San Diego Chicken meetup and Chat thread

[wwmicasa1]

Laurel,

Not only am I sad about your problem but I received this today & I'm passing this on to anyone & everyone who might be impacted by this impending "new Law"~!


"Hello Everyone,"

My name is Rachel Bowman and I'm actually a dog trainer in rescuer in
Valley Center, CA. My husband and I also rescue chickens, roosters,
pheasants, quail and other birds from San Diego shelters and humane
societies and re-home them. We also are hobby breeders of both Old
English Bantam and Silkie Bantam Chickens.

It has recently come to our attention that the San Diego County
Department of Animal Services is trying to pass a new COUNTY WIDE, not
city wide but COUNTY WIDE, ordinance on ALL residents that would
restrict the number of roosters you're allowed to have by the amount
of land you have. They're trying to induct this ordinance in an
attempt to eliminate cockfighting in more rural areas of San Diego
County. The problem is the actual ordinance has no limitations as to
who can and can not have roosters, it's simply banning anyone from
having more than 2 roosters on anything less than 5 acres of land.

This means, there is a possibility that all of us who breed for either
show, hobby or profit will no longer be able to keep multiple roosters
unless we are on 5+ acres of land.

Here is the SDUT article on the ordinance:
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2011/aug/01/san-diego-looking-curb-cockfighting/

And here is the actual ordinance information:
http://bosagenda.sdcounty.ca.gov/agendadocs/doc?id=09010e96800f2b5a

I've also attached a short article that I'll be sending to various
media outlets and local newspapers.

In an effort to stop this ordiance or at least have it revised or
amended, I am trying to collect testimonials from local chicken
breeders and hobbyists who DO NOT breed cockfighting birds but who
will be affected by this new ordinance. We need to show the Board of
Supervisors that it's not just cockfighters who keep more than one
rooster and why.

I'm also planning on attending the Sept. 13th meeting and hope to have
as many supporters with me as possible. I will be speaking to the
Board of Supervisors in an attempt to make my case. I'll also be
emailing and calling all of the Supervisors in hopes of persuading
them to change their mind BEFORE the Sept. 13th meeting.

If you'd also like to write to the Supervisors in support of our
opposition of the ordinance please send your letters/email to:

Supervisor Greg Cox
County Administration Center
1600 Pacific Hwy Room 335
San Diego, CA 92101
(619)531-5511
[email protected]

Supervisor Dianne Jacob
County Administartion Center
1600 Pacific Hwy Room 335
San Diego, CA 92101
(619)531-5522
[email protected]

Supervisor Pam Slater-Price
County Administration Center
1600 Pacific Hwy Room 335
San Diego, CA 92101
(619)531-5533

Supervisor Ron Roberts
County Administration Center
1600 Pacific Hwy Room 335
San Diego, CA 92101
(619)531-5544
[email protected]

Thank you for your time and I look forward to hopefully seeing you all
at the upcoming meeting on Sept. 13th.

--
Rachel Bowman, CPDT-KA
CEO and Head Trainer
Bowman's Canine Rescue and Training
www.BowmansCanine.com

 

[WhiteMountainsRanch]

I got that email too. We should all get together and draft a really good letter and we should ALL send it in!!!

How dare they try to say we could only have TWO roosters! Why punish US because of the people who cockfight.

 

[RHRanch]

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Agreed!

The only way to beat this is with numbers and by being organized. Showing up to meetings, innudating them with protest calls and letters.

 

[LALASD4]

I know Supervisor Greg Cox, I don't think he is against chickens.

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[crazy huhn]

Laurel: So sorry to hear about the problems with your landlords. I have already passed on your phone number to a Lady who buys mealworms from me for her chickens. All my best wishes and I hope it works out for you.

I also received the Email today about the change of the city ordinances. Only some urban people can come up with something so stupid. I had already written a comment on "Sign on SD", but it has not shown up (yet). If anybody else is planning on taking any actions, I will sure support that, even though I do not have any roosters.

 

[QuietPlease]

I want to start by saying I grew up in the middle of nowhere Montana, we had lots of animals, I was in 4-H and I love animals!

