Happy New Year backyard hen community. Wishing you a blessed, safe and joy filled 2023. One thing that we are going to do in 2023 is petition the city to follow through with the amendment of the R1 Zone ordinance to allow for backyard hens. With the newly elected council members: Eric Arias, Ward 1 and Manpreet Kaur, Ward 7, along with returning Councilmen Gonzales and Smith, we might have regained the majority vote that originally approved backyard hen ownership.
Here are a few things to know and do. Without your active participation government will not change. Be part of this and help to make Bakersfield hen friendly.
Show up to one of the next several city council meetings and make a public statement in support of backyard hens. The upcoming city council meetings are as follows: January 11th, January 25th, February 8th, February 22, March 8th and March 22nd (all Wednesdays). These meetings begin at 5:15 PM. Public comment may be made. You fill out a speaker's card and have two minutes to share on a topic. For the subject matter write, "Support Backyard Hens". You do not need to be fancy or impressive. You can be if you like. Just show up and make a statement in support of backyard hens. Feel free to let me know if you plan on attending. Contact me if you want advice or support. Bring family and friends. Each individual may speak; even children.
Write Councilwoman Manpreet Kaur, Ward 7 and Councilman Eric Arias, Ward 1 an email at City_Council@bakersfieldcity.us Write their name in the subject line. Congratulate them on their recent election to the city council and let them know that you support backyard hens and hope that they do also. You do not need to be in their Ward to do this. I wrote my emails already.
Write an editorial to the paper. https://www.bakersfield.com/site/forms/online_services/letter_editor/ I submitted the following editorial this afternoon. If it gets published, let me know.
"Friends know I’m enthusiastic about chickens. The joke in my home is how most families have a “swear” jar; I have a “backyard hen talk” jar. I put a quarter in every time I talk about chickens. The other day a new friend, who supports backyard hens, asked me to share my reasons to own backyard hens. Here is a condensed version of my answer:
1. Great Pets - Hens are social and affectionate pets. They are inexpensive and easy to care for. They are intelligent. They provide endless entertainment. Watching hens is known as “Chicken TV”. Observing a hen eat a bug or lay an egg are memories that children won't forget.
2. Less Waste - We all have leftover kitchen scraps. Instead of throwing them in the trash you can feed them to your hens. Hens are omnivores and can eat just about anything.
3. Fresh eggs - Once you have had fresh eggs there is no going back. The yolks are darker, stand up taller and are more nutritious than store bought eggs.
4. Local Food - Most food travels an average of 1,500 miles to get to our plates. It is refreshing to be able to eat something that only travels a few yards. No supply chain issues. And cheaper, have you seen the price of grocery store eggs recently?
Our newly elected city council members should support backyard hens. Raising hens is a family activity that enhances the quality of life for Bakersfield residents."
Thank you for being a backyard hen supporter. Hopefully you will be active and engage with our local government to get them to amend the current ordinance to allow for backyard hens. Please be active and participate in the suggestions that I have shared. This cannot happen without your efforts. This can happen with them.
Happy New Year backyard hen community!