nic243's Profile

The stools are from Restoration Hardware and they just happen to be on sale right now (!): http://www.restorationhardware.com/catalog/product/product.jsp?productId=prod2110536

This is perfect timing. I recently moved into an apartment building in Brooklyn with a shared backyard. The neighbors (I haven't really gotten to know them, but they seem about college age?) introduced what seems to be two hens and a rooster to the backyard without so much as knocking on the door to ask if we would mind. I say what seems to be, because I'm not super familiar with chickens, but I have certainly heard the rooster every morning at sunrise while I'm getting ready for work.

I love animals, so the chickens aren't really the issue, per se. The problems are as follows: roosters are illegal in New York City, there are loads of stray cats and one ENORMOUS, not too friendly dog who wonders down a path from another backyard, and the "coop" they built consists of a tiny little hen house built for one chicken, and some chicken wire that won't keep anything in or out.

I have no idea how to deal with something like this, but I'm worried about the well being of these animals. What do I do, if anything?

As someone who lives in New York, the 30% mark is almost impossible. 40% is more like it. That's the percentage that I, and most of the people I know, hover around. However, I second Adriana in DC: I do save money not having a car, but every time the MTA hikes subway fares, I cringe.

@RYBEARS MAMA - I'm glad someone's enjoying Agawam. I grew up in Western Mass (East Longmeadow/Springfield to be exact) and I would never in a million years move back there. NYC is probably my home for good. I may pay a little more for rent, but I also make a higher salary and I don't have to pay for a car, so it all evens out IMHO.