I sincerely doubt that any of you would be so inconsiderate to your neighbors that you would ignore their complaints about noise if your roosters started crowing at 4:00 am. You would probably be the first one to notice the noise and add soundproofing to the enclosure where they are kept at night. Nor would you sell your precious animals to someone who would torture them.

The new San Diego County Code which puts a restriction on the number of roosters is going to happen. It is happening because of mean people who fight roosters. If you read the new code, you will see that it is not as restrictive as the petition suggests. This code also has the support of the organization, Animal Control, and the poultry association. There are people who will be exempt from this new code. It is targeting the people like my neighbor who has 200+ roosters that crow non-stop and are used for fighting. If you truly feel this code is wrong by limiting the number of roosters based on lot size, then rather than fight against it, find a workable solution that will rid the County of rooster fighting operations and leave you to enjoy your chickens. As it stands right now, the new code would allow my neighbor to have 6 roosters on his 2 acres.

 

[Knock Kneed Hen]

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I realize that there are people that ignore laws and their neighbors right to peace and quiet. However, I live on a 4 acre parcel, the smallest parcel in my area. My adjoining neighbor is on 23 acres, my adjacent neighbor is on 28 acres. The number of roosters I choose to keep on my property doesn't affect anyone. I think that the MAJORITY of people that have multiple rooster aren't using them for fighting, but for breeding purposes and for pets. I don't know what the solution would be at the moment. I haven't thought about it....but I do know that I'm tired of government telling me what I can or can't have on the property that I've worked hard for and pay taxes on.

 

[wwmicasa1]

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I realize that there are people that ignore laws and their neighbors right to peace and quiet. However, I live on a 4 acre parcel, the smallest parcel in my area. My adjoining neighbor is on 23 acres, my adjacent neighbor is on 28 acres. The number of roosters I choose to keep on my property doesn't affect anyone. I think that the MAJORITY of people that have multiple rooster aren't using them for fighting, but for breeding purposes and for pets. I don't know what the solution would be at the moment. I haven't thought about it....but I do know that I'm tired of government telling me what I can or can't have on the property that I've worked hard for and pay taxes on.

Allison,

The last sentence you wrote says it ALL~! When our government can grow up & start acting like adults (as witnessed by the last few weeks) then "perhaps" I will listen to what they have to say. I live on 5 1/2 acres with my neighbor to the South on 40 acres. We are tolerant of each others animals & "his" parties & motocross track. I will take my boys' crowing at 4 am over most anything else. My neighbor doesn't bother me about my roosters & I don't bother him about the noise & dust from his track. That is what "being neighbors" is all about.

 

[SunnyCalifornia]

You know, I 'd gladly pay a small "poultry" fee like $35.00 to have multiple roosters on my 1/2 acre lot, and have that money go to busting c*** f******* rings, than have an umbrella law that prohibits having more than one or two roosters. 3 out of my 5 roosters are teeny tiny bantams used for 4H, yes they still crow, but they are not for any other purpose, far from it. They are love bugs that withstand my 6 and 9 year old girls squishing, hugging, kissing, flipping, poking, prodding, washing, and generally harassing them in the name of showmanship. And I have male chicks growing up, that will be the very same way!

I would hope that if any of my few neighbors have a problem with my roosters, would talk to me, instead of filing a formal complaint. I'm a very approachable person, and actually, I'm already taking steps to make a sound reducing "rooster shed" to put my sweet little boys in, so they don't awake my light sleeping husband. I love my birds, and I want to keep them. I'll do what it takes to maintain harmony.... that's what I'm about.

C*** f******* is totally despicable, and I completely support operations to shut *those folks* down. I don't think umbrella laws are the way to go. I could have 200 roosters, and no way, no how would I ever consider putting them in harms way. Its the bad people they need to go after, not the roosters.

My two cents.....

Edit: Oops... I don't think we're supposed to be talking about this subject..... I believe its taboo on this forum. Lets find a way to protect our flocks without getting shut down by the moderators.... its important to all of us, and we need to work in a positive way.

 

[luvanimals2]

Hi Laurel, I am so very sorry to hear this. People are so not understanding. My gosh, I would not know what to do. Who to let go and who to keep.

I have plans on moving to another place. If you still have then when I move in and have coops built then I can drive down to SD. I will keep in touch and I hope it all works out for you.

Nancy
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