City Council meeting 3/26/12 VICTORY!

http://billingsgazette.com/news/local/government-and-politics/backyard-chicken-farmers-win-round-at-city-council/article_75700ef3-34ec-5985-8688-8d419bdbe292.html

SWEET!! First, some of our progressive, personal property rights-oriented, live and let live, “give a chicken a chance, man” city council persons voted to DELAY the text amendment proposed by the Zoning Commission (which is nothing short of an enforcement mechanism for the city’s stand that backyard hens are against code, no matter how they try to spin it)… and then city staff were redirected to study Bozeman and Missoula’s ordinances and come back with an ordinance they believe may work in Billings under a one year trial.

Of course we had our nay-sayers, especially Councilman Astle who apparently despises us, each and every one, for some unfathomable reason that results in his wishing all chickens were dead chickens. But overall, it was a victory!! Keep the letters coming in to city council at: council@ci.billings.mt.us and HanelT@ci.billings.mt.us as we need to keep supporting this issue to get it through!!

Chick TV!

Chick TV this week! http://www.comm7tv.com/
March 27 6PM
March 28 noon
March 29 4PM
March 30 6:30PM

Carol Braaten and TJ Wierenga join Community 7 Executive Director Lynne Turner Fitzgerald in a 30 minute program about urban hens in Billings.

Another Letter to the Council

March 23, 2012

To the city council,

It has come to my attention that Billings has a problem with citizens keeping chickens in their backyards. I believe that keeping chickens is a right that should granted to Billings citizens. In the USA over 150 major cities have allowed chickens without any problems.  The same is true in 8 of the major Montana cities. So what is the problem?

One complaint against chickens is that they create a big smelly mess. On the contrary, people are not going to have 20 chickens in their backyard. At a maximum, they will have six chickens. Chicken excrement is not nearly as foul as dog and cat excrement. As a matter of fact, chicken poop can be quite beneficial to citizens’ gardens. Chicken poop is compostable, unlike dog and cat poop.

Additionally, another complaint might be that egg sales in our city might decrease if citizens keep backyard hens. I think the citizens in Billings should be allowed to keep hens privately and provide a food source for their own families if they choose to do so in a responsible manner.

Another reason that some might not want chickens in town is due to misinformation regarding how much noise they make.  Chickens are not noisy at all, especially since the proposed ordinance allows for no roosters and just 6 hens.  Hens are very quiet almost all the time. When they do squawk, the sound is not nearly as loud as a dog barking. Should we ban dogs from the city, too?

Some people say it’s too dangerous to keep chickens because their heat lamp might catch on fire and burn their shed to the ground. Actually, chickens don’t need a heat lamp. They are birds. They have gotten along just fine for centuries without heat lamps. They are covered with feathers. When it’s cold, they poof up their feathers and keep themselves warm.

When the government doesn’t heed the wishes of its people and makes decisions based on the personal opinions of a few councilmen, everyone loses. The majority of people in Billings want to have chickens or want their neighbors to be allowed keep chickens as long they are kept according to the rules set out by the proposed hen ordinance. I would encourage you to consider placing the proposed hen ordinance before the city council so that our elected officials can vote the will of the people which is the way our democracy is supposed to work.

Sincerely,

Evan Ulrichs, age 14

On Heating Coops

While the actual number of structure fires that may have something to do with the use of a heat lamp or space heater in a chicken coop are very few, those devices do occasionally cause financial loss and sadly, animal deaths every year nationwide.

There are repeated instances of owners keeping dog kennels, rabbitries, chickens, or young livestock with supplemental heat. The problem with this is that owners, while doing this with the absolute of best intentions, are putting an unattended, heat-producing electrical device in the vicinity of dry bedding. Burning down a barn, kennel, or coop is not a common event, especially when compared to cigarette-caused grass fires, faulty electrical wiring in older homes, or here in Billings possibly a naked man with petrochemicals in a neighbor’s garage (http://billingsgazette.com/news/local/man-taken-to-hospital-after-incident-in-south-side-garage/article_6f248fcc-9849-56c6-9722-b7b310428fb3.html)… but it can happen. 

