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!

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!

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!

My favorite chicken breed is the Light Brahma.  They are an Asiatic breed originating in Brahmaputra, India. They were first brought to the US in the late 1800s. Charlotte, one of my all-time favorite pets, greeted me by jumping up on my shoulders. If I was leaning over, she would jump on my head or back. A chicken can theoretically live 20+ years; Charlotte made it to 5, which is quite good for a chicken.

Our friend Tim Moses brought his daughter to meet our Brahmas at the old house.

Brahmas are extremely gentle. Ours seem only mildly annoyed when our 5-year-old chases them around the yard. When she does manage to grab an unsuspecting hen, the bird will sit quietly until the petting session is over.

The American Poultry Association publishes the American Standard of Perfection. The AMA recognizes three varieties of brahma:  light, buff and dark. We have light and dark. Our hens will weight 8 – 10 pounds when full-grown. When they are a about 5 months old they will lay large brown eggs. We can expect about 140 eggs per bird, per year.  You can tell a Brahma by its yellow skin and pea comb. They have small wattles and feathered feet and toes. Their size and feathers make them hardy in cold weather — winter can be chilly in Nashville and as long as they have water they will do just fine.

Jessica, pictured below behind the white crested black polish, is my new favorite. She’s in her “awkward teenage” stage of development. You can see her plumage starting to fill out, but she’ll be even prettier in a few months.

Jessica, standing behind Crowded Place

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