Monmouth-Independence Chicken Revolution works to legalize backyard hens

www.michickenrevolution.com
www.agwestsupply.com
www.oldmillfeed.com

Episode 78 - Living Culture

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Spring Gardening Guide for the Willamette Valley

Spring is just around the corner, which means it's time to start planning your garden!

This year's gardening guide features several businesses that offer garden-related services in the Willamette Valley. Many of these businesses also have extensive knowledge about raising chickens, beekeeping, rainwater harvesting, etc. Their advice can be very helpful as you take your garden to the next level.

Monmouth & Independence Chicken Revolution to host Gretchen Anderson at Independence library

In the spring of 2011, Domenica Protheroe, Malinda Bermudez and Sue Barker formed the Monmouth & Independence Chicken Revolution to legalize backyard chicken-keeping in Monmouth and Independence. According to Protheroe, chickens were legal in Monmouth until 2008.

Salem City Council to revisit chicken ordinance

Based on a positive report from Salem's Code Compliance Office, Barbara Palermo and her group, Chickens In The Yard, hope to get Salem's chicken ordinance modified.

Chickens In The Yard successfully pushed for legalization in late 2010. Since then, they've worked on behalf of urban chickens and pro-chicken residents, organizing a backyard coop tour and providing educational opportunities for chicken owners in the area.

At the next Salem City Council Meeting on January 23rd, Councilor Chuck Bennett will make a motion to modify the chicken ordinance. The proposed modifications aim to: reduce the cost of the chicken license; reduce the number of inspections; increase the number of hens allowed; and allow chickens at churches, schools, and community gardens; among other changes.

Supporters are encouraged to attend this meeting.

Salem City Council
555 Liberty St. SE, Room 240
Monday, January 23rd 6:30pm

Chickens In The Yard proposes changes to Salem's ordinance

by Nate Rafn

Chickens In The Yard (CITY) announced in their newsletter today that they are proposing changes to Salem's existing chicken ordinance.

According to a report from the Community Development Department, fifty applications were received by the City of Salem for chicken coop licensing since the ordinance went into effect on October 27th, 2010. Re-inspection issues have been minimal and code violation cases were less than what Compliance Services had responded to prior to the adoption of the chicken ordinance. All ten of the violation cases were easily resolved.

Because the chicken ordinance has not created a code enforcement problem or financial burden for Salem, CITY is asking for six changes to the ordinance. They want to eliminate inspections, reduce the license fee, and increase the number of hens allowed, among other changes.

The proposal is currently being reviewed, and there may be another city council meeting to hash things out. Visit www.salemchickens.com to stay up to date on this issue.

Chickens finally legal in Keizer

by Nate Rafn

We received word today that chickens are now legal in Keizer, Oregon.

"The day is finally here," said Scott Mack, who requested that the city allow chickens. "After two and a half years, we can legally have chickens in Keizer."

A 15-year Keizer resident, Scott Mack embarked on the campaign in February 2009.

A chicken permit application is available on the City of Keizer website, www.keizer.org.

Final public hearing for urban chickens at Keizer City Hall

by Nate Rafn

The final public hearing regarding the keeping of chickens in Keizer will be on Monday evening, June 20th at the Keizer City Hall. This hearing represents the culmination of over two years of work to legalize backyard chickens in Keizer. Those who would like to support this cause are encouraged to attend the meeting.

Keizer City Hall - Public Hearing
Monday, June 20th, 7pm
930 Chemawa Road NE Keizer, OR
503-390-3700

Related Links

Urban chicken movement takes shape in Salem

www.livingcultureonline.blogspot.com

Rating the nation's top organic egg producers

www.livingcultureonline.blogspot.com

Free-range chickens in Oregon

www.livingcultureonline.blogspot.com

Capital City Coop & Garden Tour scheduled for June 19th

This event is Salem's first coop tour. Now that chickens are good-and-legal within Salem city limits, Friends of Salem Saturday Market and Chickens In The Yard are organizing the tour to expose area residents to some of Salem's most attractive chicken coops and gardens.

