Backyard Chicken Keeping @ Ecofest April 14th 2012

Are you planning to go to Ecofest, this April 14th? If so, consider checking out a 45 minute presentation that starts at 2:00 p.m.  Poultry breeder, Glenna Roberts, Urban Chicken Tractor Builder, Ira Kleinschmidt and County Extension Agent Rob Kluson will be talking about backyard chicken keeping. Look for them close to Five Points Park.

Backyard Chickens: Unfortunate Pawns in Neighborhood Chess

We had a CLUCK meeting tonight with a good turnout, but a sobering, somber assessment. As we went around the room listening to people's chicken stories far too many sounded something like: 

We had a few chickens illegally in the County, but they weren't bothering anyone and all the neighbors were okay with them until we had an issue with one neighbor and in suspiciously coincidental, apparent retaliation, county code enforcement showed up and we had to give up the chickens or pay a really steep fine, which was really hard on the kids, who still want to know where their pets are. 

CLUCK Visits the 2012 Sarasota County Fair

Florida Legislature Dyeing to Create Unwanted Chickens and Rabbits

We've reported on dyeing baby chicks before. This is not dunking animals in a dye bath, but injecting dye into the egg. While the high-viz colors eventually moult out, animal rights groups are justifiably concerned about this unnecessary procedure that may lure consumers into buying colorfully cute baby animals that they have little idea how to care for.

Well, the Florida Legislature has passed legislation re-legalizing this practice after 45 years of it being illegal. Only the Governor's veto pen can stop chicks from dyeing. 

Huffington Post: Artificially Dyeing Animals Approved By Florida House And Senate


Palm Beach Post: 

What color is the Easter bunny? That's up to the governor now

CLUCK releases beta version guide to busted birds

Although more work is needed, Sarasota CLUCK has posted a guide for citizens whose birds have been busted -- turned in to code enforcement. Entitled My Chickens Busted by Code Enforcement, What do I do Now?  the online worksheet aims to help those whose hens have been targeted to think rationally about their situation and what can be done. The document advocates working with neighbors and code enforcement to address concerns and recognizes that in some situations the chickens will be leaving.

The experimental document should be viewed as a first step in coping with the threat of losing one's birds due to a complaint, and suggestions are welcomed.

Next CLUCK Meeting: Weds Mar. 21

If you believe residents of unincorporated Sarasota County should be allowed to have a few hens, come join us Wednesday March 21st at the Florida House (4454 Beneva -- on the west side of the road north of SCTI and Proctor Road and south of Wilkinson) for our next meeting, which starts at 6:30 p.m. 

TAMPA Rethinks Hens

Manatee County is thinking about it. Pinellas just did it. And now Tampa is rethinking its approach to backyard chickens. On March 2nd the Tampa Bay Times asked: "Has the urban chicken's time finally come?" That news story pointed out that while Tampa (technically) allows urban chickens, there is a 200 foot setback requirement that means virtually all urban and suburban lots don't qualify. And the Tampa Tribune, via Tampa Bay Online, confirms that the City Council will discuss the issue March 15th. 

Hillsborough County Citizens for Backyard Poultry have an online petition and will likely get involved, even though their main focus is the unincorporated county. They had 162 signatures on March 6th. Here's a link to their Facebook page.