You Say You Wanna (Chicken) Revolution?

Local Chickenista Gretchen Anderson just hatched an oeuvre de force entitled "The Backyard Chicken Fight: How Keeping Chickens in Your Yard is Ruffling Feathers Across the Nation."



Congratulations, Gretchen!

And to everyone else, for goodness sake, buy the book!

2011 Tour de Coop Plans Underway!

Tour de Coop mavens met this week to begin planning for the 2011 Tour de Coop. This year we have strong interest from chickenistas in Eagle interested in participating and co-hosting an expanded coop tour. We are exploring options and what such a tour might look like. More details to follow. We ask that anyone with information on potential event conflicts to let us know ASAP. You can post messages here or on the Boise Tour de Coop FaceBook page.

Thanks!

When dogs kill chickens-know the law

Notice to dog owners and chickeneers. With more uncontrolled dogs breaking into yards and killing chickens in Boise, it is important to review the law in Idaho. If a loose dog enters your property and harrasses or kills your chickens, under law you can kill the dog on the spot with no repercussions (OK, your karma would totally suck). The owner of said dog would be liable for damages and forced to replace the value of any livestock or poultry lost. It's not a pretty picture for anyone.

Sadly, in a few local cases, dog owners have exhibited no remorse for damage caused by their uncontrolled dogs, and have in fact verbally assaulted the poultry owners. It is imperative that poultry owners file complaints immediately with Animal Control. Like paper training a puppy, reckless dog owners must face timely, proportionate consequences in order to raise awareness of the law.

Please note that this doesn't apply if your chickens are running loose in the 'hood. Free range can quickly become fair game.

See the Idaho statute here:

http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/idstat/Title25/T25CH28SECT25-2806.htm

2010 Boise Tour de Coop Shirts still available!

If you didn't get your official 2010 BTDC 'Chicken Head' shirts, stop crying. Jim at Initial Response Embroidery has generously offered to continue printing shirts as orders come in. These beautiful 100% cotton heavyweight shirts are still $20, and net proceeds support sustainable local food efforts and upcoming Tour de Coop events.

Just send an email to erik.kingston@gmail.com and specify style (Men's, Ladies, or Youth) and size (XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL).

Order Shirts at link to left.

Something to Crow About!

12 coops on the tour.
129 map sales and over 150 participants (plus loads of kids!).
Great after party with fine music.
Re-ordering shirts to meet demand.

And check out the sweet video piece put together by the Boise Co-op!

Click here to see the slideshow by the Idaho Statesman's Bethann Stewart.

What a great start to a future Boise annual tradition!

Thanks to the A Team!

Avian advocates Erik, Dave, Kelsey and Elizabeth.

Pre-registration is now closed! Register at 8th & Idaho this morning

If you still need to register, go to the Information Booth at the CC Public Market on the corner of 8th & Idaho Street from 10am to get a tour map. And visit our sweet after party at the North End Organic Nursery on Hill Road for more chickeny fun!

Look for the Tour Host poster to know you're at the right place.

Tour de Coop gets the early bird press

Tomorrow is the big day! Pre-register (see below) now, or head on down to the Saturday Market Info Booth at 8th and Idaho around 10am. Look for the chickenistas who will take your $5 donation towards the Treasure Valley Food Assessment, and hand you a map for the self-guided tour.

Check out the Boise Weekly's Tour Tip.

From one Coop to another. Thanks to the Boise Coop for spreading the good word about the Tour de Coop!

See an article by Idaho Statesman reporter Bethann Stewart on local egg production! Thanks for mentioning the Tour de Coop!

Props to the Great and Powerful Tim Johnstone at the River 94.9 for the blog mention, and to the Boise Backyard Chicken Egg-sperience for the support.