Magic City Hens (http://MagicCityHens.wordpress.com), the Billings non-profit group who seek to educate and support hen owners in the area, recommend against supplemental heat for outdoor animals. The group’s “Chickens 101″ class addresses this issue, and the primary instructor is in a former firefighter with a strong background in animal husbandry. Outdoor pets should be protected against drafts, but experts advise against unattended heat sources.

Whether it is dogs, rabbits, chickens, or other outdoor pets, please seriously consider the potential damage that a fire could do, compared to an uncomfortably cool night. Domestic animals rarely freeze to death, but fire can certainly have that effect. Education is critical!

Mayor Scoffs At Citizen Requests

Mark your calendars! We need to PACK THE PLACE in urban hen supporters: March 26, 2012 at 6:30PM, the City Council will be given the opportunity to vote on an initiative from the Zoning Commission to recommend that the words “and fowl” be added to ordinance subsection 27-607, currently prohibiting livestock within city limits. The Mayor has remarked in emails to the Council that “the 26th can’t get here fast enough.” WE CRY FOWL!!

While we can’t find a single city in the USA, Canada, or the UK who allows urban hens and wishes they didn’t (and it’s a vast, vast majority who DO allow them), this issue is bigger than the right of law-abiding citizens to have a micro-flock of egg producers in an appropriate coop in their own backyard. This issue addresses our right for fair and diligent representation by our elected officials. It addresses our right to be treated as a responsible pet owner instead of disregarded as a potential animal abuser. It addresses our right to use our own property in a reasonable and conscientious fashion of our own choosing. It addresses our rights of urban food production.

Whether you wish to speak to the Council or not, we need your presence on March 26 in City Council chambers downtown. Don’t sit back and let us lose our rights… it will cost you nothing but an hour or two of your time to do the RIGHT thing for Billings residents!! Please come… and please share this information with anyone you know who likewise supports these rights! (“>

 

Bozeman Hen Laws

http://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/montana/backyard-chicken-law-running-smoothly-in-bozeman/article_612f6060-4d2e-5a26-a480-97dc84790018.html?mode=story

Billings Gazette picked up the article regarding Bozeman’s urban hen laws off the Associated Press. Good stuff! Way to go, Gazette staff… fair and impartial reporting! (“>

Bozeman Trouble With Urban Hens

http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/news/city/article_3b68560a-69a5-11e1-9fe5-001871e3ce6c.html

“Two years ago, Bozeman began allowing residents to raise chickens in their backyards. Since then, Kathy Middleton, the city’s animal control officer, said…”

Read the rest of the article at the link above.

