WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT ANIMAL KEEPING in Philadelphia?
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT ANIMAL KEEPING in Philadelphia?
Quotes from first public meeting
Bees
Bees
How do people typically raise bees in the city? Bees live in "apiaries" or collections of bee hives. They look like stacked boxes set on platforms on the ground or on rooftops.
How do people typically raise bees in the city? Bees live in "apiaries" or collections of bee hives. They look like stacked boxes set on platforms on the ground or on rooftops.
How much SPACE do they need? Not very much, a common bee box is about 20” long by 16” wide and 10” tall.
How much SPACE do they need? Not very much, a common bee box is about 20” long by 16” wide and 10” tall.
What are the BENEFITS of raising bees in the city? Bees pollinate plants and are necessary for the production of local crops. Beekeeping supports dwindling honey bee populations. Bees produce honey and beeswax, which can be consumed or sold.
What are the BENEFITS of raising bees in the city? Bees pollinate plants and are necessary for the production of local crops. Beekeeping supports dwindling honey bee populations. Bees produce honey and beeswax, which can be consumed or sold.
What are common concerns and MISCONCEPTIONS? Some concerns about beekeeping are stings, allergies, and swarming. The PA Apiary Advisory Board publishes Best Management Practices as a guide to maintaining safety.
What are common concerns and MISCONCEPTIONS? Some concerns about beekeeping are stings, allergies, and swarming. The PA Apiary Advisory Board publishes Best Management Practices as a guide to maintaining safety.
What’s allowed by the City’s regulations? There are no regulations prohibiting beekeeping in Philadelphia. But, all apiaries must be registered with the PA Department of Agriculture.
What’s allowed by the City’s regulations? There are no regulations prohibiting beekeeping in Philadelphia. But, all apiaries must be registered with the PA Department of Agriculture.
Fish
Fish
How do people typically raise fish in the city? Fish grow in tanks as part of an "aquaponics" system that combines "aquaculture" (raising fish in tanks) with "hydroponics" (cultivating plants in water).
How do people typically raise fish in the city? Fish grow in tanks as part of an "aquaponics" system that combines "aquaculture" (raising fish in tanks) with "hydroponics" (cultivating plants in water).
How much SPACE do they need? Not very much, a stacked 50 gallon fish tank with 6 cubic feet of growing space requires tanks that are 3' x 2'.
How much SPACE do they need? Not very much, a stacked 50 gallon fish tank with 6 cubic feet of growing space requires tanks that are 3' x 2'.
What are the BENEFITS of raising fish in the city? Aquaponics uses less water and land than traditional fish farming. It can produce more food in much smaller spaces. It decreases the dependence on fertilizers and pesticides, and reduces waste. It can increase the production of local, affordable protein and farm-produced crops.
What are the BENEFITS of raising fish in the city? Aquaponics uses less water and land than traditional fish farming. It can produce more food in much smaller spaces. It decreases the dependence on fertilizers and pesticides, and reduces waste. It can increase the production of local, affordable protein and farm-produced crops.
What are common concerns and MISCONCEPTIONS? Aquaponics systems have few, if any, nuisance concerns. Barriers include large up-front and maintenance costs (fish food, electricity for water pumps, heat) and a steep learning curve. These systems require consistent monitoring and a lot of education to develop and maintain.
What are common concerns and MISCONCEPTIONS? Aquaponics systems have few, if any, nuisance concerns. Barriers include large up-front and maintenance costs (fish food, electricity for water pumps, heat) and a steep learning curve. These systems require consistent monitoring and a lot of education to develop and maintain.
What’s allowed by the City’s regulations? There are no regulations prohibiting aquaponics in Philadelphia.
What’s allowed by the City’s regulations? There are no regulations prohibiting aquaponics in Philadelphia.
Want MORE INFORMATION? Check out the The Aquaculture Research and Education Laboratory at Cheyney University.
Want MORE INFORMATION? Check out the The Aquaculture Research and Education Laboratory at Cheyney University.
Hens
Hens
How do people typically raise hens in the city? Hens live in a coop to keep out predators. They need room outside the coop to forage and find shade, though some of the foraging area can be pavement.
How do people typically raise hens in the city? Hens live in a coop to keep out predators. They need room outside the coop to forage and find shade, though some of the foraging area can be pavement.
