Hello Farmgirls, I haven't posted for awhile, but wanted to get some opinions if you would be so kind. Our city animal ordinance currently allows chickens on 1 acre lots or more. Well, most of the lots in the city limits are less than a 1/4 acre. We have some folks who have asked to have the ordinance reviewed & changed if possible to allow 3 - 4 backyard chickens. I was very much in favor of this, but one of the council has come up with some evidence indicating that if the chickens are cooped and not allowed to free range in the yard, that they won't be as healthy & can even (very rarely) spread disease to humans!!??!! I want to make a good decision for people who wish to raise chickens for eggs. But I'd like some of your input to help me make a reasoned decision and maybe persuade some others. Any input will be greatly appreciated.
Debbie
"You cannot find peace...by avoiding life." Virginia Woolfe
Hi Debbie. I would think if you had a big enough coop and they were given greens and fresh scraps and fresh water and were wormed and vaccinated that they would be healthy. I myself do not keep my chickens cooped up. But if I lived in town and had them I would make sure they had green grass to eat somehow. I hope that there are others here that maybe live in a town and have a coop that they would give you their opinion on this matter. I think it all depends on the care.
Good luck. And I hope you get them to change the law. There is a lady here in St. Elmo, Tn. that is fighting to keep her flock. SHe had a spot on the news a few times. She went before the city council. I haven't heard yet whether she won or not. I hope she did.
They seem to have a lot of information on this subject. I know the issue is coming up all over the country of allowing homeowners to have a backyard flock. Most of the cities seem to limit it to 4 hens only. My old hometown of Littleton Colorado just changed the zoning reg's this year. Most of the cities along the 1-25 corridor in Northern Colorado are now allowing chickens.
Thank you Kristin & Audrey. I appreciate the input! We have a family who may lose their 4 hens if we can't change the ordinance. And I know of others who are friends of mine in town. I just am trying to look at the pros because I know there are some on the council who will bring up all the cons! I was even in violation for awhile just because I had two dogs and two cats!! Come on. So we will try to get this changed. Thanks for your thoughts. We want to be fair to everyone, but I just don't see how 4 - 5 hens will be disruptive to the neighbors.
Debbie
"You cannot find peace...by avoiding life." Virginia Woolfe
Backyard Chickens - Pros & Cons
Posted - Nov 08 2010 : 10:33:25 AM