Major US Cities (and nearby states) Allowing Urban Hens

Major US Cities Allowing Urban Hens as of March, 2012
City	State
Birmingham	Alabama	Honolulu	Hawaii	San Antonio	Texas
Huntsville	Alabama	Boise	Idaho	Waco	Texas
Mobile	Alabama	Chicago	Illinois	Wichita Falls	Texas
Montgomery	Alabama	Fort Wayne	Indiana	Salt Lake City	Utah
Anchorage	Alaska	Indianapolis	Indiana	West Valley City	Utah
Chandler	Arizona	Wichita	Kansas	Chesapeake	Virginia
Gilbert	Arizona	Lexington	Kentucky	Virginia Beach	Virginia
Glendale	Arizona	Louisville	Kentucky	Seattle	Washington
Mesa	Arizona	Baton Rouge	Louisiana	Spokane	Washington
Peoria	Arizona	New Orleans	Louisiana	Tacoma	Washington
Phoenix	Arizona	Baltimore	Maryland	Vancouver	Washington
Scottsdale	Arizona	Boston	Massachusetts	Madison	Wisconsin
Tempe	Arizona	Minneapolis	Minnesota	Milwaukee	Wisconsin
Tucson	Arizona	Saint Paul	Minnesota
Little Rock	Arkansas	Kansas City	Missouri	Missoula	Montana
Anaheim	California	Saint Louis	Missouri	Bozeman	Montana
Bakersfield	California	Lincoln	Nebraska	Butte	Montana
Chula Vista	California	Omaha	Nebraska	Helena	Montana
Elk Grove	California	Henderson	Nevada	Kalispell	Montana
Fremont	California	Las Vegas	Nevada	Havre	Montana
Fresno	California	North Las Vegas	Nevada	Anaconda	Montana
Fullerton	California	Reno	Nevada	Whitefish	Montana
Garden Grove	California	Jersey City	New Jersey	Miles City	Montana
Huntington Beach	California	Albuquerque	New Mexico	Buffalo	Wyoming
Irvine	California	Buffalo	New York	Cody	Wyoming
Lancaster	California	New York	New York	Rawlins	Wyoming
Long Beach	California	Rochester	New York	Laramie	Wyoming
Los Angeles	California	Syracuse	New York	Cheyenne	Wyoming
Modesto	California	Charlotte	North Carolina	Casper	Wyoming
Oakland	California	Durham	North Carolina	Idaho Falls	Idaho
Orange	California	Greensboro	North Carolina	Lewiston	Idaho
Pasadena	California	Raleigh	North Carolina	Meridian	Idaho
Rancho Cucamonga	California	Winston-Salem	North Carolina	Hayden	Idaho
Riverside	California	Cincinnati	Ohio	Preston	Idaho
Sacramento	California	Cleveland	Ohio	Mountain Home	Idaho
San Diego	California	Columbus	Ohio	Couer d’Alene	Idaho
San Francisco	California	Toledo	Ohio	McCall	Idaho
San Jose	California	Oklahoma City	Oklahoma	Garden City	Idaho
Santa Ana	California	Tulsa	Oklahoma	Rapid City	South Dakota
Santa Clarita	California	Eugene	Oregon	Deadwood	South Dakota
Santa Rosa	California	Portland	Oregon	Aberdeen	South Dakota
Stockton	California	Salem	Oregon	Vermillion	South Dakota
Sunnyvale	California	Philadelphia	Pennsylvania	Fargo	North Dakota
Colorado Springs	Colorado	Pittsburgh	Pennsylvania	New Rockford	North Dakota
Denver	Colorado	Sioux Falls	South Dakota	Colorado Springs	Colorado
Fort Collins	Colorado	Memphis	Tennessee	Lousville	Colorado
Bridgeport	Connecticut	Nashville	Tennessee	Loveland	Colorado
New Haven	Connecticut	Amarillo	Texas	Boulder	Colorado
Washington	DC	Arlington	Texas	Longmont	Colorado
Cape Coral	Florida	Austin	Texas	Newcastle	Colorado
Fort Lauderdale	Florida	Brownsville	Texas	Grand Junction	Colorado
Hialeah	Florida	Corpus Christi	Texas	Wheatridge	Colorado
Jacksonville	Florida	Dallas	Texas	Goldendale	Washington
Miami	Florida	El Paso	Texas	Shoreline	Washington
Orlando	Florida	Fort Worth	Texas	Marysville	Washington
Pembroke Pines	Florida	Garland	Texas	Lakewood	Washington
Saint Petersburg	Florida	Grand Prairie	Texas	Burlington	Washington
Tallahassee	Florida	Houston	Texas	Puyallup	Washington
Tampa	Florida	Irving	Texas	Everett	Washington
Atlanta	Georgia	Killeen	Texas	Lynnwood	Washington
Augusta	Georgia	Laredo	Texas	Longview	Washington
Columbus	Georgia	Lubbock	Texas	Bellingham	Washington
Savannah	Georgia	McAllen	Texas	Sammamish	Washington

Zoning Commission 3/6/12

A recap of tonight: The Zoning Commission was tasked by Nicole Cromwell of the Planning Department to vote Yes or No on an amendment to city code to “clarify ambiguity” as had been advised by the city’s legal department in 2010… that while they considered the code to be clear in prohibiting chickens (as fowl), an argument COULD be made that they are not technically against code in city limits.

One person spoke in support of the amendment, expressing his desire that the Zoning Commission also add wording to prohibit rabbits and other animals, and he had written up a suggested code. The Zoning Commission explained that they were not considering that at this time.

