Washingtonians

[JennsPeeps]

I've got myself a broody and hens with worms. So, since we can't eat the eggs anyway, I'm thinking about letting her sit it out. Anyone in the greater Tacoma area who has fertile eggs I could throw under her for kicks? I'd gladly return the chicks to you, LOL.

 

[weaveagarden]

Hi everyone. We have a city council meeting scheduled for August 31st in which they will be voting on a proposal to limit us to just 4 chickens. I could sure use some help. I am unable to remain upright and still have enough oxygen in my brain to participate well. Anybody close enough and with enough chicken knowledge and the where-with-all to help me to get some important information out to the group?

I posted in the "Local Chicken Laws & Ordinances (and how to change them)" area with the details of what they are proposing. But I could sure use some support at the meeting. I think everyone in town has gone underground with their coops and hoping not to raise attention to themselves. The only legal place I could put my coop was out for all to see as I am on a corner. Of course, that was before they decided to set a limit of just 4 hens.

Moral support here is also much appreciated from those of you who would be too far away to attend the meeting

 

[tomato lady]

If they pass an ordinance limiting the number of chickens you can have to 4 chickens, and you already had 10, will you be "grandfathered in" and be able to keep 10 chickens? I know a lady living in Tacoma that has 3 goats, and quite a number of chickens and they cannot touch her because she had them before any rules were inacted.

I know that is not the point altogether, because many who do not have chickens now will be affected, but it might help those who already have more than 4.

Other than that, just try to get as many people at the meeting as you can. Get some that are vocal. Write letters to the newspapers. Get someone to lobby the city council members individually. One thing I found is that by the time there is a public meeting some of the council members have already made up their minds and it is important to present new arguements in your favor.

Have they already had a "committee meeting". I don't know about your jurisdiction, but often there are one or more committee meetings before the public meeting.

I spent years as a community activist involved in one specific project. We stopped them for 13 years. Finally we lost to big money and powerful attorneys. But, we sure delayed them.

Sorry I am not closer. I will take a look at your other post and see if I have any ideas. Keep up the fight. If all the chicken lovers don't speak up they won't know you are there and passionate about your rights to own chickens.

 

[justbugged]

I am looking for a small incubator for a very reasonable price or would like to rent space in one. I am willing to share the hatched ckicks and or pay a reasonable fee for a short term use of a incubator. I have 36 silver duckwing bantam eggs that are fertile. I bought them at auction yesterday. I am in the south sound area, but could travel if necessary. I am a King County native. So I know the area very well. I would appreciate any help. 360-802-3883

 

[weaveagarden]

Quote:
They have had some committee meetings. I just learned of their plans. I had thought that the debate was over and they agreed to just table it for now. But someone on the council is pushing it forward.

 

[tomato lady]

Weaveagarden, try to get as many people out to the meeting as you can. Each person will be given only a few minutes to speak so if you can get people organized to speak on different topics it would be good.

You may not be able to stop a chicken ordinance, but you may be able to at least change the wording. Present, in person or in writing, proposals for alternate language in the ordinance.

Try to get a delay.
Propose that more study of urban chicken farms and their positive impacts be done. Could it be that many elderly or disabled people have chickens? Does the care of chickens improve the quality of life for people with disabilities? Do you know anyone who donates eggs to local food banks? Gather as much of this kind of information as you can to present to them and justify more study.

Have they considered allowing more chickens with a permit? Have they decided how they will enforce this ordinance? Is it enforcable? What will be the cost of enforcement and where in the city budget will the funding come from?

It sounds like you are getting into this late in the game but don't give up. I have actually gotten alternative wording (my proposed wording) in our county's Solid Waste Management Plan in spite of a large garbage company opposing my proposal.

Good luck.

edited to say: Is there an area in your city government that needs more funding? Fire safety? Imunization programs for children? Maybe the city could spend public funds in a way that would bring greater benefit than harrassing local chicken owners.

 

[weaveagarden]

Quote:
Very good points.

An aside::: I just looked at your avatar better, and see that it looks like a white crested black(or blue?) polish. That is one of the chickens that I want.... Just as a pet. I think the black polish look like little British Barristers. Thought I would name mine Rumpole, even if it is a hen... Now, I am not so sure I can affort the luxury. If I am limited to only 4, I guess they will have to be super egg layers.

 

[Rare Feathers Farm]

Black Australorp well-started chick, (looks like a cockerel)--very sweet from good lines (not hatchery stock)...$10

Chocolate Pied Muscovy drake hatched this spring $20

Two goats--4+ year old doe pygmy cross bred back to 15/16 boer

Doeling, born in Feb. From above mother goat & boer buck....

Make offer on goats--will consider some trades and I can deliver this thursday!

 

[Greg Richardson]

Try to get a delay.
Propose that more study of urban chicken farms and their positive impacts be done. Could it be that many elderly or disabled people have chickens? Does the care of chickens improve the quality of life for people with disabilities? Do you know anyone who donates eggs to local food banks? Gather as much of this kind of information as you can to present to them and justify more study.

Have they considered allowing more chickens with a permit? Have they decided how they will enforce this ordinance? Is it enforcable? What will be the cost of enforcement and where in the city budget will the funding come from?

Fantastic advice Tamato Lady!

I would see if you could organize a group of chicken owners in your area to make up an agreement form to supply the local food bank with a certain amount of eggs weekly. Have all sign it.

Show the council that if you are to act like big brother cause you are a bunch of uneducated clowns then you are hurting the WHOLE community.

Might also suggest on seeing how many dog reports of excessive barking, other problems caused by them and ask so I suppose we should limit one dog per block?

These people are trying to take away AMERICA!

I can't believe what is happening to this country.​

 

[brennant]

Hello! I am new to the forum and live in west Tacoma. (Near the Narrows)... I am in the process of finding out how feasible it is to have 3 hens for our backyard. It seems the spot I have picked out for a coop will be about 50 ft. from any home around us (we are kind of packed in tight), but am going to talk to the neighbor that might be most affected.

I am going to build the coop myself, and already have some scrap lumber to start. So far I am pretty excited about the process of building it

Wish me luck!