CdM Chicken Controversy Continues

posted: December 28th, 2011 03:03 pm | 12Comments

A Corona del Mar man has launched an effort to keep his six pet chickens after an animal control officer warned him that the creatures violate Newport Beach municipal code.

Michael P. Resk, who lives in the 300 block of Goldenrod near the footbridge, has owned Tiny, Red, Whitey, Flaty, Blackie and Blondie for about a year and a half, mostly with positive local reaction.

Then two weeks ago, a Newport Beach police animal control officer arrived at his door.

“He said, ‘We need to talk about your chickens,’” Resk said. “‘You need to get rid of them. We’ve gotten a noise complaint.’”

Resk was given 14 days, which expires today, to get rid of the animals. Police spokeswoman Kathy Lowe said he’s been given an extension because City Hall is closed over the Christmas holiday. But he faces a fine starting at $100, Resk said, and he does not plan to get rid of the birds.

Resk bought the hens because he thought they would make fun pets and help get rid of fleas and termites in his neighborhood. He keeps them in his fenced yard, and most of the neighbors and passersby adore them, he said.

Neighbor Mary Roosevelt said she likes the chickens, although she didn’t in the beginning when they escaped and made a mess out of her flower bed.

“I was not a happy camper,” she said. “I was furious. They pooped everywhere, and I don’t like a mess. But he did the neighborly thing. There was a big bouquet on my doorstep the next day, and a note. Now I love them. My grandchildren visit and save snails for them. They give the neighborhood character.”

Resk said he has not talked to the neighbor who complained about the noise.

He said he hopes to keep his pets, perhaps by reaching out to Corona del Mar Resident and mayor, Nancy Gardner, to see if an exception could be made because his chickens aren’t technically poultry, which is what the municipal code bans.

“I don’t raise them for meat, and there are no eggs,” he said. “They are pets.”

Resk has talked to several television and newspaper reporters, including the Newport Beach Independent, which broke the story on Dec. 23. He also started a Facebook page called The Goldenrod 6, which currently has 152 people who like it.

He hopes that public opinion will result in his being able to keep his pets, and while he’s considered different options, he’s biding his time and waiting to see what happens next.

“I think they (animal control) will be back,” he said. “But I’m hoping I can demonstrate that they aren’t poultry, so I can keep them.”

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12 Responses to “CdM Chicken Controversy Continues”

Comments

Rudiger

December 28th, 2011

damn hippies. 1) there's nothing wrong with mass-produced Tyson poultry, and 2) this is america. dogs are pet. we EAT chickens. unless you live in the midwest, lose the chickens and cut your hair.

Elizabeth

December 28th, 2011

We're able to keep chickens in San Francisco which is more highly populated than CDM...don't see why he can't keep chickens! Dogs barking incessantly is my idea of hell- not the gentle clucking of chickens.

Linda Valdivia

December 28th, 2011

This guy deserves to keep his 6 beautiful chickens. They are pets, my grand daughter loves to go over and see them as much as possible. Its therapy for her.To take them away would shatter her world.

mory

December 28th, 2011

Ohh i love seeing those chickens ! I HOPE THEY STAY ! They make my day!

Jammers

December 28th, 2011

KEEP THOSE CHICKENS! I hope somethng is worked out and Newport Beach's code gets together with common sense. fyi, I think mr rudiger is being sarcastic (mass-produced Tyson chickens and bad grammar? lol).

RIC Director

December 28th, 2011

There is a very sound exemplar ordinance on my site (http://www.rabbitindustrycouncil.com) which might be of help. It sets some sensible guidelines for the keeping of both chickens and rabbits in urban/suburban areas. I'd also recommend taking a look over at BackyardChickens.com--they have an excellent section on changing local ordinances and working with government to keep everyone happy. I doubt that proving them 'not poultry' because they are pets only is going to work--the term 'poultry' mostly refers to species, not to use. :( Best of luck, Mr. Resk, and may the feathers be with you! :)

Angela

December 28th, 2011

For the love of god, let this guy keep his chickens. This town needs some character.

Graham Wellington the III

December 28th, 2011

Rudiger is right! I demand that my chickens come from a factory! Cut their beaks off is what I say! Why would anyone want a chicken that lives on grass? Chickens are fowl(pun intended) little beasts and god bless corona del mar for putting a stop to these poultry pests!!!

Jamie

December 28th, 2011

My significant other will be sad, she loves to feed the chickens flowers on her walks. One "knows" her and comes running. OK, here's the problem. If one person has chickens, the next one will want a rooster or a cow. CdM just isn't the place for farm animals. Though I would gladly take the chickens over the large number of barking, ill mannered dogs and their owners. I don't care about these chickens as they don't affect me, but I would not want chickens or a rooster next door to me. Sadly, I think they need to follow the law.

Graham Wellington the III

December 29th, 2011

Jamie I can't help but feel sorry for you as your comment sounds like my toilet after a full use. First, I highly doubt you could tell the difference between a rooster and a hen. Second, if you honestly think someone can properly care for one cattle in their front yard...well I doubt you can tell the difference between a heifer and a steer. There is absolutely nothing wrong withe keeping layers in anyone's yard. CdM is in violation of the human spirit.

sara

December 30th, 2011

The neighbors benefit from your eggs. Of course they want to see them stay. Small CDM isnt the place to have chcikens but you can move to East Santa Ana Heights.

Horses_R_Us

January 22nd, 2012

This Mr. Resk certainly takes good care of his flock,-they are penned up, in an attractive enclosure, and there is no rooster waking up the neighborhood at 5 AM. I hope he does not have to contend with the worst case scenario---a hawk swooping down and killing his birds. I've lost nearly 2 dozen of my chickens too hawks and coyotes, and it makes me very sad. I am down to six birds now. I own a little horse farm, and the horses just love having the chickens under foot, it seems. One banty rooster is in love with one of my Saddlebred stallions, and hangs out with him all day. Chickens all have very unique personalities and are gentle and like to be around humans. They are great tick patrol, as well as like little flowers with legs, a moving garden. Animal control needs to spend the taxpayers' money chasing down real nuisances, like barking or loose or aggressive dogs, not a tiny flock of pet birds who the immediate neighbors apparently like and do not want removed. That counts for everything. Whomever filed the complaint about the birds should be ashamed. Obviously, he/she has no life and just likes to make trouble, for people, out of plain nastiness. Let the man and his little family of congenial hens live in peace.

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