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.

Boise Tour de Coop - Saturday, September 11, 2010

Chicks dig Architectural Modern!

Join us for the inaugural Boise Tour de Coop! Bring your friends and family to take part in a unique adventure on a beautiful day, tour a variety of urban chicken farms, and celebrate the value of sustainable, local food production.

We will provide maps of the participating coops - you can choose where to start! Follow one of the suggested routes to visit each coop, meet the urban farmers, and learn how your neighbors are contributing to the local food economy in the Treasure Valley.


Check out our cool animated promos here, then share with your friends to help spread the word! 

Register now!

Visit www.eventbee.com/view/tvfctourdecoop2010 to reserve a spot on the Tour and add the event to your September social calendar. Don't be left with egg on your face!

After you have experienced all the coops, join everyone at the Tour de Coop after party for food, drink, music, prizes, and community building.

The Boise Tour de Coop is brought to you by the Treasure Valley Food Coalition, a program of Sustainable Community Connections of Idaho, Inc.

Sustainable Community Connections of Idaho connects ecologically sound, economically viable and socially responsible endeavors; supports sustainable products, programs and funding models; researches best practices, analyzes data and reports on trends; and develops policy recommendations.

The Treasure Valley Food Coalition is a network of community members working together to create a sustainable local food system focused on community-based activities relating to the production, storage, distribution, and consumption of food that are designed and operated to be ecologically sound, economically viable, and socially responsible. We supporting sustainable agriculture because all Treasure Valley citizens deserve access to affordable, fresh, local, sustainably produced food.

Learn more at http://www.sccidaho.org/