[Hillbilly Hen]

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Thanks Fife!

Have a safe trip and enjoy the time with your dad.

 

[Hillbilly Hen]

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What kind of cat do you have? Hubby loves BIG cats.

A 17 lb St Benard? Well he drools as bad as one.

 

[Olive Hill]

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What kind of cat do you have? Hubby loves BIG cats.

A 17 lb St Benard? Well he drools as bad as one.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/27698_frodo.jpg

LOL! That's a lot of fur. I'm currently on a fur strike. My lab mix sheds enough for a whole pack of dogs and I am SO done with it.

 

[Hillbilly Hen]

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I know...we have a husky too

 

[Olive Hill]

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I know...we have a husky too

is right! I hope you have a good vacuum. And by "good" I mean "runs itself".

 

[Olive Hill]

Did any of our South East MI peeps feel the quake? There are reports that some people felt it in Detroit...

 

[babigyrl22]

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There is such a disconnect in this country between people and the food chain, and such a lack of support for farming and raising livestock, I and my family only own 2 acres but I get every once of veggies and plan on getting every once of eggs from it that we can. I am writing a letter and pointing out theses things. Poor kid.

I'm sorry but there is a big difference between farming and raising a couple cochins in the city for 4-H. If you think the girl should be allowed to keep her chickens, great! Write a letter, but base it on an argument that can hold some water. Perhaps you believe 4-H is a positive program for youths that encourages community involvement, provides leadership opportunities, teaches responsibility and pride in accomplishments. That would be an awesome argument. Arguing that the girl is farming in the city with a whopping two chickens of a largely ornamental breed is however, going to hurt more than help. The city council will see through it in a millisecond, it will be written off before they've even read the name you signed to the bottom.

We really need to stop abusing the MRTFA as a way to get whatever people want. If you believe that everyone should have the right to a couple of backyard chickens, that's great! I agree! But this act was not designed to function in that manner. Yes, it has a loophole that some people have been successful in exploiting. That doesn't mean that exploitation should continue -- or even that it should have been allowed to begin with. Eventually the abuse will lead to the revocation or the stringent re-writing of the act that will result in actual farmers being put out of business. You think people are disconnected from their food now? Keep abusing the MRTFA until it's made impossible for small farms to exist in close proximity to population centers. The disconnect that you see now will be nothing compared to the disconnect thereafter. This is not the way to get people better connected to the source of their food.

Yes, I realize this won't be a popular opinion here, but someone had to say it. One way or another rampant abuse of the system always leads to that system becoming defunct. The MRTFA is an important law that we need here in order to take agriculture in the right direction in the future. I don't really believe anyone here would want it ruined, but I also don't think people are thinking about the ramifications of their actions when it comes to exploiting it for backyard chicken keepers.

Argue that the girl should be allowed to participate in 4-H because of the opportunities and lessons it offers youth. Argue that the lady who posted here a few days ago should be able to keep the chickens as an alternative therapy for her autistic son. Argue that chickens are of value to a family and community -- eggs, compost, bug control, therapeutic recreation, economic boosters as feed and accessories must be bought, etc. But don't argue that any chicken from here to Ann Arbor is automatically livestock in a farming operation. It's simply not true and aside from hindering your own argument it will eventually hurt many others.

And... I'll step down from my soapbox now.

I truly hope I haven't offended anyone too terribly.

Olive, I think that people cling to the MRTFA because that's the only leg they have to stand on even if it is a stretch. You know what? People are going to keep doing it unfortunately until we find a better way to solve this issue of having backyard flocks. Personally, I feel that if your neighbors are all cool with your chickens and you can get written approval from them then it shouldn't be an issue given the growning trend of backyard "farming". (I am sorry I call my little half acre my mini growing farm - I have a goal to see how much stuff I can create out of my little piece of land)

All these poor tax payers dollars spent of holding these people to the law for having a couple of chickens is just plain rediculous and a waste of time IMO. I was lucky, my nieghbors were cool. I was also told by the powers that be that if my neighbors didn't complain they wouldn't make a fuss about it. How cool is that?

You gave great alternative arguments. Espescially for the woman with the autistic child. I read somewhere that chickens are increasing used for therapy and if she can get her doctor to testify for her, that might make all the difference. I am not why people have such a stick up their butt about chickens but it will take some time to change the mindset.

Either way, great point. I think we all get pretty heated when there are people telling us what we can and can not do when our precious pieces of land that we own. It's natural. I suffer from it too. Heck, I want to expand to bees and I don't think there is any rules against that...yet. Heh heh...my poor neighbor thinks I am kidding about getting the bees. Little does she know, I am so so serious. :: chuckles ::

 

[Hillbilly Hen]

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I know...we have a husky too

is right! I hope you have a good vacuum. And by "good" I mean "runs itself".

Yes I have a good vacuum, just not a good back

I did not feel any quake.