I believe 10 people spoke in opposition to the amendment, including members of the Billings Backyard Hen Initiative. Our concern is that this code amendment will be used as an enforcement mechanism, a question also posed by new Zoning Commission member Bill Ryan. According to Ms Cromwell, the city hasn’t received any complaints of urban hens within city limits “for the past six months or so… other than self-reports.” She stated that Code Enforcement was definitely responding to complaints and enforcing the code, but that they do not “go looking for infractions”… their response is strictly complaint based.

What we do know is that none of the self-reported hen owners have received a citation, to our knowledge. We’ll see what happens from now on!

We presented them with a current list of “Major US Cities Allowing Urban Hens (as of March, 2012)”, over 150 cities (94 of the 100 largest! Up from 65% in 2008)– although some of the list included cities in Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, South Dakota, North Dakota, Colorado and Washington that may not be considered by the rest of the country to be “major cities”, but nonetheless seemed appropriate comparisons for Billings.

Chairman Leonard Dailey repeated several times that the Zoning Commission was tasked with the decision of adding the words “and fowl” to the existing code, not discussing or debating the merits of urban hens. Speaker Nathan Blanding pointed out though that they had the opportunity of saying yes, no, or amending the text. Nicole Cromwell replied that the Zoning Commission could not, in this context, add text encompassing more than the published point of the text amendment (ie a new code supporting urban hens).

The Zoning Commission passed their amendment with a unanimous vote, agreeing to add these words to the amendment, and will present this to the City Council on 3/26. This will be the first of two readings of the proposed amendment adding the words “and fowl” to existing city code to prohibit urban chickens. We will need to keep showing up in force to chip away at the city council members who are resistant to this issue… so we need you there! With power in sheer numbers and the passion of those of us who believe in this strongly beneficial issue, we WILL PREVAIL! (“>

Citizen Petition page – blank

Billings Backyard Hen Initiative

 We, the undersigned citizens of Billings, Montana, respectfully request our city leaders to act now to change city ordinances to allow responsible hen-keeping in the backyards of residential zoning districts under certain restrictions. Keeping hens would enable residents to provide nutritious, delicious, safe, and environmentally friendly eggs for their families, while at the same time teaching our children where food comes from, and what it is worth. 

 Dr. David Waltner-Toews, veterinarian, epidemiologist, and professor at the University of Guelph in Ontario, has written that he knows of “no evidence linking human illness with keeping small urban flocks.”  Further, he believes that “if we do not make room for these urban entrepreneurs, we risk losing a set of very important food-rearing skills that will enable us to better navigate the economic, climatic and environmental instability our society will face in the coming decades.”

 Nine of the ten largest cities in Montana already allow or are currently working on allowing urban chicken-keeping (Billings makes ten), and at least 94 of the 100 largest American cities are pro-hen, as well as many, many Canadian and European cities. Please let us join them.

 Name:  ______________________________________________________________________

Address: __________________________________________________zip________________

Phone:  ______________________________________________________________________

Email:_______________________________________________________________________

Date:___________________________ Signature:_________________________________

 

Name:  ______________________________________________________________________

Address: __________________________________________________zip________________

Phone:  ______________________________________________________________________

Email:_______________________________________________________________________

Date:___________________________ Signature:___________________________________

 

Name:  ______________________________________________________________________

Address: __________________________________________________zip________________

Phone:  ______________________________________________________________________

Email:_______________________________________________________________________

Date:___________________________ Signature:____________________________________

 

Name:  ______________________________________________________________________

Address: __________________________________________________zip________________

Phone:  ______________________________________________________________________

Email:_______________________________________________________________________

Date:___________________________ Signature:___________________________________

 

Name:  ______________________________________________________________________

Address: __________________________________________________zip________________

Phone:  ______________________________________________________________________

Email:_______________________________________________________________________

Date:___________________________ Signature:____________________________________

Zoning Commission Mtg 3/6/12

Tonight’s the Night! The Zoning Commission of the City of Billings, Montana will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, March 6, 2012, at 4:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, 2nd Floor City Hall, 210 N 27th Street to PROHIBIT BACKYARD POULTRY in Billings!

