tj
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Chickens!
Dec 1, 2021 8:38:44 GMT -6
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Post by tj on Dec 1, 2021 8:38:44 GMT -6
Yay for everyone surviving! Who gets to name then all? We have Sweetie and 2-20. 😂 P says she has named them all. But she tells stories.
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Chickens!
May 14, 2022 15:45:58 GMT -6
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Post by niko8083 on May 14, 2022 15:45:58 GMT -6
Anybody deal with bumble foot before? One of our girls has it and I need to try to treat at home. I’m googling but, wanted to see if anyone had first hand experience.
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rugger
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Post by rugger on May 14, 2022 19:43:09 GMT -6
Anybody deal with bumble foot before? One of our girls has it and I need to try to treat at home. I’m googling but, wanted to see if anyone had first hand experience. I couldn't bring myself to lacerate and remove the infected part myself. We did epsom salt soaks and sprayed with an antibiotic spray, then wrapped in vet wrap to try and keep them clean. Repeated every couple days for a week or so. It seems to have resolved itself. 🤷 There are people on a local backyard chicken group that have done the "surgery" but that's not in my comfort zone.
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Chickens!
May 15, 2022 14:01:38 GMT -6
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Post by niko8083 on May 15, 2022 14:01:38 GMT -6
Anybody deal with bumble foot before? One of our girls has it and I need to try to treat at home. I’m googling but, wanted to see if anyone had first hand experience. I couldn't bring myself to lacerate and remove the infected part myself. We did epsom salt soaks and sprayed with an antibiotic spray, then wrapped in vet wrap to try and keep them clean. Repeated every couple days for a week or so. It seems to have resolved itself. 🤷 There are people on a local backyard chicken group that have done the "surgery" but that's not in my comfort zone. This is the method we chose to do as well. She is still eating and drinking and tolerating her foot being wrapped. I’ll just continue this and see how it looks after a week or so I guess.
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tj
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Chickens!
May 18, 2022 7:55:06 GMT -6
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Post by tj on May 18, 2022 7:55:06 GMT -6
Y’all. Mama hen is such a good mama. I’m so happy for her. Her 2 little chickies are doing amazing and it’s just all so cute.
And since we figured out her little trick of hiding eggs to lay on, we started being a little more thorough with our searches of the coop. And sure enough, our other older blondie has a stash of eggs as well. And guess what? One chicky hatched last night! I think another might be about to. These sneaky little mamas.
But also omg the cuteness.
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rugger
Amethyst
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Post by rugger on May 18, 2022 8:58:09 GMT -6
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rugger
Amethyst
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Post by rugger on May 18, 2022 8:58:58 GMT -6
Who wants to help me green up this space?? What should we plant? They need their own greenery so they'll don't poop all over "our side" of the yard
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Chickens!
Jul 9, 2022 15:37:35 GMT -6
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Post by niko8083 on Jul 9, 2022 15:37:35 GMT -6
One of our hens has decided to start crowing. Is this a thing? I haven’t researched it yet. We seen her standing on a stump and crowing a few times. She will also ruffle up her feathers on occasion like she’s trying to look bigger, aggressive. She still sits in the nest box and lays eggs. 🤷🏼♀️
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rugger
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Post by rugger on Jul 9, 2022 15:56:06 GMT -6
One of our hens has decided to start crowing. Is this a thing? I haven’t researched it yet. We seen her standing on a stump and crowing a few times. She will also ruffle up her feathers on occasion like she’s trying to look bigger, aggressive. She still sits in the nest box and lays eggs. 🤷🏼♀️ Ohh I've heard of this. She's likely the top of the pecking order
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rugger
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Post by rugger on Jul 9, 2022 16:03:19 GMT -6
We're all very sad and angry over here. While on vacation, the day before we returned, one hen smooch through a fence gap and was seen in our front yard. Someone posted it on our neighborhood FB group. Then, a very nosey "Karen" used that picture as fuel to get us in trouble with the HOA. It's all very frustrating. Could we have taken a picture of an empty coop and said they're gone (but secretly kept them)? Probably. But then we'd be walking on eggshells b/c "Karen" can see our yard from her 2nd story window and we'd feel like she'd just complain again or call them a "nuisance" whenever she could. And traveling would be stressful thinking about them escaping. And they aren't used to being kept in their small run all day, so they wouldn't be happy if we just kept them locked in. They are going to a new home tomorrow, and we're all bummed, especially the girls. It hurts to watch them grieve 😥
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Chickens!
