Friends of Hens

Raleigh's Tour d'Coop

2010-04-26T09:11:00.006-04:00

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

2010-04-26T09:07:00.002-04:00

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).

White Deer Park "Get Your Green On"

2010-04-19T23:37:00.002-04:00

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.

Chick Days

2010-03-24T15:40:00.003-04:00

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.

Hens in Garner - resolution is no resolution

2010-03-04T13:14:00.002-05:00

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.

Will we even get a vote?

2010-02-16T14:18:00.005-05:00

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.

More coverage

2010-02-04T17:01:00.002-05:00

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/

Infromational Packet

2010-02-04T12:44:00.003-05:00

Link to Informational Packet given to the Mayor and Town Council Members. Note - due to size, it is split into two sections.

Section I - Why We Want Chickens
https://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0Accn6G_ikOGuZGRkdnNrdHdfMTU0ZG1idDZmZHQ&hl=en

Section II - Myths and Issues Dispelled, Supporting Documentation
https://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0Accn6G_ikOGuZGRkdnNrdHdfMTM3ZzZ6NGZ0Z24&hl=en

Want to know why we want hens and what the concerns are?

2010-02-03T20:55:00.004-05:00

Here is the initial presentation to Garner Town Council and the research document.

The Latest! But not the Greatest.

2010-01-17T20:17:00.004-05:00

General Restrictions

- Hens allowed in residential areas (HOA restrictive covenants would not be affected)
- No roosters (males)
- Hens are to be pets and not used for commercial activity; no selling chickens or eggs would be allowed.
- All coops and runs must be located in the rear yard and not be located in the side, front, or corner side yards.
- Up to 10 hens are allowed per lot, regardless of the size of the lot and the number of dwelling units on that lot.
- A coop is required to shelter the hens. An outdoor run is optional.
- The floor area of the coop shall be at least 4 square feet per chicken when an outdoor run is provided. If no outdoor run is provided, and the chickens are enclosed all the time, at least 10 square feet of floor area per chicken is required.
- If provided, the run must be at least 10 square feet of floor area per chicken.

Coops and Runs with no screening (attachment C)

- The setback for all coops and runs is 15 feet from any rear lot line. The setback from any side or corner-side lot line is the same as that of the dwelling unit on that lot.
- A total of 144 square feet of footprint area is allowed for the coop and run.
- Hen coops and shelters, including any surrounding cages and runs are limited to 6 feet tall from the ground to the top of the structure including supporting blocks, poles, or legs.

Coops and Runs with screening (attachement D)

This applies to yards that are enclosed with a solid 6-foot fence
- No setback is required as long as all structures and enclosures are located in the rear yard, and the top of any structure, run, or coop does not exceed 6 feet.
- For every foot a structure, coop, pen, or run exceeds 6 feet, the setback is 2 feet. Up to 10 feet in height is the maximum.
- A total of 400 square feet of footprint area is allowed for the coop and run.

Maintenance

- All runs, coops, and pens must be kept clean on a regular basis so as not to create any public health hazard or nuisance issue such as offensive odors to adjoining properties.

Permits & Enforcement

- A one-time Zoning Compliance Permit from the Planning Department would be required ($25). If a fence permit (for screening) is applied for at the same time, there would be one fee.

Town of Garner Documents

2010-01-17T19:21:00.006-05:00

These are public record and available for you to look at here. They are original with no changes.

1/6/10 Memo from Town Attorney regarding restrictive covenants and his advice against 1) Requiring HOA permission for chicken permit, and 2) Neighbor consent prior to chicken permit.
http://docs.google.com/View?id=dddvsktw_107cmc96cht

1/5/10 Memo from Planning Dept with suggested standards, if the town council decides to go forward with changes to the existing ordinance.
http://docs.google.com/View?id=dddvsktw_109hpck2xf9

Letter from Animal Sanctuary against keeping chickens, brought to the committee meeting by Council member Kathy Behringer.
https://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B8cn6G_ikOGuYWY5ZmNmZjItZDJkZi00NTFjLTlkYmItMmY0NWQ1NTEwMWJj&hl=en

11/4/09 Memo from Planning Dept with research and recommendations.
http://docs.google.com/View?id=dddvsktw_1103r8gr8fj

