The days of clandestine chicken coops in Coronado may soon be over.
At 3 p.m. Tuesday the City Council will reconsider its ban on backyard chickens. If it elects to lift the ban, Rachel Hurst, the city's community development director, has recommended guidelines.
Because “Coronado is essentially an urban community with small lots, and little space between houses,” Hurst suggested that the city allow no more than three chickens per household and that coops are kept in backyards, well away from neighboring properties.
She noted that some cities restrict chickens to coops, but proposed “setbacks and quantity restrictions made this unnecessary.”
Chicken coops would not be allowed in commercial zones or in multi-family residential zones, such as the Coronado Shores.
Keeping hens has become more popular in recent years. Some credit the farm-to-table movement, while other point to the risk of salmonella from commercially produced eggs.
The ban has not stopped residents from keeping chickens. In September, one of them, Leslie Crawford, asked the council to lift the restriction. She is pleased with Hurst’s recommendations.
“They sound fair and reasonable to me,” she said. “All I ever wanted was for chickens to be treated the same way we treat other animals that live in our community.”
2011年12月5日星期一
2011年11月13日星期日
The Apron
Recently, while enjoying my favorite pastime, which happens to be shopping, my eyes fixed upon some colorful, seasonally designed aprons in the kitchen department of my favorite store. They were so uniquely attractive — however, I must admit, I’ve never worn an apron in my life. But only because I was entering my "annual cooking spirit" did I consider purchasing one. Some were designed for the season; others were decked out for holidays, and many frilly ones, much too nice to be worn simply while cooking, were obviously designed for entertaining guests or possibly to match a certain kitchen décor. So many choices!
Looking at the fashionable styles, I thought about the aprons my grandmother wore on almost every day of the year.
"Does our younger generation even know what purpose aprons serve or why they came to be?" I asked myself.
The principal use of my Grandma’s apron was to protect her dress. Having a bib and wide shoulder straps, it was considered very practical, being much easier to wash and iron than a dress. Additionally, aprons required less fabric and were frequently made from remnants or feed sacks. However, her apron also served other needs, such as a potholder for removing hot dishes from the oven and wiping perspiration from her brow as she cooked in the heat of the day. Kindling for her wood stove was also brought into the house in that apron, and it made an ideal hiding place for shy kids, like myself. Her apron was handy for carrying eggs from the chicken coop and was always available in chilly weather, should she need a wrap for her arms or a temporary baby blanket. It was perfect for carrying freshly harvested vegetables from the garden, and after the lima beans had been shelled, it carried out the hulls. When unexpected company was spotted coming down the drive, it was amazing how much furniture could be dusted in a matter of seconds with that apron.
Yes, Grandma’s apron served many purposes, but one I remember best was how it was used to wipe the tears from her grandchildren’s eyes or to hide a piece of candy in the pocket as a reward for a really good boy or girl. Who cared if it was a bit soiled from the day’s chores? Who noticed that it was worn and faded? Germs? What germs?
Over the years, aprons have changed, but they’re still around. Even men are wearing them. Of course, men’s aprons are masculine looking, giving an air of professionalism whether worn in the kitchen or on the deck. Masculine or feminine, aprons of today have become a fashion statement. Being the "trendy" grandmother that I am, I just may need to purchase a frilly one, or one personalized with my name or a quote, but mainly one to serve as a reminder of how they were once used by my grandmother, as a tool for, long before we even understood the now "in" term, multi-tasking.
Looking at the fashionable styles, I thought about the aprons my grandmother wore on almost every day of the year.
"Does our younger generation even know what purpose aprons serve or why they came to be?" I asked myself.
The principal use of my Grandma’s apron was to protect her dress. Having a bib and wide shoulder straps, it was considered very practical, being much easier to wash and iron than a dress. Additionally, aprons required less fabric and were frequently made from remnants or feed sacks. However, her apron also served other needs, such as a potholder for removing hot dishes from the oven and wiping perspiration from her brow as she cooked in the heat of the day. Kindling for her wood stove was also brought into the house in that apron, and it made an ideal hiding place for shy kids, like myself. Her apron was handy for carrying eggs from the chicken coop and was always available in chilly weather, should she need a wrap for her arms or a temporary baby blanket. It was perfect for carrying freshly harvested vegetables from the garden, and after the lima beans had been shelled, it carried out the hulls. When unexpected company was spotted coming down the drive, it was amazing how much furniture could be dusted in a matter of seconds with that apron.
Yes, Grandma’s apron served many purposes, but one I remember best was how it was used to wipe the tears from her grandchildren’s eyes or to hide a piece of candy in the pocket as a reward for a really good boy or girl. Who cared if it was a bit soiled from the day’s chores? Who noticed that it was worn and faded? Germs? What germs?
Over the years, aprons have changed, but they’re still around. Even men are wearing them. Of course, men’s aprons are masculine looking, giving an air of professionalism whether worn in the kitchen or on the deck. Masculine or feminine, aprons of today have become a fashion statement. Being the "trendy" grandmother that I am, I just may need to purchase a frilly one, or one personalized with my name or a quote, but mainly one to serve as a reminder of how they were once used by my grandmother, as a tool for, long before we even understood the now "in" term, multi-tasking.
