'Chicken' interrupts council meeting

Person in costume 'lays' egg on chamber floor

by Garrett Andrews
Herald Staff Writer

Article Last Updated; Thursday, November 19, 2009 2:16PM

This text will be replaced with Durango Herald video

Video by Courtesy of Exposure Productions

Click image to enlarge

Courtesy of Exposure Productions
A person in a chicken costume sits in the City Council chamber’s audience gallery at City Hall, in a screen grab from Tuesday’s council meeting. After arriving near the end of the meeting, the unidentified person made a several chicken moves and then sat quietly.

Entering the third hour of a dry City Council meeting, a person in a chicken costume surprised Durango's five councilors with an unscheduled visit Tuesday, before heading back out under the lights of East Second Avenue and into a frosty November night.

And one day later, officials at City Hall were no closer to naming a suspect.

The human-sized chicken made its bewildering appearance at council chambers just after 8:30 p.m., as Mayor Leigh Meigs was discussing the language of a recently-passed backyard hen ordinance.

Making a few characteristic chicken noises, the animal entered the room carrying a sign featuring a misspelling of "chicken" and a check mark, took a few turns, and then a seat in the otherwise-empty gallery.

The pseudo-chicken sat patiently and rocked its head while confused councilors chuckled and looked on and attempted to continue. Several minutes later, the council went into a scheduled closed session and the chicken appropriately rose from its seat to leave. On its way out, the bird approached the dais, crouched and left an egg on the floor.

"We have no idea who that was," said Councilor Doug Lyon, who denied any involvement. "None of my associates has a chicken costume."

He said fellow councilor and eat-local advocate Michael Rendon might be responsible. Lyon called the spectacle a "humorous interlude" in an otherwise business-like meeting.

Councilor Christina Thompson was relieved as well.

"I thought it was hilarious," she said. I was laughing so hard my eyes hurt, and my cheeks ... There are just so many other things for us to be serious about, it's good to take a break once in a while."

The chicken ordinance passed 3-2 at the Nov. 3 council meeting, after a year and a half of public hearings, study sessions and council meetings. Lyon and Meigs opposed the measure citing concerns about dust, odor and predators. Councilor Paul Broderick broke the tie with a vote in support but said later he wished someone had tackled that chicken.

"I want to know who that clucker was," he said.

At the time of the incident, Meigs and Lyon were asking that the term "predator-resistant" be a required term, not a recommended one, as was written in the ordinance. Meigs said she was glad to have in attendance a supporter of her argument.

"He was obviously there for safety," she said. "Sanctuary."

She, too, had no idea who the chicken was.

"Maybe Michael brought him," she said.

Rendon, who introduced the chicken ordinance over a year ago, avows no knowledge of the event, despite being spotted previously in a chicken costume at a Snowdown parade.

"That was a white chicken head," Rendon said.

The chicken Tuesday was yellow-headed.

gandrews@durangoherald.com'>gandrews@durangoherald.com

Saturday, November 28, 2009
at 10:49:32 PM

Suggest removal

Bill Peart says...

We out here in California currently have a "Happy Cows come from California" promotion by the California Milk Advisory Board.
However this proves beyond any shadow of doubt.
"Contented Chickens come from Colorado"
ps I am glad the chicken combed his/her feathers before entering, a mark of pure civility!
If this were to have happened at a city council meeting here in Chico Ca. the culprit would have been arrested for running "afoul" of the law.
thank you,
Bill Peart
Chico California
Friday, November 27, 2009
at 8:39:20 AM

Suggest removal

John Monroe says...

Well; for me, it's great to be living in a town that's second only in quirkyness (I know; that's not a word) to the imaginary Cicely, Alaska of 'Northern Exposure' fame. By and large, we have a great sense of humor here and can easily poke fun at ourselves; as the chicken demonstrated.

And; I'm sure the chicken can be found nightly at Cuckoo's Chicken House; which is, of course, just a short walk from City Hall.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
at 9:01:48 PM

Suggest removal

Simone Benedict says...

I love this story and I love the clucker! As for the people worried about the smell of chicken doo doo in a neighbor's backyard, well I'd rather smell that than dog doo doo, now that is fowl.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
at 1:36:20 PM

Suggest removal

Farmer Jonez says...

Missing one steroid-altered rooster who lays radioactive eggs. If seen, please do not harrass and or anger! Call the Atomic Energy Commission immediately!
Sunday, November 22, 2009
at 3:16:59 PM

Suggest removal

Tina Anderson says...

Oh, come on oldDMRemployee! I'm from Texas and saw the story and I think it makes y'all look like you have a pretty good sense of humor. I'm glad it was on the news. I loved it! It turned a bad day into a better one for me at least. ;)
Sunday, November 22, 2009
at 3:14:10 PM

Suggest removal

Tina Anderson says...

OMG! My hat's off to the chicken! That was hilarious, ROTFLMAO! I wanted to see him lay the egg though!
Saturday, November 21, 2009
at 2:55:08 PM

Suggest removal

Ed Maher says...

It is Tim Maher. love, Mom and Dad
Friday, November 20, 2009
at 9:46:45 PM

Suggest removal

betty bearsmart says...

The chicken was Tim Maher.
Friday, November 20, 2009
at 2:27:21 PM

Suggest removal

June French Clements says...

I live in Virginia and a friend called me today to say she saw this on a local tv station news. My son lives in Durango. Funny we should hear about this on the other side of the country.
Friday, November 20, 2009
at 2:07:59 PM

Suggest removal

Ken says...

Appearantly Fox and CNN thought it was news. We saw it on national news last night and our ranch in Custer County Idaho. It was hilarious and yes, a welcome diviation rom all of the doom and gloom we see on TV. I think it was Bob Ledger!
Friday, November 20, 2009
at 10:41:48 AM

Suggest removal

Farm-I says...

come on, are you serious that you think people having chicken in their yards is an issue. i guess it would be better if we all just rolled over and submitted to the industrial food system, just shut up and eat what they tell you. i for one love having the satisafaction of knowing where my food comes from and how happy my chickens are!!
Friday, November 20, 2009
at 7:07:05 AM

Suggest removal

Diana says...

Council members allowing chickens and coops in back yards haven't lived near one or cleaned one. I hope they end up with the smell and cluckers as neighbors.
Diana
Thursday, November 19, 2009
at 6:31:50 PM

Suggest removal

TQE | Adam says...

I am disappointed that the included video omits the egg laying portion of the chicken's attendance.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
at 4:12:55 PM

Suggest removal

old DMRemployee says...

Funny, yes. News, NO! Way to put us in a good light.... COME ON HERALD!! Are there a bunch of cluckers picking out "news"???
Thursday, November 19, 2009
at 10:27:10 AM

Suggest removal

Jim Smith says...

Lighten up Miriam, I dont think anyone has been damaged too much because of a few "cluckers" living in the neighborhood. If so I can name several people in Durango who might have an excuse for the way they are.?
Thursday, November 19, 2009
at 10:03:16 AM

Suggest removal

Miriam Jones says...

Just because it is now legal to have chickens in Durango doesn't make it a good idea.

Chicken feed and excrement attract rodents.
Hatcheries treat chickens like puppy mills treat dogs; that is, abusively.
Sending chicks through the mail is a horrible thing to do to babies.
Hatcheries will send you roosters even if you ask them not to.
Chickens need more care than most people realize.

If you would like more information, please contact one of the following sanctuaries:

Animal Place, Chicken Run Rescue, Eastern Shore Sanctuary, Farm Sanctuary, Sunny Skies Bird and Animal Sanctuary, United Poultry Concerns