If at all possible, please come! Even if you don’t get off work until 5PM – we need as many pro-hen people there as possible to show the Zoning Commission that they are going against the residents of the city of Billings in this recommendation to the City Council (scheduled for 3/26/12). Tonight’s the night they “decide” whether or not to make the recommendation, although every indication shows that their minds are already made up… nothing like honest representation of the CITIZENS (as opposed to personal opinions of staff and commission members). PLEASE SHARE THIS INFORMATION!

 

Facebook Pages

Don’t forget to check out our Facebook page: Billings Backyard Hen Initiative at https://www.facebook.com/BBHI2012

and our sister site, the non-profit 501(c)3 Magic City Hens at

https://www.facebook.com/MagicCityHens

(“>

Hens In Local News

http://billingsgazette.com/news/local/residents-push-to-own-backyard-hens/article_3b66e6d8-f134-58cf-9b25-74b709945ae8.html?mode=story

Several members of the Billings Backyard Hen Initiative, which now numbers well into the hundreds including signed petitions, have gone on record in the past as stating that we did not want to be contentious, nor did we wish to fight with our city.

We do feel that we need to clarify something. Please don’t mistake a gentle, considerate approach and lack of a desire to bring the city a fight with weakness or an inability to fight back. It has been our solid belief that when given the actual FACTS of the issue of urban hens, that our elected officials would realize that their fears are unfounded and sincerely consider this issue. This group is not going to give up and go away. We believe in this issue and have seen it successful in too many other places… Billings citizens deserve to be allowed to produce their own food in the simple, easily managed form of gardens and urban hens. We’re not asking for cattle and pigs or a factory in our backyards. Be reasonable! (“>

 

 

And Another City…

Sorry if we’re wearing everyone out on all the cities who are allowing urban hens… as posted before, 94 of the 100 largest in the USA already do, and many, many smaller cities are updating their ordinances every month.

Here’s one example: http://www.annarbor.com/news/chelsea/ordinance-to-be-drafted-to-permit-backyard-chickens-in-chelsea/

Here’s a quote by Boston mayor Thomas Menino. “I set a goal recently for Bostonians to lose one million pounds this year. One way to accomplish this is to make sure all of our residents have access to fresh, locally grown food,” Menino said in a Feb. 2 news release. “It’s key that our city be rezoned to support Boston’s food revolution and the input of our community is crucial to help our residents now and in the future.”

See more on that at: http://bostinno.com/2012/02/27/boston-redevelopment-authority-hatching-plan-to-let-chickens-fly-in-the-city-jumpstart-urban-farming/

What a smart mayor! Putting his actions where his mouth is when it comes to truly pursuing sustainable, healthy, local food practices. Kudos!!

Zoning Commission Upcoming Vote

Looks like the Billings Zoning Commission volunteers are deciding to pick a fight. Recently posted on the city website:

The Zoning Commission of the City of Billings, Montana will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, March 6, 2012, at 4:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, 2nd Floor City Hall, 210 N 27th Street for the purpose of reviewing the following items:

(some others, then:)
Zone Change #885 – Text Amendment – Livestock and Fowl Section 27-607 – A zone change to the Unified Zoning Regulations to clarify that fowl (poultry) as defined by Section 27-201 is not an allowed use within the City of Billings. The City Zoning Commission initiated this amendment on February 7, 2012.

City personnel had acknowledged last year that “there is a problem with current city code” in the lack of verbage specifying “fowl/poultry” as specifically noted as not an allowed use within city limits. Unlike Ragu, it was NOT in there. Thus the viewpoint of Billings Backyard Hen Initiative that it is then, in fact, not against city code to have urban poultry.

All the “i-dotting and t-crossing” aside, the Zoning Commission is quietly trying to go about recommending that the City Council close this “loophole” and turn Billings hen owners into law-breakers… you know the old saying, “If chickens are outlawed, only outlaws will have chickens.” Doesn’t exactly sound like the collapse of western civilization to me, but then again I’m not on the Zoning Commission.