2011年9月7日星期三
A Solar-Powered Chicken Coop For Dummies
Urban farming is all the rage these days, and chickens are increasingly chic. Many of us who dream of harvesting fresh eggs every day don’t have the first clue about how to get started, or how to take care of a flock of layers – but a new solar-powered chicken coop design called the Front Yard Coop Full Monty just might take the guesswork (not to mention a lot of the hassle) out of keeping chickens.
Developed in Katonah, N.Y., this mobile chicken coop was designed for the front yard – preferably one bounded by a fence or hedges, as it moves automatically throughout the day, ensuring that the chickens inside get some exercise, even when they’re all cooped up; giving the chickens fresh forage; and spreading beneficial manure over the entire lawn. When the coop hits a dead end, so to speak, it’s smart enough to reverse direction, keeping your chickens safe in your yard throughout the day.
Just fill the feed bin with grain and the water tank with water; this “smart coop” will dispense food and water at appropriate intervals, so you won’t have to wake up at the crack of dawn to make sure your feathered friends get fed. Roosting wastes are easily removed via a series of drawers, and foraging waste helps to keep your lawn green. Predators are repelled by an electrified fence (which won’t hurt the chickens). We assume that the automatic motion of the coop also means that you can leave your flock for a few days if necessary, but as a good friend to your chickens, you’ll want to let them out on a regular basis to free-range, as well.
The Front Yard Coop is available in various versions; Inhabitat reports that the Full Monty model measures 4 feet wide by 8 feet long and propels itself 16 feet every hour using energy from its (included) solar panels. It’ll set you back $3,225 – but save you, of course, whatever you’re currently shelling out for eggs.
Developed in Katonah, N.Y., this mobile chicken coop was designed for the front yard – preferably one bounded by a fence or hedges, as it moves automatically throughout the day, ensuring that the chickens inside get some exercise, even when they’re all cooped up; giving the chickens fresh forage; and spreading beneficial manure over the entire lawn. When the coop hits a dead end, so to speak, it’s smart enough to reverse direction, keeping your chickens safe in your yard throughout the day.
Just fill the feed bin with grain and the water tank with water; this “smart coop” will dispense food and water at appropriate intervals, so you won’t have to wake up at the crack of dawn to make sure your feathered friends get fed. Roosting wastes are easily removed via a series of drawers, and foraging waste helps to keep your lawn green. Predators are repelled by an electrified fence (which won’t hurt the chickens). We assume that the automatic motion of the coop also means that you can leave your flock for a few days if necessary, but as a good friend to your chickens, you’ll want to let them out on a regular basis to free-range, as well.
The Front Yard Coop is available in various versions; Inhabitat reports that the Full Monty model measures 4 feet wide by 8 feet long and propels itself 16 feet every hour using energy from its (included) solar panels. It’ll set you back $3,225 – but save you, of course, whatever you’re currently shelling out for eggs.
2011年4月26日星期二
Dog raises 30 chicks
It’s a relationship that could cause a few ruffled feathers in the animal kingdom, but Marmaduke, the 120 pound Great Dane, doesn't think anything about playing mother hen to a brood of chicks.
"We took some out of my sister’s coop and incubated them for the kids and it ended up being for the dog,” says owner Sue Paull.
The family dog went from being simply curious to passionately protective of the 30 fluffy chicks, even grooming his adopted family and sleeping near them this last week.
“He was always cleaning them and doting over them especially when the kids had them out on the couch,” she says. “He’ll make sure that no body's hurting them, or doing something they he didn't like.”
Marmaduke is just over a year old, but has shown an affinity for taking care of young animals of all kinds on the Paull's Kelowna farm.
“We had a baby goat here that we bottle fed and he was the same way with that too,” says Paull. “Great Danes are gentle dogs. They’re characteristics are gentle. But he’s just gone over the edge, I guess.”
“He obviously thinks he’s human. He has his own bed-couch and wanders the house like it’s his own.”
Rather than take chase, Marmaduke gave up charge of his adopted family today as they transitioned into their real home: the chicken coop.
His short lived job as doting dad is done, even if his celebrity status as an unlikely mother hen lives on.
"We took some out of my sister’s coop and incubated them for the kids and it ended up being for the dog,” says owner Sue Paull.
The family dog went from being simply curious to passionately protective of the 30 fluffy chicks, even grooming his adopted family and sleeping near them this last week.
“He was always cleaning them and doting over them especially when the kids had them out on the couch,” she says. “He’ll make sure that no body's hurting them, or doing something they he didn't like.”
Marmaduke is just over a year old, but has shown an affinity for taking care of young animals of all kinds on the Paull's Kelowna farm.
“We had a baby goat here that we bottle fed and he was the same way with that too,” says Paull. “Great Danes are gentle dogs. They’re characteristics are gentle. But he’s just gone over the edge, I guess.”
“He obviously thinks he’s human. He has his own bed-couch and wanders the house like it’s his own.”
Rather than take chase, Marmaduke gave up charge of his adopted family today as they transitioned into their real home: the chicken coop.
His short lived job as doting dad is done, even if his celebrity status as an unlikely mother hen lives on.
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