Nov. 20th

The times they are a changin’. (props to Bob Dylan)  A couple of chicken stories have recently come to my attention that cover the current trend for backyard chicken-keeping.  One story, very close to home, highlights the newly formed club, The Auburn Cluckers.  The City Council of Auburn recently approved an ordinance that allows urban chicken keeping within certain guidelines.  I quote a few lines from the news article here:

Passage of the Urban Chicken Ordinance by the City Council has led to the formation of “Auburn Cluckers,” a group to support and advise people seeking to raise chickens at home.  The new club, which promotes the keeping of chickens in urban Auburn, met recently to compare notes and learn more about the hobby. The ordinance was passed after a group of citizens pushed for its passage…The keeping of chickens in urban settings has become popular because of a nationwide movement of sustainability and “green” living. Raising chickens allows for fresh eggs and garden fertilizer, as well as helping children understand food sources and providing alternative pets for those with allergies.

For the entire article and a nice picture of the club members go here:

http://blog.al.com/montgomery/2011/10/auburn_cluckers_encourages_res.html

A bit farther away, but still in our home state is another tale of Chicken Championing that drew a lot of local press.  A woman in Homewood, Alabama (suburb of Birmingham) was fighting for her right to keep a small flock of chickens in her backyard. 

Homewood allows urban chickens but her flock did not strictly adhere to the guidelines of the ordinance and her birds were in danger of being forcibly relocated.  The story grew legs and turned into a movement which gained the name FREE THE HOMEWOOD SEVEN!  For more go here:

http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2010/07/homewood_chickens.html

She was aided in her struggle by the group C.L.U.C.K., Citizens for the Legalization of Urban Chicken Keeping. (GREATEST ACRONYM EVER!)

But I think my favorite story of all concerns the exploits of a dashing young cock named Carl who has enchanted the residents of Ocean Springs, Mississippi with his friendly charm and swaggering good looks. 

It seems that Carl regularly visits a local eatery in town and is welcomed by diners and fans who offer him treats from their plates. 

He also favors the famous local treat, the TATO NUT  (Worth the trip to Ocean Springs just for a taste).  For the full story go here:

http://oceansprings.wlox.com/news/news/52423-carl-rooster-has-many-fans-ocean-springs#.TscWyY-CJsY.facebook

Carl has his own FB page http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100003181093150  and over 500 friends (I am one).  Daisy, Rosie & Violet regularly post on his page and offer their support and admit to a bit of a crush on this Ravishing Rooster. 

I am tempted give my flock a cause-worthy name as well.   Jim, however, says the Pike Road Peckers is an inappropriate  moniker.  I’m sure he has his reasons.  For now the girls shall remain afowl of the law here in Pike Road.  A cuter pack of outlaws there never was.