The Planning Department has posted:

The Zoning Commission and City Council will hear all persons wishing to speak relative to the proposed special review and zone changes. Testimony regarding the above mentioned items may also be submitted in writing to the Planning Division, 510 North Broadway, Parmly Library 4^th Floor,Billings,MT59101 or to the Mayor and City Council,P.O. Box 1178,Billings, MT 59103. Presumably, they are also taking email to the entire city council at: council@ci.billings.mt.us and the mayor at HanelT@ci.billings.mt.us. More detailed information on specific council members/the mayor’s email and telephone numbers can be found at http://ci.billings.mt.us/index.aspx?nid=159.

If you are interested in joining Billings Backyard Hen Initiative, please email HensInTheBackyard@hotmail.com. I’m sure the Zoning Commission intended for this to be a civil discussion between the pro-hen and the hen-hating factions, and did not intend to actually just sneak this one in under the radar. Despite appearances. So now is the time for all good citizens to come to the aid of sustainable, green-living, organic and best-practices right to use our own backyards as responsible and considerate hen owners. WE NEED YOU!!!!!!!!!! (“>

Rehoming Roosters, et al

http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/area-woman-has-found-new-homes-for-some-orphaned-chickens/article_552720fe-6085-11e1-b3c0-001871e3ce6c.html

Click on the link above to find an interesting story about a lady in Madison, WI who rehomes chickens, with some side information from the local animal control offices. Magic City Hens, a 501(c)3 non-profit formed for the support and education of urban chicken-keeping in the Billings area (http://MagicCityHens.wordpress.com) has a similar program in operation. In fact, since the Chicken Adoption program was implemented in July 2011 (just 8 months ago), we have already rehomed about 4 dozen chickens. Whether it’s a “straight run chick” who started crowing at about 3 months old, hens who needed a new home, or the rare abandoned fowl, Magic City Hens has volunteers armed with dog crates and know-how, who quickly and efficiently step in.

Nice to know that birds of a feather flock together! Urban hen ownership has proven itself, across the nation, to be handled responsibly. Power to the peeps! (“>

Chickens 101 with Magic City Hens

This coming Saturday 2/25/12 from 1:30-3:30PM at Good Earth Market downtown, enjoy and learn at CHICKENS 101!! 2 hours of information for only $15. Learn breed selection, care, feeding, seasonal issues, and lots more about these fun and productive birds! Older children are welcome with a parent. Contact TJ at MagicCityHens@hotmail.com for more information or to sign up!!

Irish Chicken

Reblogged from Magic City Hens:

Actually, in this context, "Irish Chicken" is not related to a non-corned-beef St Patrick's Day traditional meal... but it is related to poultry. Sort of.

JOIN US! Saturday, March 17, 2012 is the annual St Patrick's Day Parade in downtown Billings. Magic City Hens will be a walking unit in the parade, passing out treats and good cheer! We will have costumes with a minimal financial involvement :) and some fun, funky chicken music...

Read more… 47 more words

Got plans for St Paddy's Day? Join Magic City Hens downtown!

And MORE Regional Urban Hens

http://rapidcityjournal.com/article_7cfa042c-4dce-11e0-90de-001cc4c03286.html

Another great regional article about urban chickens! 

 

And another great city allowing urban hens – Creve Couer, MO

http://crevecoeur.patch.com/articles/council-approves-urban-chicken-ordinance

And Another City…

http://ballwin-ellisville.patch.com/articles/pet-chickens-permitted-in-ellisville

Another city makes a smart move! Ellisville, MO

State of Georgia Addressing Urban Food Sources

 

Way to Go, state of Georgia! House Bill 853 would allow families to raise their own food (including chickens, rabbits, goats and gardens) legally in urban areas. This is an impressive response to the pervasive problem of the lack of a HEALTHY food supply in theUSA. Not only do 94 of the 100 largest municipalities in our nation now advocate urban hens (as well as, of course, gardens), the states themselves are beginning to look at the issue from a wider perspective. Smart move!

 http://www.legis.ga.gov/Legislation/en-US/display/20112012/HB/853

First Reader Summary

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 1 of Title 2 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions relative to agriculture, so as to provide a short title; to preempt certain local ordinances relating to production of agricultural or farm products; to protect the right to grow food crops and raise small animals on private property so long as such crops and animals or the products thereof are used for human consumption by the occupants, gardeners, or raisers and their households and not for commercial purposes; to define a term; to provide for effect on certain local authority and causes of action; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

