We Love Our Baby Chicks

OK Update on Peanut, our special Rhode Island Red hen. I was surprised when she started to act broody.  I didn't know that RIRs were ever broody but our wise group let me know that heritage RIRs are great mommies!  Now she's got three little cute chicks that she hatched from herself and Frosty our frizzle rooster. They're 3 weeks old now and wonderfully friendly and I might even say i think that they are girls. I could sit all day holding Peanut and the three of them. They like to sit on her back and we all take quicky naps together.

Here's a super cute video of one of the chicks not even a week old dust bathing with her mommy. It's funny to see her get kicked around and loving it. 

http://www.youtube.co...

 I love Peanut and her babies.

Support Chickens, Bees and Goats at the Long Beach City Council Meeting 7/16 5pm

It's the big moment when the Long Beach City Council will address the proposed changes to allow more people to have chickens, goats and bees.  The proposed changes to the municipal code is a bundle right now but the council members can ask for any kind of changes.  We are awaiting the proposed agenda and we are hoping that there will be a revised version of the changes.  You never know which way things will go and it would be best to email the representatives ahead of time as they will likely be reviewing opinions now!  Here are people you can contact to show your support of making urban agriculture more accessible to the people of Long Beach and changes in Long Beach will hopefully help out people trying to changes codes in other cities.  If you are in support please send the city a message, otherwise they won't know.

The city council meeting is held in the city chambers at 333 W Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, CA.  There is a time for public commentary at which time you can say something in support of chickens, goats and bees.  Hope to see you there.
 

Mayor Bob Foster
mayor@longbeach.gov

City Manager
Patrick.West@longbeach.gov

City Prosecuter
Douglas.Haubert@longbeach.gov

1st District council and staff
Robert.Garcia@longbeach.gov
district1@longbeach.gov

2nd District council and staff
Suja.Lowenthal@longbeach.gov
district2@longbeach.gov

3rd District council and staff
Gary.DeLong@longbeach.gov
district3@longbeach.gov

4th District council and staff
Patrick.ODonnell@longbeach.gov
district4@longbeach.gov

5th District council and staff
Gerrie.Schipske@longbeach.gov
district5@longbeach.gov

6th District council and staff
 Dee.Andrews@longbeach.gov
district6@longbeach.gov

7th District council and staff
 James.Johnson@longbeach.gov
district7@longbeach.gov

8th District council and staff
 Al.Austin@longbeach.gov
district8@longbeach.gov

9th District council and staff
 Steven.Neal@longbeach.gov
district9@longbeach.gov

From the last city meeting (below) so there may have been changes but as soon as there is updated info, I'll change it here.

The Long Beach City Environmental Committee has posted the recommended changes to the city code.   http://longbeach.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=1321947&GUID=CE765177-D0C8-493F-9CC2-5EF47CB52933&Options=&Search=

Please take a look.  One of the strangest things is that water and food need to be given every 12 hours.  That's silly.  You need to have your home inspected before a license can be issued.  And the worse, is that the "inspector" can determine if there is anything else that would be of concern that would not allow a license to be given in addition to many other things.  There is also something that says that the enclosure needs to be cleaned daily so technically deep litter wouldn't be allowed.

The City's current ordinance allows livestock in some areas of Long Beach, but not in others. The Environmental Committee is considering an ordinance that may standardize the City's livestock ordinance throughout the City, and create new standards for allowing chickens, goats and bees in residential areas.

Great Tips For Coop Building

I love what I just found on Urban Chickens which had a link to this great list of tips.  When you go to the site just click on the tiny pic and it's easy to read.  You'll love it!

https://s3.amazonaws.com/evp-4b58b3dd90f92-f9dbba147ad49b4bf9133116e469eabe/ChickenCoopGraphic.jpg

https://s3.amazonaws.com/evp-4b58b3dd90f92-f9dbba147ad49b4bf9133116e469eabe/ChickenCoopGraphic.jpg

Ultimate Way To Say, "I Love My Chickens"

It's very LA to show your love and devotion to your chickens by getting an incredible tattoo.  Artist, Mike DeVries, is in Northridge and has created this remarkable image.  Almost seems like he's going to peck you if you look at him the wrong way.

Children's Chicken Art

I was delighted to see some of the thank-you pictures that Erik and Kelly got after a school class visited their urban homestead.  Here's a sample of what the created after watching their chicken frolic in their coop and dust bathe.

Sprouting, Fermenting, Fodder and Kombucha Fun

Featured Chicken Enthusiasts:  Marcella, Dave, and Amanda

Last weekend Marcella hosted our meetup for Sprouting, Fermenting, Fodder and Kombucha.  She had a great set-up with an area to project our screen for a little Chicken Enthusiast Blog and seed/sprouting 101 science.  Dave discussed how to sprout the easy low tech way with upcycled nut containers.  What was even more creative was adding a step for inoculating the sprouts with a lactobacillus mixture to further boost the nutritional and health value of the sprouts.  Still writing will finish this up later today. Stay tuned, just need to run a chicken errand.

Chicken of the Day: Peanut

Featured Chicken Enthusiast:  Roberta, Long Beach

I'm a fun loving chicken  who just wants to run free to check out the yard.  I love to scratch in the moist soil and find insects to eat.  I ignore the dogs and they ignore me.  I was named because I turned out to be a girl after being a packing peanut for some of my sisters.  I my mommy's favorite. I'm 8 months old and am a Rhode Island Red.  I'm the first out of the coop every time.

Peanut