New San Diego County Oridnance On Number of Roosters

[BowmansBirds]

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I've known about this for a while and haven't even bothered defending myself since the claims are so ridiculous. They're targeting me because I'm leading the fight, so I expected some sort of backlash. What makes me really upset is the fact that this was copied and pasted to an email networking group for dog rescue and sent out to everyone. I am a well resepected dog rescue so fortunatley, I was informed of the email immidatley and have had many people rush to my defense but it still urks me.

That's fine though, it's just going to make me fight harder.

 

[BowmansBirds]

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Thank you so much! I'm also picking up letters from all the feed stores in VC and Escondido on Monday. Would you want to meet up? I'll email you, my phone's not working

 

[Czech's_chicks]

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Thank you so much! I'm also picking up letters from all the feed stores in VC and Escondido on Monday. Would you want to meet up? I'll email you, my phone's not working

I was only able to get 1 petition

The Country Feed Store had theirs stolen but were passing word of mouth to all their customers. North County Feed, horse people covered the petition - apparently they have nothing to worry about. Eve at Exotica Fruit Nursery was in an accident and they do not know where she was putting the petition

City Boy will bring our measly 16 signatures. At least no body tore our signs down.

And Rachel - if it's getting to the point where you are being attacked, that may be good news! if they are in fear of this being shut down, then an attack is the only way to help get their cause going again.

Just in case, more letters went out to the county supervisors. As nice as I could I asked that they educate themselves on fighting breeds so I don't have to take my childrens bantams from them just so I can have breeding roosters for my flock. Also asked them to take a good hard look at who this will really affect since gun laws didn't keep guns from criminals, this law (and so many that are already out there) have yet to prevent roo fighting.

 

[SunValleySeramas]

I was terribly dissapointed at the # of people who attended!! there were 5 chicken people, fighting for all who dared to say that is wrong on the internet behind the safety of a computer we dared to stand up, but when it came down to it no one really cared enough to make a stand and show up in person!! YOUR LOSS, San diego county. Every rooster you are over the limit will be counted as a separate fine!! Rooster is defined as 6 months, or crowing, or adult feathers which ever coems FIRST. For those of us who raise several breeder for show who have several color lines going and need several different rooster to keep lines going, if you had taken the time to come the the 1 hr Meeting might have had a different outcome!! Dianne Jakobs made a statement that "Oh i have raised chickens and i know that you only need one rooster in a flock!! and that you can eat meat chickens at 16 weeks old!!! Ok woman not every bird is a cornish and not every flock is laying chickens!! This is making me angry to type this out, Just like voting you cant sit back and say ahh others will vote and the one i want to get it is for sure!! WE LOST

~DISSAPOINTED

 

[BowmansBirds]

I agree, I was very disappointed with the lack of people who showed up as well but they have no one to blame when their roosters get seized and euthanized but themselves. We tried to warn them, we tried to encourage them to do something but ultimatley it's their own responsibility to show up. We couldn't force them to attend, although the idea did cross my mind. I for one, am seriously considering moving because of this ordinance to a place where aggriculture is supported and loved not looked on as a plague. I highly suggest those who can, do the same since San Diego County is only going to get more commercial and more city like as time goes on. The rural areas are no longer safe.

 

[SunValleySeramas]

Honestly, We had a total on 315 online signatures, I got another 45 from the feed stores and people who entered them, several petitions were stollen from the feed stores. I think that many of the chicken community were all squawking like a hen with the rest of the crew while laying an egg, all making a big deal but only one of them comitting to the act. Just angry, upset, I know it is showing in what i post and I hope tha you all can understand, I am not pointing fingers at any one person, just dissapointed for all. It just shows if anyone ever has something that is very important to them DO NOT SIT BACK, go in person never rely upon others, they will let you down every time... OMG i feel like such a grouch, I had a friend go with me yesterday, he has been breeding OEGB for 40 years he has 6 color lines going that he has had strong for 35 years. He needs at least 2 roosters for each color line he says if he is going to keep them going, that = 12 roosters, when he bought his home 40 years ago he made sure it was registered unlimited small animals, this is by the way how he makes his living by selling these beautiful little birds and he has done so all his life. When you show birds the popular ones to show are the males and that is what he sells, now he must get rid of all but 6 adult roosters!!! He is 73 years old, i hugged him as he sobbed on my shoulder yesterday, HOW ARE my WIFE AND I GOING OT LIVE HE SAID!!! yeah tell me if you would be angry!! The ordence was all about cock fighting and that is who they want to target i understand that, but the Crime, the people who are caught need to be charged with a MUCH harsher crime!!

 

[Laurelm]

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Rachel – Just a note to let you know that I appreciate all your time, effort and passion that you put into this fight.

I think their minds were already made up for the most part as they are probably a bunch of city people who think animals are “dirty” and stupid and they processes very limited thinking in terms of agriculture.

I am sorry there wasn’t a stronger showing. I for one had to work but I did get about 20 signatures on the petition and write letters.

Not making excuse…just stating facts.

Mainly just wanted to thank you.

 

[mrsbrcant]

Agreed!, Thank you Rachel, I saw the video and you were wonderful but it also sounded like they weren't listening. They didn't even seem to understand what you were saying. The hearings are scheduled when we have to work so we write letters but I don't think they read them. I should have tried harder to get there. What will happen now for most people is that you will be in the same position that I have been in for years. You will either give up your birds or try to keep them anyway and be at the mercy of the kindness of your neighbors. I live in incorporated Escondido on a 1/3 acre lot not in an animal overlay zone. I have known for years that one complaint from my neighbors and my flock would have to go, even the hens, no 4H exemption where I live. I have three dogs and I am only allowed two and I could get in trouble for that too. My plan B was always I could move our birds to my brother's house in Lakeside if I had to. We had hoped someday to be able to move to an area zoned for poultry but for now we are stuck where we are. We go to great lengths not to upset our neighbors. We crate our roosters in the garage at night and don't let them out until we are sure everyone is up and we try to keep a low profile in the neighborhood. We don't ever complain about anyone else. It is stressful always worrying that someday some one could turn us in but we love our chickens and we will keep them and enjoy them as long as our neighbors allow us to. But every time i see animal control or a code enforcement officer drive by.....

I wrote letters and I am going to continue to write letters.

 

[BowmansBirds]

Thank you guys for the kind words, I apologize for airing my frustrations. I guess I'm just a sore looser but this ordinance meant a great deal to me and I am truly dissapointed that it passed.

On a brighter note, the North County Times has contacted me and are interested in doing an article on how people will be affected by the ordinance. He's interested in interviewing some of us who are legitimate poultry enthusiasts as well as take pictures of our birds.

Anyone interested? I think it'd be awesome to get us all together at someone's ranch with our favorite roosters and get a group photo of all of us, each one holding a rooster.

 

[Knock Kneed Hen]

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That's a great idea!! Lots of kids in the photos too, although I don't know if I can convince any of my kids to hold our roo.

Thanks for your efforts. I know that it's got to be frustrating. Right now folks need to pull together.