And Another City…

Ferndale, Michigan recently (1/9/12) voted to allow urban hens. Whoop!! And check out the comments… I guess everyone there has done their homework and are letting FACTS speak louder than FEAR. Excellent!

http://ferndale.patch.com/articles/ferndale-city-council-approves-backyard-chicken-ordinance

Another City for the 21st Century!

http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120118/NEWS0202/301180095/Backyard-chickens-approved-in-Nashville

And yet another major US city votes to allow urban hens. Remember, this means that at least 94 of the 100 largest cities in the US are pro-hen, and from everything we can find, experiencing no problems with this issue!

Great way to start 2012! (“>

Urban Hens 101 Class!

Magic City Hens is announcing their first 2012 class: Urban Hens 101! This 90 minute class will be held Saturday, January 28, 2012 from 10:30AM – noon at Good Earth Market downtown.

See http://MagicCityHens.wordpress.com for more information about this fun and educational event, or email MagicCityHens@hotmail.com. RSVP requested; class is filling up fast! Magic City Hens advises that later Spring classes are expected to max out quickly as Billings area residents prepare for Spring Chick events.

Longmont, CO Reports on Urban Hen Workload

http://www.dailycamera.com/news/ci_16539044

Longmont, CO is similar to Billings… a bit smaller, but also close to the Rockies (predator load) and full of outdoors-oriented folks who love their city. In February of 2009 they began a 2-year trial allowing urban hens, and as the deadline nears on the trial, some interesting facts came to light. Read the article for more info!

 

Percentage of Major US Cities Allowing Urban Hens

Attached below, please see a database as of 12/21/2011 indicating the 100 largest (by population) cities in the USA and whether they do or do not allow urban hens. For a quick summary, at least 93% of major US cities (according to population ranking) now allow urban hens! This is up from a reported 65% in a November, 2008 article in Newsweek magazine.

Rank	City	State	Allow?
1	New York	New York	YES
2	Los Angeles	California	YES
3	Chicago	Illinois	YES
4	Houston	Texas	YES
5	Philadelphia	Pennsylvania	YES
6	Phoenix	Arizona	YES
7	San Antonio	Texas	YES
8	San Diego	California	YES
9	Dallas	Texas	YES
10	San Jose	California	YES
11	Jacksonville[h]	Florida	YES
12	Indianapolis[g]	Indiana	YES
13	San Francisco	California	YES
14	Austin	Texas	YES
15	Columbus	Ohio	YES
16	Fort Worth	Texas	YES
17	Charlotte	North Carolina	YES
18	Detroit	Michigan	NO
19	El Paso	Texas	YES
20	Memphis	Tennessee	YES
21	Baltimore	Maryland	YES
22	Boston	Massachusetts	YES
23	Seattle	Washington	YES
24	Washington	District of Columbia	Not yet
25	Nashville [g]	Tennessee	YES
26	Denver	Colorado	YES
27	Louisville [g]	Kentucky	YES
28	Milwaukee	Wisconsin	YES
29	Portland	Oregon	YES
30	Las Vegas	Nevada	YES
31	Oklahoma City	Oklahoma	YES
32	Albuquerque	New Mexico	YES
33	Tucson	Arizona	YES
34	Fresno	California	YES
35	Sacramento	California	YES
36	Long Beach	California	YES
37	Kansas City	Missouri	YES
38	Mesa	Arizona	YES
39	Virginia Beach [e]	Virginia	YES
40	Atlanta	Georgia	YES
41	Colorado Springs	Colorado	YES
42	Omaha	Nebraska	YES
43	Raleigh	North Carolina	YES
44	Miami	Florida	YES
45	Cleveland	Ohio	YES
46	Tulsa	Oklahoma	YES
47	Oakland	California	YES
48	Minneapolis	Minnesota	YES
49	Wichita	Kansas	YES
50	Arlington	Texas	YES
51	Bakersfield	California	YES
52	New Orleans	Louisiana	YES
53	Honolulu [b]	Hawaii	YES
54	Anaheim	California	YES
55	Tampa	Florida	YES
56	Aurora	Colorado	NO
57	Santa Ana	California	YES
58	Saint Louis [d]	Missouri	YES
59	Pittsburgh	Pennsylvania	YES
60	Corpus Christi	Texas	YES
61	Riverside	California	YES
62	Cincinnati	Ohio	YES
63	Lexington	Kentucky	YES
64	Anchorage	Alaska	YES
65	Stockton	California	YES
66	Toledo	Ohio	YES
67	Saint Paul	Minnesota	YES
68	Newark	New Jersey	?
69	Greensboro	North Carolina	YES
70	Buffalo	New York	YES
71	Plano	Texas	NO
72	Lincoln	Nebraska	YES
73	Henderson	Nevada	YES
74	Fort Wayne	Indiana	YES
75	Jersey City	New Jersey	YES
76	Saint Petersburg	Florida	YES
77	Chula Vista	California	YES
78	Norfolk [e]	Virginia	NO
79	Orlando	Florida	YES
80	Chandler	Arizona	YES
81	Laredo	Texas	YES
82	Madison	Wisconsin	YES
83	Winston-Salem	North Carolina	YES
84	Lubbock	Texas	YES
85	Baton Rouge	Louisiana	YES
86	Durham	North Carolina	YES
87	Garland	Texas	YES
88	Glendale	Arizona	YES
89	Reno	Nevada	YES
90	Hialeah	Florida	YES
91	Chesapeake [e]	Virginia	YES
92	Scottsdale	Arizona	YES
93	North Las Vegas	Nevada	YES
94	Irving	Texas	YES
95	Fremont	California	YES
96	Irvine	California	YES
97	Birmingham	Alabama	YES
98	Rochester	New York	YES
99	San Bernardino	California	?
100	Spokane	Washington	YES

