Raising Welsh Harlequin Ducklings- Week 10 The Duck Run - Free Ranging Ducks

DOUG'S DUCKS

Raising Welsh Harlequin Ducklings- Week 10 The Duck Run- Free Ranging Ducks

Raising Welsh Harlequin Ducklings

On March 3, 2014 my Welsh Harlequin Ducklings hatched at Metzer Farms and arrived at my house on March 5, 2014. To view the Raising Welsh Harlequin Ducklings from the start- Arrival Day Click Here

Over the last threw weeks a few things have taken place.  First I was given some Easter Egg Chicken Hens from my friend and colleague Professor Magnus Thorson. They are about 6 weeks older than my ducks so they are just a few weeks away from laying their first blueish greenish eggs.

Second I have built a duck run so that the ducks and chickens have an enclosed space that I can let them enjoy the outdoors when I am not letting them free range.  I am still deciding if I am going to cover the run to protect from overhead predators such as hawks and eagles as I do see several of them flying around my homestead.

The run is approximately 65 feet in length, as you will see it is odd shaped to accommodate the space and terrain.  I used welded wire fencing and fence posts in the construction.  

Finally and most exciting of all, here is a video of the ducks leaving the house and heading to the water,  Watch as they stretch their wings and fly in excitement to go swimming.  Ducks may be messy but they are definitely fun to watch, 

Raising Welsh Harlequin Ducks- Week 7- Moving Day

DOUG'S DUCKS 

Raising Welsh Harlequin Ducks- Week 7- Moving Day

Raising Welsh Harlequin Ducklings

On March 3, 2014 my Welsh Harlequin Ducklings hatched at Metzer Farms and arrived at my house on March 5, 2014. To view the Raising Welsh Harlequin Ducklings from the start- Arrival Day Click Here

Today is April 21, 2014 and the ducks are now seven weeks old.

For the past six weeks the ducks have lived in my garage, and I must admit that I am happy to see them go into the duck house.  The ducks seem happy about the move as well.

Approximate dimensions of the duck house:

10' high in the front

6' high in the back.  

The rest of the structure is 8' x8'

Approximate cost to build the duck house $1100.00:

Almost all building supplies were purchased at Lowes

The following are some pictures of the finished duck house.

THE FRONT- FACING WEST

THE BACK- FACING EAST

ON THE RIGHT IS THE WATER PORCH

THE WATER PORCH -INSIDE VIEW

THE WATER PORCH HELPS KEEP THE INSIDE DRY. AS THE WATER SITS ON HARDWARE CLOTH

SOUTH FACING SIDE

NORTH FACING SIDE

PEEKING INSIDE FROM THE OUTSIDE

Phase two- the duck run-  Stay Tuned

The urban chicken roost movement hits Rhode Island - This Just In

Providence Phoenix article where I am quoted in about the Urban Chicken Movement
The urban chicken roost movement hits Rhode Island - This Just In

The urban chicken roost movement hits Rhode Island

Good Eggs

By JOHN LARRABEE  |  November 21, 2012

Ernest and Linda Lambert, retirees living in a shaded suburban cul-de-sac just off Woonsocket's Mendon Road, have an unusual backyard project.

There, in a series of plywood coop houses, sit more than three dozen chickens — Rhode Island Reds, Guinea Hens, and other pedestrian breeds. And some that are more exotic, like Araucana, known for their turquoise eggs, and Silkies, covered with fluffy plumage to the tips of their toes.

A wire fence surrounds the hen house, but during the day the gate is open and the birds run about the yard. They've scratched small pits into the earth where they sit and rub their feathers in the dust, a behavior said to ward off mites. They also pursue any squirrel that tries to mooch some feed.

Linda collects 10 or 12 eggs a day. "They taste better than the ones you get in a supermarket," she says. "Buy them in a store, and you have no idea how old they are."

As it turns out, breakfast eggs that fresh can be a rarity, in Rhode Island and elsewhere. The Lamberts' flock is tolerated in Woonsocket only because their coop is older than a zoning ordinance that bans farm livestock from the city. Other families in the old mill town have been ordered to bid their birds goodbye. Many communities in America's urbanized areas — yes, the Blue States — have similar laws, adopted in an age when anything that smacked of Old MacDonald was viewed as a dirty, stinky nuisance.