How much SPACE do they need? Hens require about 120 square feet total (6 hens can be kept in 4' x 4' coops with a 10' x 10' minimum outdoor space for foraging). That's about 1/8 the size of an average residential parcel in South Philly.
How much SPACE do they need? Hens require about 120 square feet total (6 hens can be kept in 4' x 4' coops with a 10' x 10' minimum outdoor space for foraging). That's about 1/8 the size of an average residential parcel in South Philly.
What are the BENEFITS of raising hens in the city? Hens provide a source of affordable eggs and protein. They eat food scraps headed for the compost pile. Their waste can enrich compost or soil.
What are the BENEFITS of raising hens in the city? Hens provide a source of affordable eggs and protein. They eat food scraps headed for the compost pile. Their waste can enrich compost or soil.
What are common concerns and MISCONCEPTIONS? A common misconception is that hens are noisy. However it’s roosters, not hens, that are noisy. Hens produce eggs without having to be fertilized by roosters. Salmonella infections can occur in people who have contact with hens, but can be avoided with hand washing and not allowing them to come indoors. Odors and flies, can be avoided with routine maintenance. Other nuisance issues can arise if people lose interest and abandon their hens.
What are common concerns and MISCONCEPTIONS? A common misconception is that hens are noisy. However it’s roosters, not hens, that are noisy. Hens produce eggs without having to be fertilized by roosters. Salmonella infections can occur in people who have contact with hens, but can be avoided with hand washing and not allowing them to come indoors. Odors and flies, can be avoided with routine maintenance. Other nuisance issues can arise if people lose interest and abandon their hens.
What’s allowed by the City’s regulations? City regulations do not make it easy to keep chickens. "Farm animals" (chickens, goats, and pigs) are allowed on parcels of three or more acres (that's bigger than an average city block!) or at a facility used for education or scientific purposes.
What’s allowed by the City’s regulations? City regulations do not make it easy to keep chickens. "Farm animals" (chickens, goats, and pigs) are allowed on parcels of three or more acres (that's bigger than an average city block!) or at a facility used for education or scientific purposes.
POLICY ACTION!
POLICY ACTION!
There's a bill in the works to legalize hens. Sign the petition to show your support!
Goats
Goats
How do people typically raise goats in the city? Goats are kept in fenced outdoor pens, with a shed to provide shade and cover from the weather. They need company and should be kept in pairs or herds. They also need things to climb.
How do people typically raise goats in the city? Goats are kept in fenced outdoor pens, with a shed to provide shade and cover from the weather. They need company and should be kept in pairs or herds. They also need things to climb.
How much SPACE do they need? Two goats should have at least 400 square feet of outdoor space (20' x 20'), about the half the size of an average residential parcel in South Philly.
How much SPACE do they need? Two goats should have at least 400 square feet of outdoor space (20' x 20'), about the half the size of an average residential parcel in South Philly.
What are the BENEFITS of raising goats in the city? Goats grazing can provide an earth- friendly alternative to mowing and clearing overgrown areas. Their digestive systems destroy the seeds of invasive plants. They produce milk (if reproducing annually), manure to enrich compost, and their coats can be converted into textiles.
What are the BENEFITS of raising goats in the city? Goats grazing can provide an earth- friendly alternative to mowing and clearing overgrown areas. Their digestive systems destroy the seeds of invasive plants. They produce milk (if reproducing annually), manure to enrich compost, and their coats can be converted into textiles.
What are common CONCERNS? Goats can be noisy. They have a tendency to escape if given opportunity. They will eat most plants within their range; keep goats separate from your garden!
What are common CONCERNS? Goats can be noisy. They have a tendency to escape if given opportunity. They will eat most plants within their range; keep goats separate from your garden!
What’s allowed by the City’s regulations? City regulations do not make it easy to keep goats. "Farm animals" (chickens, goats, and pigs) are allowed on parcels of three or more acres... that's an area the size of two football fields!
What’s allowed by the City’s regulations? City regulations do not make it easy to keep goats. "Farm animals" (chickens, goats, and pigs) are allowed on parcels of three or more acres... that's an area the size of two football fields!
Thank YOU for YOUR THOUGHTS about animal keeping in Philly!
Thank YOU for YOUR THOUGHTS about animal keeping in Philly!
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