Thursday, July 23, 2020

Saturday, May 12, 2012

2012 Tour de Coop in Raleigh!

This is the biggest event of the year for local chicken enthusiasts! May 19, rain or shine http://www.tourdcoop.com/

Saturday, March 10, 2012

Contact info

I am available for questions, consultations, HOA or ordinance guidance, school incubator loans, and booths.

Kristen@friends of hens.com or 919-285-1HEN

Monday, April 26, 2010

Raleigh's Tour d'Coop



Raleigh's Fifth Annual Tour d'Coop is Saturday 5/15 from 10-4. If you want to see what all this fuss is about, check it out. It's also a great way to get ideas for your own coop. I attended the first one out of curiosity and fell in love with chickens, so beware!


http://hensidethebeltline.blogspot.com/

Another booth at IBM

IBM in RTP is home to 10,000 employees, including me. I had a Friends of Hens booth for their "Take Your Child to Work Day" and "Earth Day" event on Thursday 4/22. It was a well organized and well-attended event. Many parents and their children came by to see my white silkie and her golden laced polish chick. Lots of them knew someone with chickens or were planning on getting some themselves. I guess it's not the crazy idea it once was (and I like that).

Monday, April 19, 2010

White Deer Park "Get Your Green On"

We had a successful booth for both Friends of Hens and Garner Grows at White Deer Park on Saturday. Many people came by to see Rosie the Serama hen and her three baby dark brahma bantam chicks (and her sister Rose). Thank you to the Town of Garner for allowing us to bring the hens as an educational exhibit.

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Chick Days


Hudson's Hardware in Garner and Clayton is having Chick Days now. They have a great variety of chicks! If anyone in the Garner area is interested in keeping pet chickens, we can provide a tour and advice.

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Hens in Garner - resolution is no resolution

On 2/23, the Law and Finance Committee (composed of two council members) came to the work session split on whether or not to recommend a change to the current ordinance which allows for 4 hens on 1 acre lots or larger. Gra Singleton pointed out that Raleigh has no restrictions and no issues. Ken Marshburn said he wouldn't support it because of HOAs [but that is really a separate issue and disregards all the people in Garner not under an HOA]. Buck Kennedy said that he received more letters about this issue than any other and they were 5 to 1 in favor of chickens, but... he could not support it because there would be pandemonium in Garner if it were to change [I haven't noticed pandemonium in Raleigh, Apex, Wake Forest...]. Kathy Behringer, who told me before the election at the grand opening of White Deer Park that she was in favor of this and her husband wanted to get some hens, now said she didn't support it. She said that although some people [me] are responsible, she didn't think the people in Garner would be. [What does that say about what she thinks of her constituents?] She also said if you were interested in chickens, get a variance from your HOA. [What? They are unlawful but go ahead and get permission from your HOA? That makes no sense]. Jackie Johns didn't seem to have a strong opinion either way, but sided with the majority.

Since there was not enough support for a vote, it died in committee.

I came away from the meeting disappointed at the reasons the council members gave for not supporting it. It was more prejudice and hear-say than anything else. People who don't like hens can't point to a small backyard flock of hens that bother them - they just don't like the "idea" of hens. The fact is there are hens in Garner and no one knows it because they are so insignificant. There is no pandemonium.

We are not giving up. We will keep this campaign going. Unfortunately, no one is up for reelection until 11/2011, not that campaign promises mean anything as I experienced firsthand. We will have to change the minds of the current council, and make them earn our vote next time.

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Will we even get a vote?

Updated 2/19 with new date and time:
The Law and Finance Committee will present their recommendation on whether or not to move forward with the revised chicken ordinance at the next Town Council meeting Tuesday 2/23 at 6PM. If they move forward, there will be a public comment session scheduled, and then a vote by the town council. If not, this will be considered dead without a final vote.

Although the opposition was allowed to speak at the last meeting, the public will not be allowed to speak at this one. Sorry to all those that have asked me when your chance to speak will be. Hopefully this will move forward and there will be a public comment session.

Thursday, February 4, 2010

More coverage

Opinion piece in the Garner Clayton Record
http://www.garnerclayton.com/opinion/story/2584.html

Good synopsis in a Sustainable Living Blog based out of Pittsboro, NC
http://sustainablegrub.wordpress.com/2010/01/11/urban-chicks-ii/