Keizer may follow Salem in legalizing chickens

by Nate Rafn

Supporters of chickens in Keizer will have an opportunity to give public testimony at Keizer's Planning Commission meeting on May 11th.

A handful of residents have lobbied for legalization of backyard chickens for just over two years. 15-year Keizer resident, Scott Mack, started the process in February 2009.

Old Mill Feed & Garden hosts Chick Day

The Hendersen family has organized this annual chicken-keeping event at their store in Dallas for several years. They've incorporated educational tools, resources, and helpful products to help those interested in raising chickens at home.

Here's a note about Chick Day from co-owner of Old Mill Feed & Garden, Jon Hendersen:

"Chick Day at Old Mill Feed & Garden is “The Poultry Event of the Year.” This year, join us in welcoming Salem residents to the flock of chicken owners.

We begin taking reservations for chicks in January. A list of choices is posted at our store and on our website, oldmillfeed.com. By Chick Day, 75% or more of our available chicks have been reserved. On Chick Day, customers hand-select their chicks with the help of Chick Day volunteers. Once they have chosen their new family members, the proud parents are given a brief “Baby Chick Care” handout and can speak one-on-one with experienced chick owners who guide them through the chick-raising process. Feeders, waterers, brood lamps, bedding, feed, supplies, and coops are all available in the store.

Urban chicken movement takes shape in Salem

Resources for Raising Chickens

Chickens In The Yard
Services: classes, advice, resources, organizing chicken-related events in Salem

Old Mill Feed & Garden
503-831-1222
1313 Main St, Dallas OR 97338
Products and Services: chicken coops, feed, chicks, knowledgable staff

The Chick Inn
503-917-9968
14580 Airlie Rd. Monmouth, OR
Products and Services: rare breeds of chickens, feed, chicken coops and tractors, good advice

Urban Farm Store
503-234-7733
2100 SE Belmont St, Portland OR
Products and Services: classes, chicks, feed, coops

Backyard chickens in Salt Lake City, Utah.

My sister, Elaina, called me on the phone yesterday to announce the arrival of three chickens at her Salt Lake City home. She and her husband, Matt, have talked about raising chickens for a while now. They just moved to the chicken-friendly capital city of Utah, and decided to give it a try.

 Elaina and Matt also have three children, Ethan, Aurora, and Emmeline, who are excited about the opportunity to learn about chickens and keep them as pets.

I asked Elaina to send me some photographs of the chickens via email. Here is her amusing response as she describes this new dynamic, adding livestock to the family:

"I'll take more photos once the coop is in.  The white Brahma in the corner, behind the chain link, stays there much of the time. Matt's concerned that she is lethargic. She is Ethan's chicken. The Sussex (black/brown) is my favorite, though Aurora has claimed her. The all white Delaware is Emmy's. Now, I am a control freak. I don't like the names the children have chosen. We'll have to see what becomes of this. Emmy's is Vanilla; Aurora's is Cookies and Cream and Ethan hasn't named his. I don't like ice cream flavors for names!"

Ice-cream-flavored chickens in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Salem to allow chickens starting January 1st, 2011.

The chicken ordinance passed a final vote last night at Salem City Hall, making hens legal starting January 1st of next year. A license and inspection will be required of all those who want to keep chickens in their backyards.

The Statesman Journal printed an article summarizing last night's counsel meeting.

My Thoughts

This is great news. Incorporating chickens into our home gardens will help launch Salem into an urban agricultural renaissance. Granted, it won't happen overnight. It will take lots of hard work and education. Thankfully, Chickens In The Yard is planning to organize classes and events to help teach those who are interested in raising chickens.

What do Living Culture viewers think about chickens in Salem?

The poll results are in.

Last week we asked viewers what they thought about Salem's chicken ordinance. The polls were open for 5 days, and 100 votes were cast. Here are the results.




Q: Should Salem allow chickens?
yes 89%
no 5%
voters should decide 5%

Q: Do you plan to keep chickens?
maybe 31%
yes 28%
no 28%
already do 14%

Q: Where do you live?
Salem/Mid-Valley 83%
Portland Metro 10%
Other 7%

I was a little surprised by the fact that 89% of respondents believe chickens should be legal, yet 28% don't plan to raise chickens, and 31% are undecided.

