en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/637672 Comments by greenat50 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/2010/09/02/few-takers-so-far-for-backyard-permits-in-cedar-rapids#IDComment96625750 Fortunately, it was not illegal to construct a coop in Cedar Rapids as buildings under 120 square feet were not regulated by zoning until this week. Ms. Mumaw had great confidence in the city council and their thoughtfulness and logic. The modular coop was under construction in her garage (thanks to her diligent husband and his carpentry skills) and was moved a piece at a time throughout the summer is anticipation of the ordinance and its new occupants. Thu, 2 Sep 2010 17:47:06 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/2010/09/02/few-takers-so-far-for-backyard-permits-in-cedar-rapids#IDComment96625750 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/2010/09/02/few-takers-so-far-for-backyard-permits-in-cedar-rapids#IDComment96623896 Thank you, Cindy, for a lovely experience and article. The photos are wonderful, too! CR-CLUC appreciates the open minded approach that the Gazette has taken in covering our journey to allowing hens in the backyard. Have a wonderful holiday weekend. Rebecca Thu, 2 Sep 2010 17:33:24 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/2010/09/02/few-takers-so-far-for-backyard-permits-in-cedar-rapids#IDComment96623896 http://gazetteonline.com/blogs/24-hour-dorman/2010/07/28/cr-council-chickens-and-art#IDComment89374138 Unfortunately, this council seems to be more interested in their bi-weekly comedy line-up than they are about streamlining and prioritizing. I love your column, Todd, but I'm starting to think it just gives them a forum for the drama. Wed, 28 Jul 2010 16:05:21 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/blogs/24-hour-dorman/2010/07/28/cr-council-chickens-and-art#IDComment89374138 http://gazetteonline.com/blogs/24-hour-dorman/2010/06/11/vacation#IDComment79734227 You are too funny, Todd. Have a super vacation. We look forward to your return! Sat, 12 Jun 2010 14:02:45 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/blogs/24-hour-dorman/2010/06/11/vacation#IDComment79734227 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/government/2010/05/24/palo-passes-backyard-chicken-ordinance#IDComment77033593 I am so impressed with Palo. No fanfare, no drama...just common sense and a speedy response. Speaking of which, when will backyard hens get on the agenda in Cedar Rapids? The trial needs to begin soon so that people can still get chicks before winter. If you want to join the backyard hen trial, email: crcluc@gmail.com with your name, address and phone and we'll get you on the list! Tue, 25 May 2010 12:17:10 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/government/2010/05/24/palo-passes-backyard-chicken-ordinance#IDComment77033593 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/blogs/24-hour-dorman/2010/05/18/probationary-poultry#IDComment76041817 Thank you, Todd, for recognizing the careful planning and execution of the lobbying effort by CR-CLUC. We are thrilled that the council is willing to take a chance on the trial. We will hold up our end of the bargain and do everything we can to make having hens in Cedar Rapids a positive experience for the entire community. Tue, 18 May 2010 17:55:34 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/blogs/24-hour-dorman/2010/05/18/probationary-poultry#IDComment76041817 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/2010/05/11/backyard-chicken-advocates-continue-to-push-council#IDComment75414225 I didn't mean to be glib. I agree that it is important to have restrictions in place to ensure that we don't infringe on the rights of our neighbors. That is why there are restrictions in the hen trial. Where we disagree is that I believe (based on information from communities that have had hens legal for years) that a few families having a few hens in Cedar Rapids will not impact anyone's ability to enjoy their property and will enhance the quality of life for everyone. Fri, 14 May 2010 13:04:57 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/2010/05/11/backyard-chicken-advocates-continue-to-push-council#IDComment75414225 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/2010/05/11/backyard-chicken-advocates-continue-to-push-council#IDComment75098554 True, we aren't forcing anyone to get hens, that would be imposing. We do in this country protect the rights of the minority, not just the preferences of the majority. A few of us would like to feed our families in this way, without relying on fossil fuels to ship our food in and without wondering if it is safe. We are accepting restrictions that will keep hens from disturbing our neighbors. We also have the right to enjoy our property, just as the "majority" does. You never know, you might be less of a basketcase if you had a few hens...they are quite comical and therapeutic....they are used as therapy animals in many hospital and hospice programs. Wed, 12 May 2010 18:12:24 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/2010/05/11/backyard-chicken-advocates-continue-to-push-council#IDComment75098554 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/93513019.html#IDComment75074305 Lucky for us there has never been a case of bird flu in the United States. Factory farm hens are much more likely to spread the disease than a backyard flock. Wed, 12 May 2010 15:28:41 +0000 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/93513019.html#IDComment75074305 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/2010/05/11/backyard-chicken-advocates-continue-to-push-council#IDComment75065233 Thanks to all the folks that worked so hard to get to this point...I know that some people have questions... - roosters aren't needed to get eggs, the ordinance will specify NO ROOSTERS - 3 hens produce the same amount of doo as a 15 pound dog...not really that much and easy to manage. - Chickens transmit many fewer diseases to humans than do dogs and cats. That's why chicken poo is compostable...making great organic fertilizer for the garden. - Hens put themselves to bed at dusk and sleep through the night so no noise at night. - City farmers generally purchase large breed hens that are quieter and calmer than the white leghorns or hybrid crosses that most people had on the farm. They are well suited for city life and rarely fly more than a couple of feet above the ground. - the next step is NOT cattle, sheep or pigs. We aren't unreasonable or crazy. We live in the city and have busy lives. We just want to have more