Michigan Humane Society 
has Chickens that Need Homes
(Crystal A. Proxmire, Aug. 29, 2015)
The Michigan Humane Society is trying to get the word out about chickens and roosters that need homes. The animal rescue organization has about six birds up for adoption.
Ryan McTigue, spokesperson for the Humane Society, said chickens and roosters are not uncommon. “Typically these are owned animals that the owner is no longer able to care for,” he said.
The birds are only to be used for pets, not for food or commercial purposes. Cities have varying ordinances about chicken ownership. “Some don’t allow them at all. Some say you 
can have chicken but not roosters. People who are unsure can check their local ordinances or they have a list at the adoption center,” McTigue said.
The Human Society is known for their care of dogs and cats, but they also help a variety of other animals like rabbits, birds and goats. “You never know what will come through that door,” he said.
Chickens are growing in popularity, not just in the rural areas. Laura Mikulski led the way to getting an ordinance in Ferndale allowing backyard chickens, and is the founder of www.ferndalechickens.com. Mikulski has three hens. Bossy, Dumptruck and Crow provide hours of amusement and fresh eggs on a daily basis. ” I love watching them just be chickens- they’re fascinating in how they explore the world, and offer up a unique insight into bird intelligence that you don’t really get to experience unless you’re keeping birds,” Mikulski said. 
For those getting chickens for the first time, she recommends being prepared. “Plan for predators and illness/injury. Accidents happen and there aren’t dedicated chicken vets nearby.”
Kathleen LaTosch is also a Fendale chicken mom. She and her wife Jen love watching their kids run around the back yard with the animals. With two kids and two adults they eat almost all of the eggs that Bella, Snuggles and Chickenzilla lay. “You need to make sure they have warmth and space in the winter,” she said.
LaTosch said the experience has helped her kids learn more about farm animals. Caring for them gives them nurturing skills and responsibility, and seeing how food is made firsthand is also a valuable life lesson. Overall she says the birds are “very fun” and “very peaceful” to have.
Currently there are about six chickens available at the Michigan Human Society’s Rochester Hills Center for Animal Care at 3600 W. Auburn Rd. in Rochester Hills. For more information go to http://support.michiganhumane.org/site/PageNavigator/locationshours_rochesterhills.html.
Previous chicken stories:
http://oaklandcounty115.com/2011/04/20/chicken-coops-in-ferndale/
http://oaklandcounty115.com/2011/05/12/the-chicken-petition/
http://oaklandcounty115.com/2011/09/15/council-to-vote-on-chicken-coops
http://oaklandcounty115.com/2012/01/07/chicken-coop-ordinance-to-be-considered-by-council-monday/
http://oaklandcounty115.com/2012/01/15/new-rules-allow-for-backyard-chickens/
In 2014 we ran a series about a person’s experiences with having chickens for the first time:
Read Part #1 here – http://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/04/01/the-life-of-ferndale-chickens-1-the-babies-are-home-2/.
Read Part #2 here – http://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/04/09/the-life-of-ferndale-chickens-2-field-trip/
Read Part #3 here – http://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/04/17/the-life-of-ferndale-chickens-3-chicken-acrobatics/
Read Part #4 here – http://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/05/06/the-life-of-ferndale-chickens-4-week-sixfreedom/
Read Part #5 here – http://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/06/17/the-life-of-ferndale-chickens-5-hey-thats-my-foot-video/