Purina announces Facebook contest to win chickens, feed

Purina and P. Allen Smith are sponsoring the Rule the Roost Sweepstakes, giving contestants the chance to win a free chicken coup, chicken flock and year's supply of feed.
Contestants can enter the Rule the Roost Sweepstakes by "liking" Purina Poultry and Chicken Chat on Facebook, and filling out a contest entry form. The grand prize winner will receive a Horizon Structures chicken coop, heritage flock from P. Allen Smith’s farm and Purina Layena Plus Omega feed for a year. First place prizes include a signed copy of P. Allen Smith’s book, “Seasonal Recipes from the Garden,” and a free bag of Purina Layena Plus Omega-3 feed. All entries will receive a $3 off coupon for Purina Layena Plus Omega-3 feed.
The Purina Rule the Roost Sweepstakes ends September 18, and prizes will be awarded by September 30. For more information, visit Purina Poultry's Facebook page.

Why do you raise chickens?

I raise chickens because I like being self-sufficient and enjoy the many benefits of fresh eggs. The eggs from my backyard are fresher than anything I can get in a store, and they're more nutritious, too!
It is important to me to know where my food comes from, how it is cared for, and what is in it. My backyard chickens are as free range and organic as I can let them be, eating only things chickens should eat like bugs, worms, whole grains and whatever else they can chase down or scratch out of the earth. Read the full blog on www.poultrytribune.com.

Pet chicken owner, falconer clash

The upsurge in urban chicken populations occasioned by relaxation of city ordinances to allow small egg production flocks has resulted in cases of predation. In a recent incident, a resident of Cary, N.C., complained when a red-tailed hawk, exercised by a falconer, supplemented its usual diet of rodents with a young rooster snatched from a backyard.
The news report, which made the front page of the News and Observer, illustrates the conflict of rights represented by the licensed falconer and the homeowner.
Although raising hens in urban areas has increased, problems associated with disease, cost of feed, parasites, fly infestation and poor egg production may convince urban chicken owners to revert to purchasing their needs at the local supermarket.

Maryland community to review animal ordinance

Reports say the town of Berlin, Md., is reviewing an ordinance amendment that would outlaw the keeping of chickens and other farm animals within town limits.
This comes after a small flock of backyard chickens and ducks, kept as pets, led to community concern.

Backyard chickens considered in Chicago suburb

City officials in Evanston, Ill., may reconsider a 1974 law prohibiting the keeping of chickens, according to reports.
The citizen group, Evanston Backyard Chicken Committee, is interested in raising chickens for eggs and is pushing for the law change.
Members hope to develop a model ordinance based on successful policy in other parts of the country. The group would present its proposal to a sub-committee of the city council.

Virginia ordnance would allow backyard layers

By July 14, the City Council of Harrisonburg, Va. expects a draft of an ordinance that would allow residents to keep egg-laying chickens in their backyards.
Members of the Harrisonburg Backyard Chicken Project initiated the change to allow participation in the "organic food security movement," reported the Rocktownweekly.com.
The impact on property values and the potential for the spread of disease to commercial flocks have been raised as concerns.