Sacramento, California Bee articles on legalizing chickens in the city

[The Sheriff]

Quote:
The Citrus Heights/Orangevale border runs down the middle of my street!

 

[Esteri]

Hello Neighbors!

I've been lurking in the forums for a while now. And I'm really glad to find some local experienced folks. I want to start our flock this year and am rather flummoxed on where to get the birds. The hatcheries require a minimum 25 - which seems like too much for a newbie.

We're fortunate in that we don't run afoul (or is that afowl?) of the law. We're on 2.5 acres in Carmichael. Most if it pasture - and I want to pasture our flock.

In any case - I'd sure appreciate advice from locals. For example - it seems to me that when constructing coops - heat is the enemy for us, not cold. Does the coop need solid walls at all? Or maybe rig walls that can be put up in the winter, but are down all summer?

Also, I'd like to raise a few meat birds. But an uncertain about processing them myself - at least for the first time out. Any help there? Does anyone process birds locally?

Thanks so much!!

Esteri

 

[chicksrule1]

Hi Neighbor! I am in Auburn, and am on the same venture. After much research, i have found that your best bet is to order your chicks through your local feed store. Many of the feed stores around us get the chicks from the Belt Hatchery in Fresno. Your order can be placed with the feed stores order and they will call you when they arrive. If you want yours vaccinated, the hatchery will do that there, and probably tag your chicks so the feed store knows which ones are yours.

For your coop, the best thing is to use hardware cloth, NOT chicken wire! The racoons will reach right through the holes and grab the chickens. Unfortunatley the chicks aren't smart enough to get away. If you bury the hardware cloth 10-12" down into the ground around the perimeter of the coop/run, nothing can dig under and get into the coop. Make sure you leave no gaps of even a 1/2" anywhere, check the roof, ect. Otherwise something like a rat or snake will find their way in. The coop should have solid walls, but have ventilation at the top so that the ammonia smell does not build up. They do not like drafts, so you don't want whole walls open year round. windows work well for summer and you can staple some hardware cloth on the inside of the window as a screen. You can pick up used windows for cheap at the Re-store in Roseville and sacramento. Good luck and have fun!

 

[emeded]

Quote:
Placer county allows it, but you need to check by the city. I am in Roseville, and I can have 10 of them. However, they are specifying where to coop has to be, so it almost makes me not legit.

 

[Sonic Chicken]

Chickens are now allowed in Sacramento backyards!!!
http://www.sacbee.com/2011/10/22/3987967/city-chickens-will-be-legal-starting.html