Jul 9, 2022 16:37:38 GMT -6
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Post by niko8083 on Jul 9, 2022 16:37:38 GMT -6
We're all very sad and angry over here. While on vacation, the day before we returned, one hen smooch through a fence gap and was seen in our front yard. Someone posted it on our neighborhood FB group. Then, a very nosey "Karen" used that picture as fuel to get us in trouble with the HOA. It's all very frustrating. Could we have taken a picture of an empty coop and said they're gone (but secretly kept them)? Probably. But then we'd be walking on eggshells b/c "Karen" can see our yard from her 2nd story window and we'd feel like she'd just complain again or call them a "nuisance" whenever she could. And traveling would be stressful thinking about them escaping. And they aren't used to being kept in their small run all day, so they wouldn't be happy if we just kept them locked in. They are going to a new home tomorrow, and we're all bummed, especially the girls. It hurts to watch them grieve 😥 That sucks! I wish people would keep their noses where they belong. So sorry for your girls.
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sarenu
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Post by sarenu on Jul 10, 2022 8:19:51 GMT -6
Well that just sucks.
There are a couple people in our town that keep hens. We technically aren’t allowed to in this city.
I can see reporting them if they regularly cause issues (like being in the road or wondering on to others lawns), but this is just petty.
Hopefully you can find a better home that will allow this in the future.
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Post by pbandj714 on Jul 10, 2022 9:28:55 GMT -6
Sorry rugger.
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rugger
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Post by rugger on Jul 10, 2022 10:20:54 GMT -6
Thanks guys ❤️ We were all set (and kids had time to process) to have them leave today. And at the last second, the people couldn't come (b/c the husband was called into work). So now we're in Limbo waiting to see if they can come this evening or if we need to make other plans. Or maybe just keep them and try to appeal the decision with the HOA Board? I dunno. We're emotionally drained over here and I don't want my kids to go through another grieving process
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milano
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Post by milano on Jul 10, 2022 11:31:35 GMT -6
rugger do your HOA bylaws specifically prohibit you from having chickens? Or was it not stated and the board just voted to not allow them once someone complained?
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rugger
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Post by rugger on Jul 10, 2022 12:32:16 GMT -6
rugger do your HOA bylaws specifically prohibit you from having chickens? Or was it not stated and the board just voted to not allow them once someone complained? " 7 .14 Household Pets. No animals, livestock, birds, poultry, reptiles or insects of any kind, shall be raised, bred, kept or boarded in or on any portion of the Planned Community; except that dogs, cats or other customary household pets may be kept thereon if they are not raised, bred or maintained for any commercial purpose, and are not kept in such number or in such manner as to create a nuisance or inconvenience to any Owner or Guest." From our inside information, most of the board members don't care, only one is very opposed. The person that reported us (twice) told the HOA Mgr to "do something about it" when someone posted a picture of the escaped hen. We were told that the Board did not consider poultry "customary pets"... But apparently the Board didn't actually vote on it? So.... Yeah. All around very sloppy handling of the situation and all because a stupid woman couldn't keep to her own business.
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milano
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Post by milano on Jul 10, 2022 19:46:11 GMT -6
rugger do your HOA bylaws specifically prohibit you from having chickens? Or was it not stated and the board just voted to not allow them once someone complained? " 7 .14 Household Pets. No animals, livestock, birds, poultry, reptiles or insects of any kind, shall be raised, bred, kept or boarded in or on any portion of the Planned Community; except that dogs, cats or other customary household pets may be kept thereon if they are not raised, bred or maintained for any commercial purpose, and are not kept in such number or in such manner as to create a nuisance or inconvenience to any Owner or Guest." From our inside information, most of the board members don't care, only one is very opposed. The person that reported us (twice) told the HOA Mgr to "do something about it" when someone posted a picture of the escaped hen. We were told that the Board did not consider poultry "customary pets"... But apparently the Board didn't actually vote on it? So.... Yeah. All around very sloppy handling of the situation and all because a stupid woman couldn't keep to her own business. Ugh yeah that's not clearly worded. "Customary" is not totally specific so I feel like you should have a chance to talk to the board - clearly they aren't a nuisance and your backyard is very clean and well-kept so they can't blame it on that. I would reach out to the board and see if you can meet with them. Hopefully they are reasonable people and you can work something out. In my neighborhood, with that wording, the board would meet with the homeowners and we would have to vote on whether or not the chickens were allowed. But the way it is worded in your bylaws irritates me. Ours is very clearly spelled out that no outside animals are allowed, but you can have as many animals as you want inside your house.
