Another CHICKENS '101' Workshop

Success with chickens starts with a realistic understanding of what is involved. If you didn't grow up with chickens, one of the best ways to get started is a workshop that covers the basics.

CLUCK's "Fried Egg" Tee-Shirt Now Available

Responding to pent-up demand, and just in time for the two-year anniversary of the City's revised chicken ordinance, Sarasota CLUCK announces the "Fried Egg" Sarasota CLUCK Tee-Shirt from Zazzle. 

This is the back of the shirt.

North Port to Consider Chicken Ordinance

Today a North Port Commission workshop inched the City one baby-step closer to considering a change that would allow backyard hens in single family areas.



Commissioner Jones has been hospitalized, so only four commissioners were present to discuss the staff presentation.

The discussion started with public testimony that included a young home-schooled girl that corrected a number of common misconceptions about chickens. Another speaker wanted to correct some statements that had appeared in print. If there was to be a fee, she favored a one-time fee, not an annual expense. She also thought chicken tractors were a good idea. Another speaker talked about the need to limit the idea specifically to chickens and not poultry in general. Finally, CLUCK advocate Jono Miller offered the assistance of the organization that led the 18 month campaign to revise the City of Sarasota's chicken rules.

North Port Chicken Alert: Monday Jan.14, 2013

Sometime on Monday morning January 14, 2013, the North Port City Commission will have a discussion regarding raising chickens in North Port. That discussion will start with a staff presentation and the City Planning Staff has assembled some interesting information (which you can access by clicking here).

Here are some noteworthy facts the staff prepared for the Commissioner's consideration:

Money can't buy happiness...

It's Official! Backyard Chickens are Pets!

In the famous Oscar-winning Christmas movie, Miracle on 34th Street, attorney Fred Gailey proves Kris Kringle is Santa Claus because the Post Office is delivering mail to him. If a professional, recognized, competent entity such as the Postal Service thought Kris was Santa Claus, the burden of proving he wasn't dramatically shifted. 

Now, in a comparable revelation, a professional, recognized, competent entity, PETSMART is selling chicken coops. Why is this significant? Because the retail supplier is not called FARMANIMALSMART or LIVESTOCKSMART--  it's PETSMART. 

Chicken Saves Family from Fire!

Several news sources are reporting that a chicken alerted a sleeping family in rural Alma Center, Wisconsin to a fire and enabled the owners (and the chicken) to escape alive. The house was destroyed. The chicken (named Cluck-Cluck) alerted the family in the early morning of December 27th. The fire started in a garage attic and the chicken was in the basement, but its loud clucking awakened the couple. The chicken had been brought inside because of cold weather.

from the Sarasota-Herald Tribune

NOTE: Since we don't have bitter weather (or basements) in Sarasota, this fire alarm system cannot be relied upon here.