County Fair, Easter Warning, Big Manatee and North Port News

Sarasota County Fair

Still a couple of days left at the Sarasota County Fair (ends Sunday March 24th). Check out the prize winning chickens, and the baby chicks. Special thanks to Tom Dye who produced some CLUCK flyers that are available and the Kleinschmidt Chicken Tractors are on display.

EASTER WARNING

Easter is approaching and while CLUCK cannot independently confirm the statistics cited in the photo below, it is worth emphasizing that acquiring a pet is not a decision that should be taken lightly or impulsively. This year the stakes are higher because last year the Governor signed into law a change that will allow people to sell dyed chicks.

While weird, the colorful chicks are hard to resist, but don't take the bait. For one thing, these are "straight run" chicks --meaning roughly half will turn out to be roosters (and with average luck it will turn out to be more than half). 

Any pet is a big commitment and should not be undertaken without deliberation and preparation. To find out if you are ready to be a chicken owner, try CLUCK's Are you Ready for Chickens Quiz.

Big News Out of Manatee County

According to the Bradenton Herald, the Manatee County Commission will take up backyard chickens this coming Tuesday March 26th at 10:00 am. This is not a done deal, and local chicken supporters should show up (wearing yellow if possible) but it is encouraging that the Bradenton Herald editorial board has endorsed the idea. Best of luck to our neighbor CLUCK. 

Big News Out of North Port

And in North Port the news is that at  9:00 am on Thursday April 4th, the ordinance drafted by staff will be presented to the Planning and Zoning Advisory Board. For more on this story, click on the highlighted text: Spotlight shifts to North Port. 

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: 

 http://www.facebook.com/pages/Manatee-Cluck/200716266632260.

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.