Washingtonians

[ZoologicalWCC]

I'm new to the forums. Live smack dab on the Washington Oregon border just off I-5.

I'm a born and raised university educated Rancher's daughter. As a grown woman, we have a small not-for-profit Zoological Wildlife Conservation Center right in the middle of our ranch. The farm portion of our ranch is most aimed at the "Farm Animal Petting Zoo." We love our poultry and fowl over here!

I teach Ed-Zoo-cation Station programs through our zoo as well as through our areal Parks and Recreation Departments which give kids the chance to meet and work with not only endangered species Zoo animals, but mini farm animals as well. We even offer a "backyard farmer" program to *kids* of all ages. Another offering we have is for city kids that cannot raise chickens at home to hatch, raise, and prepare them for show at the local fair right here on our farm (it also relieves the parents of the extra duties of providing for the chicken during the week

As far as chickens go, I have a soft spot for Cochins, Silkies and Orpingtons as breeds with a new found lust for Showgirls. My favorite colors are harvest orange birds, flashy Mille Fleur, anything laced and double laced -- I'm usually drawn to the bold or just plain weird non-show-quality colors for some reason

I have a pet house-chicken, diapers and all, as well as a house-pet Sebastapol Goose (again, diapered), and 2 spoiled Hyacinth Macaws as well as a number of outdoor chickens, ducks, turkeys, pheasant.

I would love to make contact with people in the PacNW with show quality stock that sell bantam Cochin, Silkie, Showgirl hatching eggs for our class projects.

Kelliee
www.Chasing-Tail.com
Zoological Wildlife Conservation Center

 

[Mia_]

Quote:
The coop is against the back property line and is far enough away, the run is not. Also, they get the run of the yard all day. It is hard to keep the birds 50' away from the neighbor's house on a 50' wide lot and the neighbor's house is 4' off the property line.

 

[pettec63]

Quote:
Wow! how cool!!!

to the thread, we talk a lot around here, so it goes pretty fast, but we have some great peeps, and I'm sure there are more than enough here to help you find what you want! Congrats on the Zoo! Stick around some I'm sure we all can learn from each other!!

 

[Mia_]

Quote:
That really, really stinks. I cannot believe your neighbor is being such a Grinch about your chickens. I am so sorry Mia. I've got no room at the inn currently, but I hope someone you know might take at least a few of your girls so you can keep track of them. What color is your EE? It's hard to tell from the photos - does she have a crest?

Sorry...

Yes, she has a black crest. I think "buff" with black spots would be the best description.

 

[JenBirdRansom]

Hey Mia, did you get my PM?

 

[Totalcolour]

Quote:
The coop is against the back property line and is far enough away, the run is not. Also, they get the run of the yard all day. It is hard to keep the birds 50' away from the neighbor's house on a 50' wide lot and the neighbor's house is 4' off the property line.

I may be wrong about this, but I think 4' from the property line is not legal. Perhaps you could check with the local authorities, maybe a GC on this thread anyone? When we had our workshop built only 5 years ago, our contractor said it had to be 6' from the property line. He said all buildings had to be 6 feet away. (We have a very narrow property and wanted the workshop right by the property line). Maybe it's because we are not in the city.

But do check - if it really is too close, then she can't really complain about your chickens, maybe

 

[Mia_]

Quote:
The coop is against the back property line and is far enough away, the run is not. Also, they get the run of the yard all day. It is hard to keep the birds 50' away from the neighbor's house on a 50' wide lot and the neighbor's house is 4' off the property line.

I may be wrong about this, but I think 4' from the property line is not legal. Perhaps you could check with the local authorities, maybe a GC on this thread anyone? When we had our workshop built only 5 years ago, our contractor said it had to be 6' from the property line. He said all buildings had to be 6 feet away. (We have a very narrow property and wanted the workshop right by the property line). Maybe it's because we are not in the city.

But do check - if it really is too close, then she can't really complain about your chickens, maybe

Here, you can build to the property line, you just have to do it before your neighbor does. I think the buildings have to be at least 3 or 4' apart In the picture of my coop, you can see that her garage/shop (it goes from property line to property line, across the back) is right on the property line. And the shed is exactly 3' from it.

 

[JenBirdRansom]

Since I stepping in partway through this thread....what is her complaint with the chickens?

And what has been the process for you to appeal the city?

 

[Mia_]

Quote:
In the city of Tacoma, you have to get the permission of any neighbor living within 50' of your chickens. We went and talked to her, she said yes, and so we got chickens.

After we got the chickens, we found out that the permission had to be on file with the city, she has refused to sign it. If she had said no in the first place, we would not have gotten the chickens!

Our appeal to the city has been to give us more time to get her to sign.

When I talked to her last night, she was complaining about the amount of flies (what flies?) and the mouse problem (I have not seen a mouse in at least 6 months, and with two cats, I would expect one to bring one home if they did exist), and she talked about an animal being in the chicken coop (I had a hard time not laughing, my cat has been stuck in there overnight a few times, and from the time I got them Memorial Day Weekend, I have not lost any birds, given away yes, died no.)

Edited to add: I am not including the CornishX birds in that last statement, they went to freezer camp.

 

[Greg Richardson]

Mia.

the run is not.

Go to HD. Spend around $10.00 on chicken wire.
Go inside your run make a new chicken wire wall exactly an inch over the requirements.

Call the city inspector.

Have him come out see the new wall that makes the run the required length away from neighbors house.

Have chickens in the run not free ranging at the time.

Get it signed off.

Ask if the city is going to send a signed off copy to neighbor.
If not request they do.

If they say that isn't their job ask them who pays their salary.
Will OK, that's something I would do two inches from their face.

Instead, send copy certified mail to your neighbor.​