San Diego Chicken meetup and Chat thread

[dfdesigns]

I'm sorry I've been kind of MIA... I kept meaning to RSVP, and time ran away from me. If we end up wanting to do a very small event with the non-Norco crowd, I'd be in. If we're super small, is there any interest in even meeting for lunch somewhere? A social afternoon always sounds fun to me!

 

[WhiteMountainsRanch]

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I'd also be interested in a small Ramona meet-up. I get my racing schedule this week so I will know more about availability after that.

 

[igotchickens]

Does anyone happen to have any day-old chicks? I need them for my broodies, whose eggs didn't hatch (I even waited an extra week)...

 

[Knock Kneed Hen]

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I'd also be interested in a small Ramona meet-up. I get my racing schedule this week so I will know more about availability after that.

Well Dana, so far the ones that can make it are you, wwmicasa1, All American Chick, myself, maybe Cari and DedicatedDourly. So thats 4 for sure with 2 maybes. . . lots of MIA.
As long as everyone still wants to meet despite the small group, I'm still interested. I guess we'll play it by ear for now.

Anybody else interested getting together in Ramona on Sept 24?

 

[All-American-Chick]

shoot we could have it here if you all wish.

I suggest though leaving chickens at home since it is here and we have free ranging chickens and a rooster that don't like to share his area with other roosters.

so just a thought,can think about it and go from that.
everybody can bring there yummy jams and such to sell and i wont ask for your permit either.tahaha from murray lake

Quote:


I'd also be interested in a small Ramona meet-up. I get my racing schedule this week so I will know more about availability after that.

Well Dana, so far the ones that can make it are you, wwmicasa1, All American Chick, myself, maybe Cari and DedicatedDourly. So thats 4 for sure with 2 maybes. . . lots of MIA.
As long as everyone still wants to meet despite the small group, I'm still interested. I guess we'll play it by ear for now.

Anybody else interested getting together in Ramona on Sept 24?

 

[dfdesigns]

I'm totally up for a member field trip; I really like seeing how others set up their facilities. In that vein, I will also volunteer to host our group sometime in the near future.

 

[All-American-Chick]

have it like pot luck style.
ohhh so much fun.bring the kids too so ours has someone to hang out with.

got my fingers crossed to having it.

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[igotchickens]

September 24th is my birthday and I have plans already for that day!! But if you guys are placing an order with MM I could at least run up there or send my boyfriend to pick it up!! Also, I'm sure people might take chicks but I need them sooner! Anyone have any hatching soon? Please!! My poor broodies have been waiting like 5 weeks for babies, and I feel so sorry for them!

 

[Knock Kneed Hen]

Quote:

That would be a lot of fun. I'd love to come with my kids (10,7, & 5). We'd love to see the goats too! What time were you thinking?

 

[WhiteMountainsRanch]

I just wanted to post an answer I received from Animal Control regarding that law. I am in no way supporting it, just wanted to put the info out there.

Dear Ms. Johnson:
Supervisor Dianne Jacob received your recent letter, and Chief Administrative Officer Walt Ekard, asked that I respond directly to you. I will try to explain in detail why the department is supporting this ordinance. I will try to assure you it is not to harrass or otherwise infringe upon the legitimate hobbyist or those with “pet flocks;” it is an attempt to keep cockfighters out of San Diego County. Many people will argue that cockfighting is already illegal and that is true; however it takes hours and hours of surveillance and other intelligence gathering to take any criminal action against the cockfighter and with our limited resources it is very difficult to stay ahead of this blood sport. Cockfighting is a misdemeanor in California while it is a felony in the surrounding states. Only the State can designate a crime a felony. Counties can only make misdemeanors or infractions. Unfortunately, this makes California an attractive place to conduct this gruesome activity. To combat this trend many counties in Southern California have moved to restrict or prohibit rooster keeping because it is the cockfighter who usually has hundreds of roosters tethered or caged on their property in close proximity to one another. Since many of the surrounding counties to San Diego have passed ordinances to limit rooster keeping it makes San Diego the location of choice within California. Unfortunately since the County does not have the authority to designate these crimes felonies, this ordinance is designed to be a tool to crack down on those who would be involved in this barbaric activity. You asked a variety of questions that I think you obtained mainly from the petition that is circulating. That petition is fraught with misinformation which unfortunately is causing many chicken owners to panic unnecessarily.

Q. “Every breeder of . . . may be subject to the seizure and subsequent euthanasia of their birds.”
A. The ordinance does not contain any authority for the department to seize any birds.
Q. “. . . easier for the Department of Animal Services to obtain a search warrant to inspect your property whether your birds are used for cock fighting purposes or not.”
A. This ordinance changes nothing regarding the ease or difficulty in obtaining a search warrant relative to cockfighting. Since the numbers of birds are in plain sight there is no need for a warrant. A search warrant still requires establishing probable cause of a violation of law before a warrant can be issued by a judge.
Q. “. . . an animal control officer has the right to seize your birds if you're over your limit and then search your house and property for anything else "suspicious or related to cockfighting", which includes syringes, antibiotics and latex or nytrile gloves. This means if you also have diabetes you may be charged with cockfighting Seramas.”
A. Again, there is no impoundment authority in this ordinance and this ordinance does not give any law enforcement agency any authority to search the premises without a search warrant. Again, a search warrant requires establishing probable cause of a violation of law before a warrant can be issued by a Judge. Furthermore the Department has made numerous cockfighting busts and has served numerous search warrants relative to cockfighting. No one has ever been charged with raising birds with the intent of fighting them who only possessed syringes and antibiotics. There must be evidence beyond a reasonable doubt taken in its totality for the District Attorney to issue a criminal complaint.
Q. “The ordinance doesn't define whether . . . misdemeanor or a felony.”
A. Only the state has the authority to make a law violation a felony. County ordinances are misdemeanors.
Q. “Will they allow the owner time to find homes for the birds?”
A. The quantity limits do not take effect until January 1, 2012. In addition this law will be enforced based primarily on complaints from the public
Q. “Who's going to enforce this new ordinance?”
A. County animal control officers will enforce this law.
Q. “Are we going to have to employ more animal control officers?”
A. No additional staff will be employed because of this law.
Q. “Will people who currently have over the limit, according to the new ordinance, have to surrender their birds or will they be grandfathered in and allowed to stay?”
A. There is no requirement that individuals surrender their birds and there is no “grandfathering” in of those with numerous roosters.
Q. “Is the county going to reimburse the breeders and hobbyists who are loosing out on $1000s of dollars worth of birds under the new ordinance?”
A. There will be no compensation.
Q. “. . . who's going to pay for the increase of pentobarbital needed to euthanize the roosters?”
A. We do not anticipate any increased use of euthanasia drugs.
Q. “What about people who raise birds for meat?”
A. Typically, meat birds are butchered at 6 to 10 weeks; therefore the birds do not fall under the definition of “Rooster.”

As has been stated previously, the intent of this ordinance is to curb the keeping of roosters by people who use them for cockfighting. In it, we try to strike a balance between legitimate poultry raiser and those who raise birds for illegal purposes. Unfortunately, some of those who benefit from or participate in the cockfighting industry are using otherwise legitimate folks to unwittingly act as a front for them. In fact, the various cockfighting journals and on-line forums advise cockfighters to align themselves with 4H, FFA, and other mainstream legitimate groups so as to put off enforcement officers. I hope I have answered your concerns. If you have any more questions please don’t hesitate to contact me at the number below or by e-mail.

Regards
JOHN CARLSON, Deputy Director
County of San Diego
Department of Animal Services​