As you probably know by now, after three repeated attempts, we passed out of the City of Sacramento’s Law & Leg Committee and are on our way to the full Sacramento City Council for review and vote.

Say what? Yes, in the next few months, with your support, the Sacramento City Council will vote to legalizing egg-laying hens. Since we are in the final stretch, please consider doing everything you can to secure the support of your city council person and that of your neighbors. We’re almost there…

And please consider sending a special thanks to Councilmembers Cohn, Fong, Schenirer and Sheedy for voting to move the issue of backyard egg-laying hens forward at the Law & Leg hearing last month. You can find their info here.

And in case you missed it, we had a great write-up in Sacramento Magazine.

Stay tuned for next steps…

The city authored another report we think missed the mark on a few points:

(1) There will be no net difference in the cost of legalizing chickens. City staff suggest it costs the same amount now and in the future, whether chickens are legal or not. So, in fact, there is no additional cost to the City. Seems odd then that they might propose a fee.

(2) We should allow more than 3 chickens. While we are open to discussions, 3 is a very small number of chickens for the city to limit. Especially as some chickens age, you want to be able to maintain a flock of diverse ages and egg-laying capacity. In the City, by comparison, you can have 7 cats. It seems silly not to allow more chickens. In neighboring Roseville, for example, you can have up to 10 chickens.

(3) Clarify setbacks. Lots in Sacramento are of all shapes and sizes. We need to make sure that any setbacks are appropriate and from “habitations,” rather than from “residences” or “property lines”.

See you all on the 16th!

But let’s not get ourselves down…they are actually moving forward. The City Council’s Law and Leg Committee (Councilmembers Hammond, Sheedy, Cohn and Waters) will take up the issue of legalizing backyard chickens on Oct. 5th in the Council Chambers at 3pm.

Also, we have lots of new t-shirts in green, red, and grey, in cuts for men and women. Contact us at info(at)eatsacramento(dot)org to order one for $15 today!

We Need Your Help!

Show up on Sept. 21st and voice your support for the issue. If you can’t make it, and even if you can, please call your City Councilmember in advance and let them know you support legalizing backyard chickens (Just dial 3-1-1 in the City).

Details

Sacramento City Council

Law & Legislation Committee

Sept. 21^st, 3pm

915 I Street (New City Hall), 1^st Floor – Council Chambers

Contact info(at)eatsacramento.org with any questions.

The sad fact is that industrial farming is the norm in both Europe and America, and that whenever you have thousands of animals crowded together inside — whether barn egg layers in England or chickens at big organic operations in Northern California — you’re going to increase the risk of pathogens like salmonella.

Things are gearing up to legalize backyard chickens in Sacramento. Let’s give people an option for something rather than unhealthy factory conditions, let’s give them the opportunity for healthy, green and nutritious eggs. We may have hearings on the issue starting in September before the Sacramento City Council…so stay tuned!

See Powell’s full article in Reuters or other postings at The Ethicurean.

Our North Berkeley neighborhood is a haven for chicken fanciers. I’ve counted at least six coops within a three-block radius of our house! And we’re fortunate enough to live right next to one of them. Our lovely back neighbors, Fran and Chip, have three young hens in their backyard. In addition to entertaining Will, who now says “buck, buck” and heads for the back door whenever we say “chicken”, we also receive delicious eggs with brilliant orange yolks from the girls next door.After seeing how much Will enjoys watching the girls scratch, peck and flap their wings, I started thinking about maybe getting some chickens of our own. But how to begin? Fran was kind enough to answer some questions about her experience raising the birds. I’ve included our little “poultry talk” below in case you’re thinking about starting your own little backyard flock.

The exciting new “Green Initiative”  will work to tackle problems around water, energy, urban design and waste & recycling.

Unfortunately, the Mayor forget to include food. The Food Movement has been growing in the Region, uniting efforts to support our local economy and keep our bodies and communities healthy.  We’re sure it’s an oversight and hope the Mayor will work to make food a priority throughout the other environmental efforts.

Read more about the effort in today’s Sac Bee.

The hens are friendly, all things considered, and are looking for new homes.

There are 23 hens available for adoption. Adopters will need to fill out an adoption application and there is a suggested $5 donation per chicken to help offset the extra care and feed they require at the sanctuary.

If you are interested in adopting some of these hens or know someone who is, please contact Marji Beach at marji@animalplace.org. Hens will only be adopted into companion homes.

Please remember, if you know anyone looking for chickens to adopt, please consider your local shelter or a sanctuary like Animal Place before buying. Hatcheries are sad places where adult birds are kept in puppy mill style housing and where day-old, sensitive birds are sent through the postal service. Rooster chicks are used as packing material, so even ordering “hens” may result in a few roosters (who are generally tossed out or euthanized at shelters). Contact us first to see if we can find needy chickens for placement before buying!

Animal Place
www.animalplace.org

Buy Now »

It doesn’t take a farm to have the heart of a

Check this article from the Arden-Carmichael news.

It looks like chickens are making some waves!