Sarasota CLUCK Campaign gets National Attention in Backyard Poultry Magazine

The December 2011/January2012 Issue of Backyard Poultry features an article based on the lessons learned from the 18 month campaign to legalize backyard hens in the City of Sarasota. The article, One Dozen Tips to Legalize Chickens in Your Community, summarizes some of the successful strategies and setbacks experienced during the campaign. Backyard Poultry has now placed an online version on its website so that backyard chicken supporters will be able to access the tips for free without having to buy the magazine or find Sarasota CLUCK.

The One Dozen Tips Article is Based on the Experience in the City of Sarasota

The article features photographs by local artist Jean Blackburn. Two of the three photographs include Sarah the Buff Brahma (seen below). Sarah has already been featured in SRQ Magazine and in an earlier posting.

And one new (British) book characterizes Brahmas as "magnificently large, good natured and docile hens that make an excellent pet, as it is extremely ease to tame if handled gently". If you are looking for a mid-sized coffee table book for a chicken lover, consider The Illustrated Guide to Chickens by Celia Lewis. Beautiful watercolors accompany descriptions of 100 different breeds (and there is a forward by the Prince of Wales).

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There are several meanings of the word chicken and one is cowardly. We're not sure how cows feel about that, but shortly after the posting above went live, CLUCK received the following critical and anonymous email message and comment regarding the Backyard Poultry article: 

The first paragraph has an error. The vote was not 5-0 to legalize backyard hens, but 4-0. One commissioner was absent due to illness. Another mis-fact from CLUCK! 

It is true that the first unanimous vote was 4-0, but the second reading on the consent agenda (February 7th) was recorded as follows:

SCREEN SHOT OF CITY COMMISSION MINUTES DOCUMENTING
A 5-0 VOTE IN FAVOR OF THE ORDINANCE

So CLUCK stands by the article that the final vote to adopt was 5-0 and encourages those who take issue with chickens to have the courage of their convictions to identify themselves.

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.

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. 

CLUCK supports Sarasota Food Day Oct. 23rd 2011

CLUCK will be present and answering questions at the Sarasota Food Day event that will be held at WSLR on Kumquat in downtown Sarasota this Sunday, October 23rd. Please reply if you can take a turn and particularly if you can bring a chicken or two, which really brings people over to talk.

Click on the image below to enlarge. Sarasota Food Day is part of national food day.

CLUCK CITIES: # 18 Detroit -- chickens rebuilding neighborhoods

We've written about the affection and chicken advocacy expressed by Susan Orlean, Martha Stewart,  Alice Walker and Paula Deen. Now we notice Oprah has been on the case for more than three years. The April 2008 issue of O Magazine features a story "Gardening to Save Detroit" that explores how gardens, rabbits, and chickens are helping revitalize areas of Detroit by turning vacant lots into productive land. 

SRQ Magazine Features CLUCK as "Hot Rallying Cry"

The September 2011 Issue of SRQ Magazine contains a HOT LIST that covers everything from Bar Stools and Roller Derby to Bar-B-Q and Sectional Sofas. Sarasota CLUCK earned a three paragraph shout-out (Hot Rallying Cry) and a full-page studio photo that features Sarah, the buff brahma, the hyper-mellow hen that was CLUCK's unofficial goodwill ambassador during the campaign.