Texas

[Alkonost]

Also, forgive me if this isn't kosher, but I couldn't see a place to just rehome (as opposed to sell) chickens, and I figured that the best place to reach other Texans would be in the Texas thread. I'll be brief: a client gave me a chicken that showed up on her property and was being attacked by her chickens. It is very young and she told me it was a pullet, so I took it in and have been taking care of it for a few weeks. Well...recently it started crowing, so I'm pretty sure it's a cockerel. Since it's illegal to keep roosters in Austin city limits, I have to find a new home for this guy ASAP. Someone on this board told me he looks like a Rhode Island Red, but since he was a stray and I am still pretty Chicken-Dumb, I'm not sure. Anyway, he's very sweet and loves to be petted, and follows me around the yard like a dog. I dewormed him and, even though he's still underweight, he is in much better condition than he was when I got him. If anyone wants him, please send me a PM or an email. I want to find a good home for him.

 

[PunkinPeep]

Alkonost,

Welcome to BYC!

You can use the buy/sell/auction section to give away also. You'll want to post a picture.

I have also had success using Craigslist - but be sure to post in the Farm&Garden section, not in pets.

It's great that you're getting ready to "chicken up." I love that term!

 

[BoerneChickens]

Quote:
Welcome!! I live in Boerne so not too far from you. I have backyard chickens too and it is awesome

You can see pics of the coop I put in and the girls on my blog (link in my signature) - my friends - all non-chicken people think I'm nuts

.

We got our first eggs yesterday - it was very exciting

 

[allen wranch]

Alkonost,
It is not illegal to keep roosters in Austin, although the city council is thinking about it. If your neighbors don't complain, you don't have any HOA restrictions, and you like the guy, just keep him.

You can find ordinances here. http://fccooptour.blogspot.com/2009/10/resources.html

 

[Alkonost]

Thanks for the replies, everyone! Beth, thanks for letting me know that I can post him in the buy/sell/auction section for free. I will do that tonight.

BC, thanks for the link to your coop! I'm definitely trying to get some ideas about what kind I want to make or buy, so this is helpful!

Allen, thanks for letting me know about the city ordinance. I had always been told that roosters were illegal in city limits. Maybe everyone just considers them illegal because they often fail the noise clause? I know this guy definitely has been failing it for the last few days. He's been crowing loudly for hours at a time for the past couple of days. Now that he's discovered his voice, he's going to use it!! Also, I am definitely failing the "sanitary conditions" clause if preventing the breeding of flies is the litmus test for sanitary conditions. I've been hosing down his area every few days and sprinkling DE around the yard when it's dry, but that hasn't helped at all. We already had a fly problem before I got the chicken (from the day we moved in, actually), but ever since I got him there's been a fly population explosion. I was planning on posting something in the predators and pests forum about that later. Anyway, the point is that I definitely think it would be prudent for me to rehome him, due to the crowing and until I can find a better solution for these blasted flies!!

Thanks again, everyone! I'm excited to have found this site!

 

[josh44]

They just begining to prohibit, Roosters in San Antonio,

But they are allowed if being exhibited shown at a poultry show, or if they are used in any stock shows,fairs.

That was a close one

, if our city codes didn't state the exhibition part, I'd probably wouldn't have any roos.

 

[BoerneChickens]

Quote:
I had a big fly isue too - but the combination of Fly Predators (you can buy them from Spalding labs online - I ordered for 1 more chicken than I have so I have a little extra) and sprinkling Diotomacious Earth around the enclosure and anywhere I see flies "resting" really has cut down on them - huge improvement. For the DE just be sure to get food grade - not the kind they use in swimming pool filters. I have seen people post that they can't find it but I know you can buy it from Randall Burkee online - shipping is expensive but they are in Boerne so if you can take the time for a drive south it can really save you a bundle. That is where I get mine. You may want to call them first though - they usually only stock small bags - but I have had a 5 pound bag for several months and still have about half left - if you call ahead they may be able to bring in a larger bag for you - they are pretty helpful.

 

[allen wranch]

I get my DE from the Natural Gardener on Old Bee Cave Rd in Austin.

 

[BoerneChickens]

Quote:
Are there any places in Austin to buy organic Layer Feed? I can't find it in Boerne and getting it shipped cost me more than the feed. If anyone knows of anything in the San Antonio / Austin area I would love to know about it so I can take a nice drive and save myself $50 in shipping

 

[allen wranch]

Buck Moore Feed on Lamar has Coyote Creek Organic feed. Callahans also has organic feed. I think they mill it themselves.