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Pet Chicken Workshops
updated: Jan 22, 2013, 11:38 AM

Does anyone teach workshops on keeping backyard chickens in the city? I read about Ms. Foreman and the Permaculture group, but I don't see a schedule showing whether she will teach again on their site. Maybe someone else offers a class?

Places People Are Talking About:

Fairview Gardens

What People Are Saying:

COMMENT 366121	2013-01-22 11:45 AM
Yes, Fairview Gardens offers classes.
COMMENT 366123	2013-01-22 11:47 AM
First and foremost you need a strong, well built chicken coop. The birds must be brought in at night to roost and for protection against predation. You can't blame the wildlife that come calling for their supper if you leave food out at night. Aside from that you can learn all you need about raising chickens from the local feed store. Good luck.
COMMENT 366146	2013-01-22 12:19 PM
Patricia Foreman was presented here last year by the Santa Barbara Permaculture Network as part of her national book tour. Contact the Santa Barbara Permaculture Network via its website sbpermaculture dot org for future dates of programs like that they may be planning to present and let them know you have interest in the topic. There is a lot to learn on raising chickens. Also, Carpinteria Main School has the biggest SB-area 4H chapter and Foothill School also has a 4H chapter. I do not know how the 4H methods compare to permaculture methods.
COMMENT 366155P	2013-01-22 12:41 PM
@123. Great comment. Often, people ask why I don't keep chickens. My standard reply is: "Chickens are a prey species." In other words, good luck protecting them from not only the hungry wildlife, but also wandering dogs and even prey-driven cats. My pet duck was dragged off by a dog that came 1/2 way across town to find her and kill her (daytime). I had nightmares for years. That said, I think anyone who wants to keep chickens is to be admired. Thank you, OP, for keeping the little ladies safe and happy. Best of luck to you.
COMMENT 366163P	2013-01-22 12:51 PM
OP, there is more info in the referral secion of Edhat at: http://www.edhat.com/site/tidbit.cfm?nid=75665
COMMENT 366216	2013-01-22 02:38 PM
Chickens are great to have, just remember you are not only attracting predators, but rodents as well. They love all the free food being tossed in those coops.
TWOBITS	2013-01-22 06:06 PM
I will.
COMMENT 366391	2013-01-22 07:17 PM
OP here, thanks for all the good answers, and I am so happy nobody snarked me! Yes, 123, I am pretty obsessive about my little loved ones (currently three dogs), so my chickens will have the...Cadillac? or should I say...Range Rover of accommodations and security, with retinal scans and password encryption security to even get to look at them!
COMMENT 366394	2013-01-22 07:27 PM
I had a few chickens within SB's city limits a few years ago, and my neighbor got really ugly about it. Be advised: Chickens make noise.
COMMENT 366437	2013-01-22 08:55 PM
If your neighbors have dogs or cats get ready for the drama
COMMENT 366448P	2013-01-22 09:40 PM
EddieKD, please also inform yourself of the laws regarding keeping chickens, if the class doesn't include that. There are minimum distances to neighboring houses and other considerations that you should be aware of. And having kindness towards your neighbors insofar as noise would also be a wonderful thing to take into account if you don't live on a larger property.
COMMENT 366460P	2013-01-22 11:49 PM
OP here; I already ran the idea by my neighbors on both sides. One is 82 and grew up on a farm and has told me she is ecstatic about fresh eggs. The other neighbor is looking forward to trading avocados from his tree for eggs. We are copacetic bunch.
COMMENT 366468P	2013-01-23 02:15 AM
Chickens noisy? I'd rather have 50 chickens next door to me, instead of the screaming, yowling brats that live next to me now. What a world we live in, where chickens and dogs are considered "noisy" and a "nuisance," and yet peoples' kids can holler and screech for hours on end----but you'd better not say anything! No equivalent of Animal Control to help, either. (And don't get me wrong; I am NOT talking about kids playing and having fun. I'm talking about kids ranting and raving like they were just let loose from the asylum.) Plus, chickens give eggs. And dogs provide security. I rest my case.
COMMENT 366473	2013-01-23 06:53 AM
We have 5 city birds and use a standard dog kennel with a tarped top as their coop. In 2 years we've had no problem. We also have dogs though. Inside the coop is their roosting box. Chickens are great, no rooster, little noise. All manner of small wildlife including rats like their food. You cannot be a cum-bi-ya progressivist about this kind of thing, stuff happens and you have to deal with it pragmatically. Be the farmer, and have fun. Life comes and goes on the farm.
COMMENT 366481	2013-01-23 07:17 AM
Isn't there a book called "Backyard Chickens for Dummies"?
SEEDLADY	2013-01-23 08:07 AM
if you let the gals roam your yard, try to do so when you are there as well. You can train them to return by tossing some greens or veggie waste into their coop. If you can find a copy at a used bookstore, the 70's return-to-the-land bible, "Grow It!" is full of common sense chicken keeping, from egg to table. It advocates a "deep litter" husbandry in the coop, for zero smell, zero flying insects, etc which neighbors and you could find objectionable. It's a real gem. The people at Island Seed & Feed are full of helpful advice and you can even get organic hen feeds there. Books, too.
SEEDLADY	2013-01-23 08:09 AM
P.S.: there is a Seed Exchange this weekend at the Library, there will be all kinds of other backyard and kitchen activity sessions, too. Hye thee there to get the scoop! Bring seeds or plant divisions to share, if you can!
COMMENT 366502P	2013-01-23 08:12 AM
Sunday's Seed Exchange info: http://www.edhat.com/site/tidbit.cfm?id=1476&nid=106541
COMMENT 366537	2013-01-23 09:54 AM
I just checked out Patricia Foreman's book, City Chicks from the public library. It is a gold mine of information.