Reduce.Reuse.Recycle - Creative Reuse in the City

Some folks have recently appeared to be amazed  and stunned when I have announced that my chickens are housed in a vacant neighbors garage now titled "the barn". I have even done the deep bedding method in there. Its not the most secure or airtight but neither was their coop. Now the coop is inside the barn as well as a baby brooding area where 6 chicks (7 weeks old) and 3 muscovy ducks live.

I'm having a hard time convincing these muscovies to leave and go outside with everyone else. My ducks generally always stay outside. They don't really need shelter. They do have a dog house they can use and lots of shady underside of trees to sleep under. I also give them plenty of dry straw before winter so they can snuggle up on something dry.

But my 4 big girl hens who lay come out of the barn every morning and over to the back yard for daytime and back in the evening. They like it, its their routine. And God forbid I mess with the routine. They will refuse to lay for days or weeks depending on how bad I have screwed things up!

Well anyway the point of all of this - is my creative reuse of an abandoned garage. I share a driveway with the garage and had already been using the lawn for years. In fact I plan to Lot Links the property eventually (it's just now 2 years delinquent but the porch imploded and its unlikely to be up for much of anything but a tear down). Here's a hint into how my brain works: I see unused things as decaying and heading towards death. By using something I am giving it new life and new purpose. I really really dislike all of the vacant houses around us. Vacant lots covered in grass are near criminal, hence, my urban farm. And I believe in making life what you want it to be. I want my life to be growing, full, a bit overcrowded and weedy, but full to the brim. So I've constructed a life that is just that.

Please share your story of creative reuse - for example, a friend turned her shed into a chicken coop. What have you done to add vibrancy around you or to defy decay or push the boundaries of normal to create a wonderful life?

Miamisburg and Springfield laws

Jason sent you this message from Southwestern Ohio backyard
poultry Meetup group on Meetup:

"Springfield ordanance is as follows:

You can have any birds you want, given that you allow 100'
between your birds and any adjoining property line.  Ergo,
unless you have a bit over an acre of land, you don't have
chickens...cleaver, no?  I have not approached the city counsel
to have this changed, but at some point I may."

Nick, also from Southwestern Ohio backyard poultry Meetup group has the following to say about Miamisburg laws:

"Hi everyone I hope this you guys are had a great spring. I just had a meeting with the city of Miamisburg about our chickens and if we are going to be able to keep them or not. long story short chickens are not legal in the city limits. They however are thinking about makeing them legal because of all the calls and emails they have gotten. So I just applied for a special permit until this can go before city council July 11,2011. I need your help!!!! What can you do? First off Email City Council let them know why you like having backyard chickens maybe the benefits that they provide your you and or your family and send in a picture of your chickens with you or your family. Second if its not to much trouble for you come join me the night of the city council meeting. We need to show voting force even if you don't live in Miamisburg it shows this is a trend not just one guy wanting chickens. We know the green movement is here and with green you have chickens they go hand in hand. Here is email address elected@cityofmiamisburg.org elected@cityofmiamisburg.org Please don't wait to send in your email."

Westerville Man wants chickens

Share me

As a former C-bus resident. I think that if Columbus and Bexley can have chickens, Dayton is a no brainer. We're smaller and funkier by nature. I can't imagine the harm that a few hens here and there could do to our city's reputation. I'm wondering what people think they're protecting residents from when they oppose backyard chickens?

Share this story and reply below!

Dayton and Other Nearby Burbs: What are the rules?

So, folks are dying to know: Can I have chickens where I live?

Since I have researched Dayton the most - I'll start with them:

In the Dayton municipal code section 91.01 it says "Pet means an animal that has been adapted or tamed to live in intimate association with or for the pleasure or advantage of people and includes, but is not limited to dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, and hamsters. Pet does not mean any animal purposely kept as food." This is one point of contention that I had with the city staff. I believe a few laying hens would be pets, not food. I don't plan to kill them once they stop laying eggs and that makes them pets in my book. What I heard from the staff is that since you are harvesting something from the animal it isn't a pet in their book. I disagree.

In municipal code section 91.02 part (4) it says you may not:
"Keep animals other than cattle, poultry or fowl, swine, sheep, or goats in an enclosure without wholesome exercise and change of air, nor feed cows on food that produces impure or unwholesome milk." BTW - I interpret this as permission to keep chickens in pens but they want them to be fed wholesome food and get fresh air.


