Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Manatee Commissioners WIlling to Consider Hens, Citizens Organize

It is fascinating to see the same progression of objections brought up in community after community when the subject of backyard chickens comes up. As Yogi Berra said "It's deja vu all over again." These thoughts came to mind reading the Bradenton Herald's Sara Kennedy article County considers allowing chickens. On Monday the County Commission directed staff to research allowing chickens in residential neighborhoods. The 6 to 1 vote reflects an initial open-mindedness on the part of most commissioners.

One commissioner did bring up the predictable slippery-slope, domino-theory, camels-nose-under-the-tent, small-end-of-the-wedge argument: "If the county allows chickens, why not pigs, goats or cows?" Probably for the same reason that allowing cats doesn't lead to tigers and allowing dogs doesn't lead to wolves.

According to the article Manatee CLUCK plans a meeting at 6 p.m. Dec. 7 at the Central Library, 1301 Barcarrota Blvd. W., Bradenton.
For more information about keeping urban chickens, call 941-232-3090, or consult the website: 

Monday, November 21, 2011

CLUCK Opportunity: Sarasota County 4H Poultry Workshop


Hey Kids (particularly those of you in the City of Sarasota where is is legal to have chickens)! Sarasota County 4H Poultry Workshop could be for you! Do you have chickens? Want chickens? You don't need to be a 4H member to participate. 

When: December 3, 2011 
Where: Sarasota County Extension
6700 Clark Road, Sarasota, FL 
Time: 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Hands-On Instruction by Cindy Kinard
Topics Include:
Poultry Raising Basics Grooming and Showmanship
Record Books and County Fair Small Livestock Entry Forms
Bringing Your Poultry Project Is Allowed !
Please RSVP with Janie Besselman at 941-232-8420 or 941-907-0011 by November 28, 2011.


Manatee County Backyard Chicken Issue Gaining Traction

On Friday November 18th, the Bradenton Herald carried a Sara Kennedy story "Manatee residents unite: We want chickens". According to the article Commissioner John Chappie may broach the subject with his fellow County Commissioners Monday November 21.