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rugger
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Post by rugger on Jul 10, 2022 19:55:19 GMT -6
milano we ended up talking with some friends (the husband happens to be on the board...and they have chickens) and decided to formally appeal. A very lengthy, bullet-pointed email addressing how they are, in fact, our pets, we can purchase their supplies from local dept stores, our children gave them names and treat them like any other pet, how we give them ample space, and how they are actually a benefit to the ecosystem, not a nuisance. Plus, we asked for a Zoom meeting with Board Members so we know this actually makes its way to them (not just the HOA Mgr). I think it was a very well crafted email, but I'm so nervous for the response 🙈
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milano
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Post by milano on Jul 10, 2022 21:25:09 GMT -6
rugger good luck!! The fact that you aren't the only chicken owners seems promising. Freaking Karens. They're the worst.
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rugger
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Post by rugger on Jul 12, 2022 15:44:53 GMT -6
rugger good luck!! The fact that you aren't the only chicken owners seems promising. Freaking Karens. They're the worst. Thanks! I don't think they know about the other chicken owners. Well, aside from the one Board Member (but I don't think the others know about that) and I'm not about to call anyone out.
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milano
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Post by milano on Jul 12, 2022 19:10:46 GMT -6
rugger good luck!! The fact that you aren't the only chicken owners seems promising. Freaking Karens. They're the worst. Thanks! I don't think they know about the other chicken owners. Well, aside from the one Board Member (but I don't think the others know about that) and I'm not about to call anyone out. That's so funny to me because in my neighborhood people know ALL the things about everyone. No way in hell would secret chickens exist, they'd be outed and I would get an email about it in literal minutes. I swear some of the Olds have the neighborhood bugged 😆
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rugger
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Post by rugger on Jul 12, 2022 20:39:41 GMT -6
Thanks! I don't think they know about the other chicken owners. Well, aside from the one Board Member (but I don't think the others know about that) and I'm not about to call anyone out. That's so funny to me because in my neighborhood people know ALL the things about everyone. No way in hell would secret chickens exist, they'd be outed and I would get an email about it in literal minutes. I swear some of the Olds have the neighborhood bugged 😆 Our lots are TINY, too. Most lots are under 5,000sf. And, the fact that the lady across the street from us didn't even know we had them... Tells you they aren't such a nuisance. (Meanwhile I can hear the dogs on the next street over at all hours of the day 🙄) Also, we heard someone has *Ducks* 🦆 in their yard. I mean, c'mon! I swear if we don't win this appeal, I'm going to be livid.
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rugger
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Post by rugger on Jul 18, 2022 20:25:03 GMT -6
Well, we just lost the fight with the HOA. Apparently we could potentially get the by-laws changed if we get 68% signatures to amend it in favor of allowing chickens. It's a weirdly specific number, and I feel like 1/3 of this neighborhood is rentals, so do they even count? Is that % every resident-homeowner? I think we're giving up at this point; I'm so pissed and emotionally drained.
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mc13
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Post by mc13 on Jul 19, 2022 5:34:42 GMT -6
Well, we just lost the fight with the HOA. Apparently we could potentially get the by-laws changed if we get 68% signatures to amend it in favor of allowing chickens. It's a weirdly specific number, and I feel like 1/3 of this neighborhood is rentals, so do they even count? Is that % every resident-homeowner? I think we're giving up at this point; I'm so pissed and emotionally drained. I'm sorry rugger. Maybe you can rally the neighborhood to sign? Chickens are becoming more and more common everywhere. Our town recently changed its rules to allow them.