N&O article

2010-01-11T19:37:00.003-05:00

The N&O reprinted the article from the Garner Clayton Record in today's paper on page 3B. http://www.newsobserver.com/news/counties/wake_county/story/278134.html#

Garner Clayton Record article

2010-01-06T14:42:00.002-05:00

This article came out today. I'd prefer my garden and compost wasn't on the front page, but at least the hens are pretty.

http://www.garnerclayton.com/home/story/2376.html

Friends of Hens t-shirts

2010-01-06T09:45:00.004-05:00

Pre-order a Friends of Hens t-shirt to wear around town and to the Town of Garner Public Comment Session. (Pictured here on girl eating chocolate cake batter - chocolate cake not included with tshirt order)

-- Mens, Womens, Childrens, and Toddler sizes in LOTS of colors
-- Locally printed here in Garner
-- $10 each or 2 for $15 or 3 for $21
-- Canvas shopping bags also available

Available colors here: http://docs.google.com/View?id=dddvsktw_44dgqnjctg
email me your order and contact information: kristenwarren@gmail.com

Town of Garner went on a Coop Tour

2009-12-26T18:00:00.004-05:00

One Council member, members of the planning department and staff, and a member of the Greenbrier HOA board went on an informal coop tour in downtown Raleigh on Monday, December 14. The purpose of the tour was to investigate setbacks and see some examples of coops. [picture shows a coop 2-3 blocks from the Governor's Mansion at a historic home in Raleigh]

Items for the new ordinance!

2009-12-26T17:32:00.003-05:00

Ok here's your sneak peek at the items being considered for the new Garner chicken ordinance:

These are very likely:
- up to 10 hens (no roosters)
- only allowed in side and back yards
- personal use only - non-commercial

Possible additions:
- special permit similar to dog permit which is a one-time $25 permit
- coops to follow setback restrictions (10 ft side and 5ft rear), and limited to 8-10 ft tall
- not allowed in multi-family and attached unit dwellings [This item would not be necessary if the setbacks were in place]

Additions requested by the Greenbrier HOA and not supported by Friends of Hens:
- 100% screening from neighbors with solid wood fencing around hens and/or shrubs
- Special permit only given after Garner citizen provided written permission from their property's HOA Organization

Progress!

2009-11-21T22:15:00.002-05:00

The two members of the Garner Law and Finance committee will draft a new ordinance December 3rd. Then there will be a public comment period and an official vote. We hope to have this passed in time to get baby chicks in the spring!

Call me through Google Voice

2009-11-21T22:11:00.001-05:00

2009-09-20T23:12:00.002-04:00

We had a good turn out for the class, including local tv news and the Garner Citizen. If you'd like to see some of the slides, they are available now.

Date scheduled with Town Council!

2009-09-01T21:17:00.002-04:00

Calling all Friends of Hens in and near Garner! I will be presenting our case to the Garner Mayor and Town Council on Tuesday September 29, 2009 at 6PM. This is not a meeting, but a work session, so that will allow us enough time to go through the facts and answer questions. We need everyone to come and show their support!

Beginner Chicken Keeping class

2009-08-19T13:40:00.004-04:00

We will have a beginner chicken keeping class (with live chickens!) at the Garner Library (which is officially the Wake County Southeast Regional Library) on Wednesday September 16, 2009 at 7:00. Registration with the library is required.

Garner Library
908 7th Ave
Garner NC

(919) 662-2250

Mailing List

2009-08-05T12:26:00.002-04:00

Please email friendsofhens@gmail.com to join our mailing list. I can give you updates regarding the effort to legalize chickens (hens!) in Garner, NC. We need your support!

Town Council

2009-06-30T10:54:00.003-04:00

I will be presenting to a future town council meeting when they review this subject. Look for a date in September.

Petition is up! Please sign!

2009-05-12T20:44:00.000-04:00

The Garner Chickens petition is online now. Hard copies will be distributed as well. Please sign and encourage your friends and neighbors to as well.

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/garnerchicks/

FAQs about keeping pet hens in the town

2009-05-12T20:08:00.000-04:00

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Don't you need a rooster for eggs?
A: No, you don't. Hens lay eggs without a rooster. The eggs you buy at the store are unfertilized and no rooster is around those hens. You only need a rooster to hatch chicks. Roosters will NOT BE ALLOWED in Garner.