“Lame-Duck Council” and Urban Hens

Lame-duck council OK’d plan

Lots of people are angry over the City Council decision to create a citywide park district.

In emails to the council, in public testimony and in online comments under news stories about the action, there has been some talk of “throwing the bums out.”

If that term applies to those who voted in favor of the park district, there will be only one “bum” to throw out.

The resolution to create the district passed on a 7-3 vote Monday. Three of those voting in favor, Peggie Gaghen, Vince Ruegamer and Dick Clark, were attending their last meeting. They have all served two consecutive terms and could not seek re-election last fall.

Three others who voted for it, Jim Ronquillo, Jani McCall and Ed Ulledalen, will be term-limited. Ulledalen and Ronquillo see their terms end as of Dec. 31, 2013. McCall was just re-elected and her term ends as of Dec. 31, 2015.

The other “yes” vote was cast by Mayor Tom Hanel, who will complete his first term in 2013 and could choose to run again. Mark Astle didn’t vote because he was absent. He is also serving his first term and could run again in 2013.

The “no” votes were cast by Angela Cimmino, Denis Pitman and Rich McFadden.

Read more: http://billingsgazette.com/news/local/government-and-politics/council-has-lots-of-details-to-sort-out-following-park/article_b9f3b6c6-6de2-5819-a84c-a104db570338.html#ixzz1hDDHGReg

Our only point? 2014 is coming… it will be a new year and a new council, and perhaps, new Mayor. Of course, we still have 2 years to show the current and incoming folks how this issue really CAN work in Billings (as it does in MOST other major cities in the nation). (“>

Don’t Hinder Enhancements…

http://billingsgazette.com/news/opinion/mailbag/don-t-hinder-enhancements-by-banning-chickens/article_d8b52f33-6cc4-5ff5-ad36-e815d5993ae7.html

Great Letter to the Editor of the Billings Gazette, from Merry Ann Peters. Apply reason & logic to good intentions, and the recipe should result in Backyard Hens!

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Billings’ Own… “Super Chicken”????

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Magic City Hen’s (http://MagicCityHens.wordpress.com) “Super Chicken” was seen downtown Billings on 1st Friday of December, 2011… wowing the crowd and hugging the police, petting dogs and Painted Ponies and putting huge smiles on children’s faces.

Call… (bock bock bock bock) On Super Chicken! (“>