control over our food and chickens make a good fit for the city garden...we want to eat the eggs, we are going to take good care of our hens. Wed, 12 May 2010 14:19:00 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/2010/05/11/backyard-chicken-advocates-continue-to-push-council#IDComment75065233 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/93513019.html#IDComment75064886 Thanks to all the folks that worked so hard to get to this point...I know that some people have questions... - roosters aren't needed to get eggs, the ordinance will specify NO ROOSTERS - 3 hens produce the same amount of doo as a 15 pound dog...not really that much and easy to manage. - Chickens transmit many fewer diseases to humans than do dogs and cats. That's why chicken poo is compostable...making great organic fertilizer for the garden. - Hens put themselves to bed at dusk and sleep through the night so no noise at night. - City farmers generally purchase large breed hens that are quieter and calmer than the white leghorns or hybrid crosses that most people had on the farm. They are well suited for city life and rarely fly more than a couple of feet above the ground. - the next step is NOT cattle, sheep or pigs. We aren't unreasonable or crazy. We live in the city and have busy lives. We just want to have more control over our food and chickens make a good fit for the city garden...we want to eat the eggs, we are going to take good care of our hens. Wed, 12 May 2010 14:16:10 +0000 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/93513019.html#IDComment75064886 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/2010/05/11/backyard-chicken-advocates-continue-to-push-council#IDComment75061208 Did you know that you are much more likely to get sick from your dog or cat than from a chicken? That's why you can't compost dog poop...it transmits diseases to humans. Chicken poop on the other hand can be composted and makes great organic fertilizer for the garden. Wed, 12 May 2010 13:46:14 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/2010/05/11/backyard-chicken-advocates-continue-to-push-council#IDComment75061208 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/2010/05/11/backyard-chicken-advocates-continue-to-push-council#IDComment75060853 Predators are already there...no worries that we'll attract more. The hens will be required to be in an enclosure that will protect them from predators...you can keep the shotgun in the closet. Wed, 12 May 2010 13:43:22 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/2010/05/11/backyard-chicken-advocates-continue-to-push-council#IDComment75060853 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/93513019.html#IDComment75060356 Any grain, including bird seed for wild birds, will attract birds. The hens (and their feed) will be an enclosure that will keep the wild birds and predators away...so not to worry. You are more likely to attract rodents and crows with your wild bird feeder. Wed, 12 May 2010 13:38:52 +0000 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/93513019.html#IDComment75060356 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/93513019.html#IDComment75059997 No roosters in the ordinance so no crowing...and hens sleep at night so no noise there, either. Wild birds are much noisier than a handful of hens. Wed, 12 May 2010 13:36:04 +0000 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/93513019.html#IDComment75059997 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/2010/05/11/backyard-chicken-advocates-continue-to-push-council#IDComment74994019 The council does have many grave issues to deal with, but there is nothing more sacred in this country than the rights of its citizens the freedom to enjoy their own property. Provided that I don't interfere with my neighbor's enjoyment of her property, I should not have the goverment telling me what kind of pets that I can raise or how I should feed my family. If this were part of my religious practice, there would be no question that I could raise a few hens... Wed, 12 May 2010 02:50:47 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/2010/05/11/backyard-chicken-advocates-continue-to-push-council#IDComment74994019 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/2010/05/11/backyard-chicken-advocates-continue-to-push-council#IDComment74992297 Hopefully, you will get one, soon... Wed, 12 May 2010 02:32:28 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/2010/05/11/backyard-chicken-advocates-continue-to-push-council#IDComment74992297 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/2010/05/11/backyard-chicken-advocates-continue-to-push-council#IDComment74991893 Oh, good grief. All poop stinks...even yours. The city has ordinances in place that regulate animal odors. 3 hens produce about the same amount of excrement as a 15 pound dog. It can be easily composted (dog manure cannot because it passes on disease) and you have compost for the garden. There is no reason that a neighbor should be subjected to any odors from a few backyard hens...just keep your nose out of the coop and you'll be fine. Wed, 12 May 2010 02:28:01 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/2010/05/11/backyard-chicken-advocates-continue-to-push-council#IDComment74991893 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/2010/05/11/backyard-chicken-advocates-continue-to-push-council#IDComment74991644 You have so bought into the factory farm mentality...up until 50 years ago, everyone had chickens in the yard... The experiment has been to isolate people from their food, grow monocultures of produce, grain and animals and then spend loads of foreign oil on fertilizers, pesticides and gasoline for shipping it all over hell's half acre. And look what we have gotten for it? Diabetes, heart disease, obesity...and a couple of wars to boot. I vote for going back to the "old ways." Wed, 12 May 2010 02:25:27 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/2010/05/11/backyard-chicken-advocates-continue-to-push-council#IDComment74991644 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/2010/05/11/palo-ready-to-open-backyards-to-chickens#IDComment74990420 Way to go, Palo. Isn't it amazing how they were able to get the ordinance proposed, drafted and through a public hearing and two readings in just a few weeks? I want to vote these folks onto the Cedar Rapids city council. They know how to get things done...calmly and efficiently. I am so impressed! Wed, 12 May 2010 02:18:59 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/2010/05/11/palo-ready-to-open-backyards-to-chickens#IDComment74990420