Happy Eggs » Chickens and the Law

A Sad, Sad Day for Nashville Chickens

admin — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 02:08:48 +0000

The bill to make backyard chickens legal was voted down by the city council this evening. 15 voted for, 2 abstained, 20 voted against. The bill can be reintroduced in 6 months.

So, I may need to take someone up on the many kind offers to foster the girls. Alternatively, I can live a life of crime and keep my illegal flock. This is unfamiliar territory for me, law-abiding citizen that I am. Who polices the chickens? Will I be fined? Will I go to jail? And, how do you broach the subject?
(”So person so-and-so in authority, if I did theoretically decide to break the law and keep chickens, what would happen to me?”)

Metro Planning Commission Approves Plan to Drop Nashville’s Poultry Prohibition

admin — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 15:39:35 +0000

So, I am getting ready for the metro planning commission meeting when my friend pops her head into my room and says, “there’s a man at the door.” I screech “a maa-aaaan!” (What movie is that from? I think it’s yelled by an old hag but I can’t quite remember). Anyway, there is Sky Arnold and his camera guy Steve. They wanted to shoot some video of the gals! For the record, I don’t normally wear patent leather shoes and a dress in the chicken coop, but I was getting ready for the meeting. You can see the story on Fox 17’s website.

Anyway, the big, wonderful news is: Metro Planning Commission Approves Plan to Drop Nashville’s Poultry Prohibition. The plan still needs approval from Metro Council, but I am feeling pretty confident that this will pass. I was shocked at how many other illegal chicken owners and their neighborhood supporters showed up last night. Kudos!

The Chicken ‘Underground’ Emerges

admin — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 21:10:01 +0000

Now Indiana has caught the chicken bug! Here’s hoping that residents are allowed to keep their backyard flocks. You can read more here: ‘Chicken underground’ emerges in Indiana

I was most interested in the “stealth chicken coop” concept. Apparently people are making coops that look like garbage cans to circumvent the law. I’d rather change the law so I can get a hot pick eglu!

Our Chickens Featured in the Tennessean!

admin — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 13:35:58 +0000

From Today's Tennessean

Jenny Upchurch from the Tennessean wrote an article titled: Urban chicken coops spark Nashville zoning conflict.

I am worried that our beautiful hens will have to go, but on the other hand, someone had to advocate for them!

Georgia Woman Fights to Keep Her Pet Chickens

admin — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 19:27:54 +0000

A mother’s quest to feed her kids healthier food is causing controversy in Fulton County. CBS Atlanta’s Joanna Massee reports.

Ordinance would prohibit keeping chickens in Metro

admin — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 19:17:39 +0000

It’s time to get politically active. There is pending legislation to make chickens illegal in Nashville Metro.

Here’s the story in the Tennessean: http://kl.am/1lAM

Here’s info on the ordinance: http://kl.am/1lAT

We need to get a group together to attend the next council meeting, July 21st, 6:30 p.m. at Council Chamber at the Metropolitan Courthouse. I am gathering more information about what we can do to oppose this legislation. Please let me know if you can attend the meeting with me and/or help oppose this.

Legality of Poultry Keeping in Davidson County

admin — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 14:19:44 +0000

Our cool neighbors, while excited about the chicken project, were worried that I was breaking a law. But, lookie here!

“8.12.020 Keeping of chickens.

No person shall keep chickens within the metropolitan government area in such a manner that a nuisance is created.

(Prior code § 8-1-1)”

Referenced from here.

So, as long as we don’t have roosters, we should be good.

I will post pictures of the coop in progress tomorrow.