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Chickens!
Jul 19, 2022 6:49:16 GMT -6
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Post by niko8083 on Jul 19, 2022 6:49:16 GMT -6
Well, we just lost the fight with the HOA. Apparently we could potentially get the by-laws changed if we get 68% signatures to amend it in favor of allowing chickens. It's a weirdly specific number, and I feel like 1/3 of this neighborhood is rentals, so do they even count? Is that % every resident-homeowner? I think we're giving up at this point; I'm so pissed and emotionally drained. That really sucks! Didn’t you say others in the hoa have chickens? What happens to theirs?
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sarenu
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Post by sarenu on Jul 19, 2022 8:22:18 GMT -6
Well, we just lost the fight with the HOA. Apparently we could potentially get the by-laws changed if we get 68% signatures to amend it in favor of allowing chickens. It's a weirdly specific number, and I feel like 1/3 of this neighborhood is rentals, so do they even count? Is that % every resident-homeowner? I think we're giving up at this point; I'm so pissed and emotionally drained. That really sucks! Didn’t you say others in the hoa have chickens? What happens to theirs? Maybe you can work together to get it passes. I know this sucks, but the other families might be reported as well. It might benefit them to get this passed. Sorry this sucks.
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rugger
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Post by rugger on Jul 19, 2022 9:40:21 GMT -6
Well, we just lost the fight with the HOA. Apparently we could potentially get the by-laws changed if we get 68% signatures to amend it in favor of allowing chickens. It's a weirdly specific number, and I feel like 1/3 of this neighborhood is rentals, so do they even count? Is that % every resident-homeowner? I think we're giving up at this point; I'm so pissed and emotionally drained. I'm sorry rugger. Maybe you can rally the neighborhood to sign? Chickens are becoming more and more common everywhere. Our town recently changed its rules to allow them. It's possible, I suppose, but could take months and months, and there's still no guarantee that we'll win. I just don't want to keep getting the kids' hopes up to have them continually squashed, ya know? We got a petition signed by 28 homeowners (25 households) within 3 days and the Board didn't seem to care about that at all. We only have 178 homes in our neighborhood, that wasn't an insignificant number, either.
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rugger
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Post by rugger on Jul 19, 2022 9:45:09 GMT -6
Well, we just lost the fight with the HOA. Apparently we could potentially get the by-laws changed if we get 68% signatures to amend it in favor of allowing chickens. It's a weirdly specific number, and I feel like 1/3 of this neighborhood is rentals, so do they even count? Is that % every resident-homeowner? I think we're giving up at this point; I'm so pissed and emotionally drained. That really sucks! Didn’t you say others in the hoa have chickens? What happens to theirs? Yeah, we know of at least 3 other families that have them. They just fly under the radar, I guess. Part of why this all sucks so much, too. No one has called them out. It's all because one hen got out while we were on vacation, and someone posted it up on the FB page, bringing attention to us. (That person didn't do it maliciously. She didn't even know we had them. But she def should have just texted us instead of posting the address along with the pic for everyone to see)
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milano
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Post by milano on Jul 19, 2022 19:44:18 GMT -6
Ugh rugger that sucks. I think it is possible to get enough people on board to get them approved, but it will likely take awhile and yes all the homes count toward that percentage even if the homeowners are part-time residents. What do you think would happen if you just...did nothing? Let the hens be? Worst case you get a fine?
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rugger
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Post by rugger on Jul 19, 2022 20:02:01 GMT -6
Ugh rugger that sucks. I think it is possible to get enough people on board to get them approved, but it will likely take awhile and yes all the homes count toward that percentage even if the homeowners are part-time residents. What do you think would happen if you just...did nothing? Let the hens be? Worst case you get a fine? Trust me, we've thought about it. We'd get fined for sure and probably be targeted for anything they could think of. Plus, I don't think R can keep her mouth quiet long enough to keep it a secret. Not worth the stress IMO. The sadness had already started again. R keeps spiraling on it and A is super clingy. 😢 They are supposed to go to a nice guy with a young daughter who lives on 35 acres. They should have plenty of room to free range and live their best chicken lives.
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