But these days a revolution's brewing. Foodies and locavores across the country are pushing to end local restrictions, and a half dozen websites now advise urbanites on how to raise "pets with benefits." The argument: backyard eggs are cheaper, tastier, and healthier, with higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids. Sustainability is an issue, too. Grow your own and you eliminate the energy consumption and carbon emissions that go with transporting food. What's more, chicken shit is a great fertilizer for your organic garden plot.

In just a few years grassroots activists have overturned ordinances in more than 30 major cities, including Los Angeles, Houston, Ann Arbor, Madison, and Missoula. They've gained ground in the Ocean State, too. Providence, West Warwick, and even snooty Barrington have all revised their laws, allowing residents to keep hens in limited numbers, so long as there are no crowing roosters in their coops. And in Cranston and Warwick, city council members are now reviewing proposed changes.

"It's definitely a national movement, and I think the Internet has a lot to do with it," says Douglas Stuchel, a professional chef who now teaches at the Hospitality College at Johnson & Wales University. "People can research and learn how agriculture has become big business. They know it's not simply about feeding the world."

Stuchel has taken up the banner himself. He's constructing a coop behind his West Warwick home where he plans to keep some Rhode Island Reds. "As a chef, I know the food your raise yourself is better," he says. "Pesticides are one concern, but taste is an issue, too."

Chicken fancier Sam Abram believes snobbery fuels anti-avian sentiments in some Rhode Island suburbs. The real estate manager raised hens while living in New Hampshire and never heard any complaints. Shortly after he moved to Barrington, he built a backyard hen house. A few days later an animal control officer told him it had to go.

He fought back, lobbying town officials to change the law. Today residents are allowed to keep up to six hens, and the town has a dozen coops. Abram says he's won over some neighbors by sharing eggs and letting their kids visit and observe his flock. "I guess some people thought Barrington would be less elite with chickens," he says. "One member of the zoning board told me it would change the character of the town."

The movement has some opposition. Sanitation is a common concern: manure piles can stink, and rats are attracted to food scraps left for hens. Critics also fret some newbie chicken enthusiasts will neglect their animals once the novelty wears off. In a recent Slate article, vegan journalist James McWilliams ridiculed urbanites who raise chickens as naive hipsters looking for a bandwagon to climb aboard. He emphasized the point by posting an audio file of a bleating goat; the animal was dying, sickened after eating something careless left around by a wannabe urban farmer.

Back in Woonsocket, the Lamberts are largely unaware of the national debate. They began raising hens almost two decades ago, when their children were young and there was nothing trendy about homegrown eggs. Today they enjoy their pets chiefly for the entertainment they provide.

"It's a great hobby," Ernest says. "But not in this city. There's a law against it on the books. We happen to be grandfathered."

Read more: http://providence.thephoenix.com/news/147912-urban-chicken-roost-movement-hits-rhode-island/#ixzz2DfHeZHKv

Now Legal to Raise Chickens (hens) in West Warwick, RI

Urban Chickens - THE VOTE

TOWN OF WEST WARWICK

TOWN COUNCIL MEETING

DATE: TUESDAY, JULY 17, 2012

PLACE: TOWN COUNCIL CHAMBER

1170 MAIN STREET, WEST WARWICK, RI 02893

Tonight the West Warwick Town Council voted and passed ORDINANCE NO. 2012- 6,

 

It is now legal to raise chickens (hens) in West Warwick, RI if you abide by the following:

 

TOWN OF WEST WARWICK ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN COUNCIL ORDINANCE NO.