Similar to the state law; it says in Sec. 91.04 that you can not sell baby chicks less than 3 weeks of age in lots of less than 6 chicks. In the municipal code in section 91.20 it also says you can not let a herd of animals run in the street including chickens. But, if they find you running after your chickens - they won't impound them! The imagery I have of chicken fanciers chasing chickens down their blocks all over Dayton - makes me laugh =)!

 In Sec. 91.10. - Manner of keeping animals.

(A)No person shall keep or maintain any animal in the city in such manner so as to become a public nuisance or disturb the peace, comfort, or health of any person residing within the city.

(B) The keeping of all animals within the city shall be subject to all pertinent regulations of the State Health Department and the health officer. 

 In Sec. 91.17. - Unnecessary noises by animals.

No person shall keep any animal which by causing frequent or long continued noise shall disturb one or more inhabitants of two separate residences in the vicinity. Such action is declared to be a public nuisance and detrimental to public health and welfare.

In section 94.05 (E) You can not have animals or birds that make long or enumerated noises such that it would disturb your neighbor. Since in my experience a few hens are less noisy than spring robins, I think we can meet this requirement.


You can check out the code for yourself, here: http://library.municode.com/index.aspx?clientId=13723&stateId=35&stateName=Ohio

My suggestion to city staff is to allow hens only; clean pens weekly; dispose of waste in trash or compost piles; keep feed free of rodents; if requested, don't place pens near property lines; register and pay a fee, NO ROOSTERS (they could be construed as noise nuisances anyway) and in any other way accommodate the locavores who love the City and want to also raise chickens here.

The city staff also recently made a push to allow bees, community gardens, compost, and more pop-up farmer's markets in the zoning code. While I appreciated those changes, clarifying the zoning code to allow registered chickens really seems like the more responsible way of doing things than telling folks to just do it in secret.

So I'm on a mission to root out the specifics in other localities. I've heard Kettering is a no (but I have no personal knowledge). I called Harrison Township and since the link on their web page was down when I tried to access the law; I talked with someone in community development or zoning department. He seemed to think it was a no: and no, no one in their township wanted chickens. They would be way too dirty and noisy. I began to argue when I realized I don't live there - and never will, if they don't get more friendly.

BUT the first time I called Dayton about chickens I got the same info. Until I looked more closely for myself at the law. So, if you live in another locality, PLEASE, PLEASE - research your law. Don't take their word for it. Call the City staff, and, with the details in front of you, negotiate. Then post here about your progress.

Together, we can make this happen!

 

Link to Dayton Daily News Article about us

http://www.daytondailynews.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/dayton/farmlife/entries/2011/03/31/do_daytonians_want_chickens_ti.html

Luci Beachdell wrote a nice little blog on the DDN site that got folks here. I wanted to share the link to her story in case you found me mysteriously another way.

From what I've heard from Luci a lot of us have similar goals for our backyard flock - fun, sweet pets who are hilarious to watch and fresh eggs that taste and are nothing like what you get from the store. No, we don't want roosters, and no, we don't plan to have messy smelly or loud pets. I would love it if someone would tell all the thump thump music vehicles that, no, we don't want to hear that window rattling music at any time of the day. Or, tell the large dog owner that, no, people don't appreciate being chased in their houses by loose dogs. But, since I can't, I plan to be a respectful neighbor who has a quiet flock (less noisy than some mating robins BTW) and a clean pen area.

Please share in the comments about how you plan to keep chickens and what would you do to appease neighbors. Hint, hint: an obvious help is to share eggs!

Cool websites and resources

http://urbanchickens.org/
www.backyardchickens.com
thecitychicken.com 
www.citychickens.com

The website of one of my fav authors where she details her backyard urban farm:
http://ghosttownfarm.wordpress.com/

Add your own favorite resources in the comments:

Why This Blog Exists

I'm trying to gather support and enthusiasm in Dayton, Ohio for backyard chickens. A first step for Daytonians who want to grow more than veggies. It may at first seem a bit extreme. But, we're not talking about Roosters here. We're talking about folks producing more of their own food. With food and gas costs skyrocketing and Dayton's job market continuing to decline, its a very real possibility that food scarcity could lead folks to be interested in chickens. Plus organic eggs can cost $3 to $4 per dozen.

More than food scarcity, though, is self-sufficiency. Since more and more of us are interested in this option, chickens seem like a logical next step.Also, as Dayton tries to attract green, young hipster types to move in and work, here - the more friendly we should be to young, green hipsters who like the idea of growing their own food.

So, if you are into chickens and want to influence policies and codes in Dayton, join this blog and share your story. We'll keep your secrets, for now anyway!