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Our Mission: To promote the legalization of backyard chicken-keeping in cities around the country. We successfully changed a city ordinance here in Oregon's capital city and we can help you do the same where you live! We want to share our knowledge and experiences and provide a central location dedicated to changing city ordinances. This site will serve as a place where you can find all the resources you need to start your own Chicken Revolution. If you need help changing your city's ordinance, click on the "Legal Stuff" page for help.
Our Story: We are ordinary people who strongly believe in the right to raise a few hens for pets and for eggs on private properties for which we pay taxes. We formed a group called Chickens In The Yard (CITY) and together we made a big impact on our local government. We even made the front page of The Wall Street Journal! And read a follow-up story about our documentary in a Wall Street Journal Blog. For more national and local coverage of our efforts, go to the Articles page and scroll down. After a 2-year battle, we finally won and chickens are now legal in Salem!
For details of the ordinance, click the link below.
To apply for a chicken-keeping permit,
Order your very own Chicken Revolution T-Shirts, DVDs, and Window Decals today!
Watch the "Outlaws" music video on YouTube, a 2-minute clip from The Chicken Revolution. If you think this is funny, you'll want to see the entire 75-minute award-winning, documentary film!
Copyright 2010 Chickens In The Yard, LLC. All rights reserved.
Why Che Chicken?
When CITY was formed, we were just a group of people who thought it would be great to have a few hens in our yards like many of our parents, grandparents, and their families before them. Boy, were we surprised to discover that in Salem, Oregon you can legally own a 100-pound pet pig, or a vicious dog, but not a 3-pound hen!
We didn't plan to become revolutionaries, but after nearly a year of struggling to legalize backyard hens in Salem, that's where it stands. This is America - the land of the free. We should not be denied the pets of our choosing, on our own private property, for which we pay taxes. Other citizens in major cities around the country, and in Oregon have chicken-keeping ordinances. Why not us?
Our "Che Chicken" logo resembles a famous photograph of Che Guevara taken in 1960. While we do not condone his violent methods, we chose Che because he has become an international symbol for rebellion against injustices.
This image is meant to make you smile. A chicken wearing the beret of a revolutionary? There is tremendous irony in our use of this symbol. What could be more conservative than having a few chickens in your yard? Yet we have to battle for the same rights our parents and grandparents had as Americans - the right to a have few hens. No, that's not in the Constitution...but America was founded on the principals of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness...and chickens make us happy.
Viva la Urban Chicken Revolution!
"The revolution is not an apple that falls when it is ripe. You have to make it fall."
. . . . Che GuevaraChicken Revolution
Chickens In The Yard (CITY)ahere to add
Because we all have the right to grow our own food!
Winner of the 2010 Mid-Valley Film Festival (just $12)
Click the stars to read and/or subscribe to our most recent newsletters:
Apr 2011
Feb 2011
Mar 2011
May 2011
Jun 2011
Jul 2011
Update! On January 23, 2012 we had a big turnout at Salem City Hall (thank you!) and our city councilors voted to have staff come back with a revised ordinance that includes our proposed changes. At at future meeting they will discuss and vote on these changes. Please check back for a date and come once more to show your support.
Aug 2011
Oct 2011
Jan 2012