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SEC. 4-24 ABATEMENT OF NUISANCE ANIMALS AND CONDITIONS, ADDING SEC. 4-24.1 KEEPING OF HENS AND AMENDING SEC. 4-34 KENNEL LICENCE OF THE WEST WARWICK CODE OF ORDINANCES.
WHEREAS: There has been shown an interest by the residents of the Town to raise hens for the personal consumption of home grown hens and the production for personal use of eggs from such hens, and

WHEREAS: The Town Council is desirous of enabling such endeavors but doing so in a manner that will be in the best interests of the Town and will have no adverse affect on the surrounding neighborhood, and

WHEREAS: The Town Council had been made aware of an error in the provisions for the issuing of kennel licenses and now desires to correct such error, Town Council

NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY ORDAINED that the Town Council of the Town of West Warwick hereby that the West Warwick Code of Ordinance shall be amended as follows:

Sec. 4-24. Abatement of nuisance animals and conditions shall be amended,

Sec. 4-24.1. Keeping of hens and shall be added, and

Sec. 4-34. Kennel license shall be amended as follows:

Sec. 4-24. Abatement of nuisance animals and conditions.

(b) In addition to those animals prohibited by Rhode Island General Law, the keeping of specific creatures is designated as a public nuisance: fowl, poultry except hens as hereinafter provided for in Sec. 4-24.1 hereof, rabbits, pigeons, poisonous snakes, pigs, minks and any similar species which carry or may carry and spread diseases or otherwise may be considered unsanitary or present a nuisance or hazard to the general public, except for the following:

(1) Pet stores that are in compliance with all applicable local ordinances and state laws;

(2) Agricultural enterprises that are in compliance with all applicable local ordinance and state laws;

(3) Research facilities that are in compliance with all applicable local ordinance and state laws;

(4) Creatures kept by special permit approved by the town council, with conditions as established by the town council;

(5) Rabbits and pigeons for personal enjoyment and/or use.

Sec. 4-24.1. Keeping of hens.

(a) The keeping of hens shall be subject to the following restrictions and regulations:

(1) The keeping of hens shall be permitted in Residential Districts only and shall be on a lot containing a dwelling in which dwelling the owner of the hens must be a resident.

(2) There shall be no more than 12 hens per lot.

(3) The keeping of any roosters is prohibited.

(4) All hens must be provided with both a hen house and a fenced outdoor enclosure subject to the following conditions, restrictions and regulations:

a. The hen house must be covered, predator resistant and well ventilated.

b. The hen house must provide a minimum of two (2) square feet per hen.

c. The hen house must be kept clean, dry and sanitary at all times.

d. The hen house must be located on a permeable surface that prevents waste run-off.

e. The hen house must provide the hens with adequate protection from the elements and inclement weather and provide for the hens good health and prevent any unnecessary or unjustified suffering.

f. The enclosure fence must adequately contain the hens and provide security from intrusion by any predators or animals, wild or domesticated.

g. The fenced enclosure must be kept clean and sanitary at all times.

h. All manure must be composted in enclosed bins.

i. No food shall be placed in the open for the feeding of the hens except in such containers as will prevent the scattering of such food upon the ground.

(b) All hens shall be subject to the nuisance provisions of Sec. 4-24 of the West Warwick Code of Ordinances and must be confined in the hen house between the hours of 9:00 pm and 8:00 am.

Sec. 4-34. Kennel license.

(a) Required. No person shall operate a kennel as defined herein, without first obtaining a license to operate said establishment by the state director of environmental management, as provided in §4-19-6 of the Rhode Island General Laws; and obtaining a license to operate said establishment as issues by the town council.

(b) Kennel permitted. No license shall be issued by the town council, director of environmental management to operate a kennel on premises other than those designated by the zoning ordinances.

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SEC. 4-24 ABATEMENT OF NUISANCE ANIMALS AND CONDITIONS, ADDING SEC. 4-24.1 KEEPING OF HENS AND AMENDING SEC. 4-34

Until I blog again: Eat Well, Live Life and Be Safe

Urban Chickens - First Reading at Town Council

TOWN OF WEST WARWICK

TOWN COUNCIL MEETING

DATE: TUESDAY, JUNE 19, 2012

PLACE: TOWN COUNCIL CHAMBER

1170 MAIN STREET, WEST WARWICK, RI 02893

Tonight the West Warwick Town Council had their first reading of ORDINANCE NO. 2012- 6.  This is the ordinance that we need changed in order for the residents of West Warwick to legally raises urban chickens for the purposes of fresh eggs.

Here is the proposal that was voted on and passed the first reading tonight.  In two weeks we will have the second reading and the ordinance is expected to pass.

