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One chicken per 1000 square feet okayed in La Mesa
I'm thrilled that my 4 chickens are now legal. That being said it amazes me how often I see people who try to blame natural acts on these chickens. So let me break a few things down: - prior to getting my chickens there were many coyotes roaming my neighborhood even though I am not too close to the canyons. They are moving into the neighborhoods. This has nothing to do with anyone having chickens and to propose this is purely idiotic thinking. - I also have 2 small dogs and a cat. Many people in my neighborhood have dogs. Many in my neighborhood have outdoor cats as well. My chickens do "squawk" just prior to laying and right after laying. I can barely hear this from the coop into my house. BUT I can hear my neighbors dogs barking all hours of the day. I can hear the guys dogs up the street barking through the night. I have had cat fights in my backyard. These are all legal animals and have been legal for many years. The barking in my opinion is just normal daily barking. Just as my chicken squawking is normal daily squawking. Which as a side note I have asked both neighbors if they hear the squawking and both have stated they do not hear this. - Flies being drawn to your house, then I suggest you clean your front and back yard better. The reality of this is that I have never seen flies in or near any coop I have been around. This includes my own when I have failed to clean it for a longer period of time then I should have. My dogs poop smells worse then the chicken coop and I won't even comment on the cat poop. - Why do I have chickens? I have 3 kids who love eggs and my 4 chickens produce enough eggs so that I only have to purchase eggs during a 2 month period over the year. This saves my family hundreds of dollars every year. Our chickens are not pets, they are food for our family. Our family is self employed and with the continued cost of living we have to look for ways to save money and this is a great way to save money. - You cannot blame a chicken coop for a predator that is in your neighborhood. They are in every neighborhood in La Mesa. Small animals should not be left out. A rattlesnake attacked 2 dogs a couple years ago by northmont elementary school. No where near a canyon they houses were close together but it happened. We have moved into their territory and the more we impede their territory the more they will come after our animals. - And keep in mind pot bellied pigs have been legal for years, do you realize that these pigs grow to the size of 100 pounds and smell terrible. They attract can attract flies. - Maybe just maybe instead of complaining about your neighbor be friendly with your neighbor and your will no longer have to buy your eggs. I know I always have extra eggs and my neighbors love my chickens. Get to know their routine. See what happens. Go over there and check it out. You may be surprised instead of making assumptions.— April 3, 2014 3:40 p.m.