A victory for Chickens In The Yard.

Fresh eggs, coming soon to a neighborhood near you!

by Nate Rafn
September 21st, 2010

Salem is so close to having chickens, I can almost taste it!

Last night Salem City Council held a public hearing and a vote on Ordinance Bill 19-10, the document that governs the keeping of chickens within Salem city limits. Fourteen Salemites testified in favor of the ordinance, while two spoke in opposition. The crowd at City Hall was substantial, with Chickens In The Yard (CITY) supporters filling most of the seats.

After spirited testimony, the councilors were given a chance to amend the language of the ordinance. The original reading states that anyone in violation of the new ordinance (keeping a rooster, failing to obtain license, etc.) would be charged with a misdemeanor! This outrageous component of the ordinance was swiftly replaced with a lesser violation by City Council. Minor changes were also made to the section about licensing and inspection fees. Councilor Cannon proposed a practical change that would allow chickens to leave the confines of their coop, if kept under the watchful eye of the owner.

Barbara Palermo, of CITY, speaks to City Council.

Lisa Clarke-Burnell, of Neighborhood Harvest, speaks in support of chickens.

With amendments in place, the counsel voted.

Yes Votes

Bennet, Ward 1
Tesler, Ward 2
Nanke, Ward 3
Sullivan, Ward 4
Dickey, Ward 5
Clem, Ward 8
Taylor, Mayor

No Votes

Rogers, Ward 6
Cannon, Ward 7

Councilors Rogers (left) and Cannon (right) listen to testimony.

I was surprised by two things. First, Councilor Dan Clem has been one of the most stubborn opponents of this bill. He claims that his constituents in West Salem are overwhelmingly against chickens. But according to Barbara Palermo of CITY, public record shows that Clem has received far more emails in favor of chickens. Clem shocked many people last night when he changed his mind at the last moment. He said, after hearing the testimony that evening, that he was willing to put trust in the residents of Salem and give this bill a chance.

Another odd moment was when Councilor Cannon gave his reasons for voting no. He said that he believes in protecting property rights, and doesn't care whether Salem allows chickens or not. But he voted no because, according to Cannon, the bill was too restrictive and too complicated. I'm not sure what his rational was for this decision. It may be some deep-seated issue of principal. But if we have no ordinance at all, that is far more restrictive than passing an ordinance that has a few rules attached. It didn't make sense to me.

Council Chambers at Salem City Hall.

What Happens Now

As I understand it, the amendments to the ordinance will be added by city staff, and a final reading will occur sometime next month. Council will vote on the final bill at that time.

For more information about Chickens In The Yard, visit their website at www.salemchickens.com.

Upcoming Salem City Counsel meeting to hold vote on chickens.

White Leghorn hen.

by Nate Rafn
September 18th, 2010

This Monday, September 20th at 7:30 PM, Salem City Counsel will vote on a chicken ordinance.

Chickens In The Yard (CITY), Salem's urban chicken advocacy group, has been battling with City Counsel since early 2009. The process has been slow, and a handful of counselors have been unwilling to work with CITY on getting an ordinance passed.

However, Barbara Palermo, top organizer with CITY is confident she has enough votes to move forward.

My Thoughts

Allowing residents in urban areas to keep chickens is essential. As we collectively move towards a more sustainable future, gardening and small scale animal husbandry will play a big part in shaping our community. I believe that incorporating chickens into our gardens and edible landscapes will strengthen neighborhoods, deter crime, improve home values, reduce polution, cut food costs, and make our communities more self-sufficient.

I strongly encourage anyone who supports our right to keep a few backyard hens to join me at Salem City Hall on Monday night. This is our chance to show the City of Salem that after nearly two years of debate, our enthusiasm for this ordinance has not been diminished.

Salem City Hall

Council Chambers Room 240

555 Liberty St NE Salem

Monday, September 20th, 7:30 PM