TOWN OF WEST WARWICK ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN COUNCIL ORDINANCE NO.

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SEC. 4-24 ABATEMENT OF NUISANCE ANIMALS AND CONDITIONS, ADDING SEC. 4-24.1 KEEPING OF HENS AND AMENDING SEC. 4-34 KENNEL LICENCE OF THE WEST WARWICK CODE OF ORDINANCES.
WHEREAS: There has been shown an interest by the residents of the Town to raise hens for the personal consumption of home grown hens and the production for personal use of eggs from such hens, and

WHEREAS: The Town Council is desirous of enabling such endeavors but doing so in a manner that will be in the best interests of the Town and will have no adverse affect on the surrounding neighborhood, and

WHEREAS: The Town Council had been made aware of an error in the provisions for the issuing of kennel licenses and now desires to correct such error, Town Council

NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY ORDAINED that the Town Council of the Town of West Warwick hereby that the West Warwick Code of Ordinance shall be amended as follows:

         Sec. 4-24. Abatement of nuisance animals and conditions shall be amended,

         Sec. 4-24.1. Keeping of hens and shall be added, and

         Sec. 4-34. Kennel license shall be amended as follows:

         Sec. 4-24. Abatement of nuisance animals and conditions.

       
(b) In addition to those animals prohibited by Rhode Island General Law, the keeping of specific creatures is designated as a public nuisance: fowl, poultry except hens as hereinafter provided for in Sec. 4-24.1 hereof, rabbits, pigeons, poisonous snakes, pigs, minks and any similar species which carry or may carry and spread diseases or otherwise may be considered unsanitary or present a nuisance or hazard to the general public, except for the following:

(1) Pet stores that are in compliance with all applicable local ordinances and state laws;

(2) Agricultural enterprises that are in compliance with all applicable local ordinance and   state laws;

(3) Research facilities that are in compliance with all applicable local ordinance and state laws;

(4) Creatures kept by special permit approved by the town council, with conditions as established by the town council;

(5) Rabbits and pigeons for personal enjoyment and/or use.

Sec. 4-24.1. Keeping of hens.

 (a) The keeping of hens shall be subject to the following restrictions and regulations:

(1) The keeping of hens shall be permitted in Residential Districts only and shall be on a lot containing a dwelling in which dwelling the owner of the hens must be a resident.

(2) There shall be no more than 12 hens per lot.

(3) The keeping of any roosters is prohibited.

(4) All hens must be provided with both a hen house and a fenced outdoor enclosure subject to the following conditions, restrictions and regulations:

a. The hen house must be covered, predator resistant and well ventilated.

b. The hen house must provide a minimum of two (2) square feet per hen.

c. The hen house must be kept clean, dry and sanitary at all times.

d. The hen house must be located on a permeable surface that prevents waste run-off.

e. The hen house must provide the hens with adequate protection from the elements and inclement weather and provide for the hens good health and prevent any unnecessary or unjustified suffering.

f. The enclosure fence must adequately contain the hens and provide security from intrusion by any predators or animals, wild or domesticated.

g. The fenced enclosure must be kept clean and sanitary at all times.

h. All manure must be composted in enclosed bins.

i. No food shall be placed in the open for the feeding of the hens except in such containers as will prevent the scattering of such food upon the ground.

(b) All hens shall be subject to the nuisance provisions of Sec. 4-24 of the West Warwick Code of Ordinances and must be confined in the hen house between the hours of 9:00 pm and 8:00 am.

Sec. 4-34. Kennel license.

(a) Required. No person shall operate a kennel as defined herein, without first obtaining a license to operate said establishment by the state director of environmental management, as provided in §4-19-6 of the Rhode Island General Laws; and obtaining a license to operate said establishment as issues by the town council.

(b) Kennel permitted. No license shall be issued by the town council, director of environmental management to operate a kennel on premises other than those designated by the zoning ordinances.

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SEC. 4-24 ABATEMENT OF NUISANCE ANIMALS AND CONDITIONS, ADDING SEC. 4-24.1 KEEPING OF HENS AND AMENDING SEC. 4-34

Until I blog again:  Eat Well, Live Life and Be Safe