Where to get chicks

Our only local feed store is now taking orders for chicks!

Bourn Feed is located just east of Patricia’s Food on the access road.  Alternatively you can take 70 and get off at the Lake of the Woods exit and then head west.  Bourn orders from Cackle Hatchery, so anything you see on their website you can order through Bourn.  This benefits you because the minumum for shipping in the spring is 25 chicks (min 5 per breed) and you won’t have to pay large S&H costs.  By ordering through Bourn you can get as few as 1 or as many as 6 different breeds.

Hurry though, as Melissa told me today that due to higher national demands last year Bourn had trouble keeping stocked and it was only because  of Griffith Hatchery (which won’t be open this year) that Bourn was able to keep supplied.

I’m going to get a list of the breeds that Bourn usually keeps stock tomorrow and I’ll post again then.

 

KBIA’s Intersection

Urban hens will be the discussion topic for KBIA’s program Intersection on Feb 15th. 

Watch it live from noon to 1pm here and then by clickng on the link provided.

How exciting!

 

Sucess and workshops

Thank you to everyone who has worked so hard for so long to make urban hens a reality in Columbia, MO!

Also  a great big THANK YOU to Darwin Hindman, Paul Sturtz, Karl Skala, and Barbara Hoppe for voting yes last night!

This is a gentle step towards food safety and sustainability.  Plus it’s great fun!

The first Introduction to Urban Hen workshop will be held at 7pm, Feb 17th at 214 St. Joseph.  More details to follow.

 

Urgent!! New Time!

MPORTANT! Rezoning application withdrawn

The rezoning application has been withdrawn so the chicken ordinance will come up much earlier than we thought.

I will be there at 6:45 in the lobby!

 

Agenda for Monday’s vote

The hen ordinance is the last of the second readings.  A conservative estimate is that it will come up about 8 pm.  Therefore I will be in the lobby about 7:55 to discuss last min items with anyone wishing to speak during the public comment period.  Unless it comes up sooner and then I will remain in the council chamber.

Alternatively, if you are able you can also monitor the meeting on the city’s web-page and come down to the meeting as soon as the Great Hangups rezoning discussion is complete:

http://www.gocolumbiamo.com/Council/Meetings/meetings.php

-Mary

 

City Council to VOTE!!!

It’s finally here! 
At the February 1st city council meeting, there will be a public comment session and then council members will vote on the urban hen ordinance. 
 
Council meetings start at 7pm however, the hen ordinance may not be on the agenda that early.  I will be updating this site with a more accurate time after the agenda is published on Friday Jan 29th. 
 
If you wish to speak we will be holding an informal gathering in the lobby prior to going up to the Council Chamber.  If you do not attend the gathering please listen to the comments that come before you so that you do not repeat what others have said.
 
We need to have lots and lots of people attend this meeting to show broad support for hens in Columbia.  Even if you do not want to speak to council or you do not want hens yourself but feel that others should have the right, we still need you to attend.  Please take an hour or two of your time to help us bring hens to Columbia, MO!  Please be aware that demonstrations (clapping, booing, etc) are not allowed during council meetings.
 
Whether you plan to attend or not please, please, please contact your council person! (if you are uncertain who yours is go here) :
(Remember, when contacting city officials, please be considerate.  Theirs is not always an easy job, but they truly want to represent your interests.)
Ward 1 Paul Sturtz, paulsturtz1@gmail.com
Ward 2 Jason Thornhill, ward2@GoColumbiaMo.com
Ward 3 Karl Skala, ward3@GoColumbiaMo.com
Ward 4 Jerry Wade, ward4@GoColumbiaMo.com
Ward 5 Laura Nauser, ward5@GoColumbiaMo.com
Ward 6 Barbara Hoppe, ward6@GoColumbiaMo.com
I will keep this site and facebook updated with new information as it comes available:
Facebook page

Scott Wilson from Wilson Street on CAT tv presents a video on the Columbia, MO Urban Hen Initiative broken up into 5 YouTube videos:
Introduction
Misconceptions
Education
Eggs
Containment
I hope to see lots of you there!
-Mary Stilwell  (mary.ellen.stilwell@gmail.com)

 

CMHS Statement

To: William Watkins 1/13/2010 10:41 AM

“James P. Loveless” <jamesploveless@centurytel.net>

Subject: Please send to Mayor and Council

Bill,
Tonight at its meeting the Board of the Central Mo Humane Society drafted the following statement regarding the proposed chicken ordinance.  I intend to read it at the public hearing for the ordinance.

But since Dan Cailor of the Tribune asked me for a copy of the statement, I felt that it would be prudent for me to send it to you so that you can send it on to council members.  That way they will not be blind-sided when it is published in the newspaper tomorrow.

CMHS Statement Regarding Urban Chickens

“Although the Central Missouri Humane Society and its Board of Directors neither supports nor opposes the ordinance it is appropriate that the board provide the City Council its thoughts on this proposal.

Firstly, we commend the council on the manner in which the ordinance addresses the impact on pets.  Specifically, Sec.5-93 (c) which states that the enclosures must protect from predators, including dogs and cats, and Sec. 5-98 which states that no dog or cat will be considered a dangerous or aggressive animal if it kills a chicken that has gotten loose, for that reason alone.

Secondly, the Central Missouri Humane Society has no facilities for keeping chickens and will not accept chickens from the public.  Since our 2010 contract for services with the City specifically exempts domestic livestock, CMHS will also not accept chickens from the Animal Control Agencies.”

 

Council to Vote on Hen Ordinance

Put it on your calendar:  February 1st, 2010

We need to have as many people attend the meeting at possible.  I’ll update an expected time as we get closer to the date.  It’s possible that the issue could get tabled until a later date, but we’ll hope not.

 

Council Discussion

Tonight city council will discuss whether to put the urban hen ordinance on the agenda for next month!!!!!!!!!

Hope, pray, whatever you do that it gets voted to the agenda.  We could get a debate/vote by the second meeting in January.

Woohoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Columbia Access Television!

Thank you so much Scott Wilson!

The video will be on all month long.  Catch us on the web at these times/dates:

12/1/2009 at 10:00 PM
12/3/2009 at 8:00 AM
12/3/2009 at 10:00 PM
12/5/2009 at 9:00 AM
12/5/2009 at 10:00 PM
12/8/2009 at 8:00 AM
12/8/2009 at 10:00 PM
12/10/2009 at 8:00 AM
12/10/2009 at 10:00 PM
12/12/2009 at 9:00 AM
12/12/2009 at 10:00 PM
12/15/2009 at 8:00 AM
12/15/2009 at 10:00 PM
12/17/2009 at 8:00 AM
12/17/2009 at 10:00 PM
12/19/2009 at 9:00 AM
12/19/2009 at 10:00 PM
12/22/2009 at 8:00 AM
12/22/2009 at 10:00 PM
12/24/2009 at 8:00 AM
12/24/2009 at 10:00 PM
12/26/2009 at 9:00 AM
12/26/2009 at 10:00 PM