Q: Are chickens loud?
A: Roosters are loud, and they will not be permitted. Hens are, on average, far quieter than most dogs, parrots, or macaws. They generally make a soft chuckle or cluck. Loud clucking rated at about 70 decibels, while the average conversation would be 60 decibels. Occasionally, when they are showing off an egg they've just laid, their clucking is slightly louder. Normal noises are not audible past 25', the loudest noises at about 50'.

Q: What about smell?
A: Unlike the farm chickens many of us are familiar with, whose coops generally aren't cleaned more than once or twice a year, suburban pet chickens are treated like any other pet. The chicken coop is cleaned several times per week, or even daily. The amount of chicken manure produced by six hens is roughly equivalent to the dog droppings produced by a medium-large dog. And, unlike dog or cat poop (health hazards), chicken manure can be easily composted into fabulous garden fertilizer!

Q: Aren't chicken coops an eyesore?
A: Suburban chicken owners, unlike rural folks with acreage, have their chicken's enclosures in their backyard living space. Thus, they tend to be well-built, well-maintained, pretty structures. Check out a local triangle business, www.catawbacoops.com for an example.

Q: What about predators or pests?
A: Since the ordinance stipulates that the hens must be in a completely enclosed, predator-proof enclosure, and locked in a henhouse at night, the hens will not attract predators any more than a rabbit in a backyard hutch.

Q: Will chickens be running wild in neighborhoods?
A: No. The drafted amendment includes the stipulation that the hens must be kept in a completely enclosed pen at all times unless they are in a securely fenced yard with supervision.

Q: What about diseases like Avian Flu?
A: Despite some sensational news stories that may lead us to believe otherwise, Avian Flu of the type that is contagious to humans has not been found in North America. Any type of avian influenza is spread by contact with the contaminated feces of other birds, primarily migratory waterfowl. Unlike rural farm birds, which "free range" and might, for example, drink from a pond shared with Canada Geese, "backyard hens" in Garner will be kept in an enclosed pen with no contact with the migratory birds. In addition, should avian flu ever reach here, it would more likely spread in situations where birds are maintained in unsanitary conditions, such as the large commercial "factory farms" where chickens are crammed together in filthy cages.... not where chickens are kept as pets in well-maintained coops cleaned as regularly as any suburban pet.

Salmonella is the other primary concern associated with chicken and eggs. Again, this is an issue of cleanliness and chickens kept as pets are unlikely to cause any problems. In fact, Consumer Reports magazine reports that 71% of all supermarket chicken and eggs are contaminated with salmonella: eating your own backyard eggs, where you have control over the sanitation, significantly reduces your chance of exposure. In terms of exposure from pets, chickens are no more likely to carry it than parakeets, and pet reptiles are far more likely culprits. Good hand-washing practices are always important after handling animals.

Chickens, unlike cats and dogs, which are prime vectors for rabies and tick-borne diseases, actually keep your yard healthier by eating ticks and other insects.

Q: How many chickens are we talking about here?
A: The ordinance will limit the number to 20 or less, although most people will only choose to have 4-6, which will supply a family of four with enough eggs for personal use, and to sometimes share with neighbors. Hens will produce eggs from age 6 months to about 6 years depending on their variety. They will live for another 2-4 years after that, so a family would usually desire to add to their flock at that time to allow for continued egg production.

Q: What's this about an "Urban Chicken" movement?
A: In the last 5 or so years, more communities have been adjusting their zoning laws to allow chickens to be kept as pets in urban and suburban areas. As part of the growing awareness in this country of living “green" more people are interested in growing at least some of their own food in kitchen gardens, and in raising a few hens for eggs. The "movement" has spread across the country as people realize that owning a few hens, kept as suburban pets in pretty garden coops, is a good idea. Some people want organic eggs and garden compost, others are concerned about food security, others want to "eat local" to save resources, and others wish to enjoy the lovely, fun pets hens can be.

Q: Aren't chickens mean?
A: Just like any animal, it's all in the upbringing. If you took a bunch of parrots, cockatiels, kittens or puppies and stuck them in a pen with minimal human contact beyond food and water, they probably wouldn't be very good pets. Just like these animals, chickens that are hand-raised from chicks can be wonderful pets. They come when they are called, enjoy being held and are beautiful and even affectionate pets. Check out the links for websites such as "My Pet Chicken" and "City Chickens" for more information.