Chicken Debate Sent to Henhouse/Committee

The University Park City Council sent the backyard chicken debate to committee Tuesday night, telling a standing-room only crowd that they needed more time to consider the issue.

Supporters of the chickens have asked that the city change its code of ordinances to allow for backyard hens, not roosters or other fowl. The council did not specify which committee the discussion would be sent to.

For more information, see Friday’s Park Cities People.

By Bradford Pearson Oct. 19, 2011 | 9:20 am | 10 Comments | Comments RSS
10 comments to "Chicken Debate Sent to Henhouse/Committee"
  1. sls @ October 19, 2011 at 5:22 pm
    Exposure to the protein in the feathers of birds can be very dangerous. I have been sick with this for nearly three years after exposure to birds at my brother’s. City of UP, please maintain the current ban on chickens.

    http://www.merckmanuals.com/home/lung_and_airway_disorders/allergic_and_autoimmune_diseases_of_the_lungs/hypersensitivity_pneumonitis.html

  2. bm @ October 19, 2011 at 6:03 pm
    Fowl Committe! The city has more committees than any other city.

  3. Zoe @ October 20, 2011 at 8:09 pm
    @sis
    Did your brother have parrots or some other kind of indoor birds? Unless you plan on spending a lot of time in your neighbor’s chicken coop, they pose about as much danger as the ducks at Lakeside. (They’re ok, right?) I grew up getting allergy shots, sitting out of hayrides, and decorating my inhalers, so I totally understand the need to keep your environment as irritant-free as possible. I can tell you from experience that you have nothing to worry about, especially since I doubt this will become a trend.

  4. Super Chicken @ October 21, 2011 at 4:55 pm
    @sls – I’m sorry you got sick from your brother’s birds, but I’m puzzled why your misfortune trumps everyone else. By the way, your link also lists air conditioners as a cause of lung problems. Should the City Council ban those too — you know, just in case?

  5. Sam Tamborello @ October 23, 2011 at 11:07 am
    This may be one of my favorite blogs. I’m not sure if you all have already realized this, but there are thousands of wild birds and animals in the Park Cities that live in our treas and landscaping.

    Blue birds, red birds, hawks, sparrows, mockingbirds, pigeons, crows, coyotes, possum, snakes, to name a few…

    How could a chicken possibly hurt, gee whiz. Have you ever heard a flock of blue birds in your back yard, well they are pretty loud and get louder. I don’t mind, they are simply a beautiful gift from God, and birds are welcome in my lawn anytime.

    I think the problem may arise if several chickens start to appear and it gets out of control. Let these folks enjoy their private property as so many claim to protect in Park Cities.

    And by the way, I would rather have a few hens living next door to me than some of these structures being built today that are permanent.

  6. Sam Tamborello @ October 23, 2011 at 11:12 am
    Sorry….correction… “trees”

  7. Asplundh Hater @ October 25, 2011 at 10:43 am
    Sam:
    I’m guessing you meant “lived” in our trees. I hate to digress on such an important topic, but after the tree experts hired by ONCOR get through butchering our trees anything that lives in one will have to relocate.

  8. Park Cities Pet Sitter, Inc. @ October 25, 2011 at 12:52 pm
    We are a professional in home pet care organization. We have many clients all over Dallas with chickens. Oak Cliff, Preston Hollow, Lakewood, Oaklawn, pretty much everywhere but the Park Cities. Our fees are based on the number of pets we are watching, for caged pets we charge by the cage, ie: 2 parakeets in one cage = 1 pet, 3 bunnies in one hutch = 1 pet. We find caring for small flocks of city chickens easy enough that we usually charge a small flock as one pet. Our sitters love caring for the chickens, it’s an easy job and they are so funny and entertaining! I speak for everyone here, including our sitters that work in the Park Cities area; we truly hope that the “fowl commitee” rules in favor of allowing chickens as pets. We look forward to caring for the future Park Cities flocks!

  9. Sam Tamborello @ October 25, 2011 at 1:52 pm
    Anytime trees are chopped on as they have been in the past are a significant concern to me. Believe me, I’ve seen some horrific tree cutting, in the Park Cities and elsewhere.

    Power lines and trees can cause issues, and I hope that better communication, if not already put in place, follows any tree cutting campaign.

    Your not digressing, but probably are expressing what many others feel too. I can make this promise, if I am ever elected as a councilmember in Highland Park, I will be watching such tree cutting activities!

    With regards to the chickens again, I would hope the council in UP will simply let these folks have a few chickens. I think here in Highland Park, you are allowed a maximum of three dogs and three cats per city code. How can a few chickens hurt?

  10. Sam Tamborello @ January 6, 2012 at 7:02 pm
    Mayor Seay,

    ONCOR was over my way yesterday and today mutilating trees in the alley. I really appreciated the threats and their aggressive attitude. No one from ONCORE could produce any information when asked and calls were not returned by ONCORE’s executive office.

    Don’t you think it’s time HP takes some action? or do you still believe to turn the other way? Thanks so much.

Leave a Reply