Do chickens belong in the city?
Posted at 6:00 AM on October 22, 2009
by Eric Ringham
(15 Comments)
Filed under: Culture
In an effort to become more self-reliant, some urban dwellers have taken to raising chickens for their eggs. But calls to Animal Control suggest that not all of them understand the responsibilities of the chicken farmer. Do chickens belong in the city?
Comments (15)
Having grown up on a farm with chickens I now look back at the many enjoyable moments tending the flock. Chickens are very funny birds. Give them plenty of space, please. Let them enjoy the earth.
Yes, chickens are fine as long as they don't bother me. Which can't be said about dogs.
How about this question instead, "Should our chickens be raised in a laboratory or factory?" That is where many are raised now - in ultrapure clean rooms like those used to make drugs and medical devices. The "farmers" must gown up from head to toe due to the risk of the entire monoculture flock in the factory catching an illness that would quickly kill them all.
Give me a backyard city chicken any day. Buk!
I have neighbors that have something that cockadoodledoos in the morning in a fairly conspicuous area under their deck or in their crawl space or something like that. Is it for cockfighting? Do they have him to fertilize eggs and/or sell his services to other city chicken farmers? Is it all just an elaborate robot that they constructed to annoy me? I don't have a problem with non-rooster poultry, especially if they're open about it and its all up to snuff with health codes, etc. But I am concerned about the possibility of animal cruelty going on over there, and furthermore I am concerned about the possibility of it becoming human cruelty in the future (towards me) should I attempt to get answers to my questions.
Sure, but no roosters. That's just not cool.
Sure! Why not? As long as they have responsible owners that care for them, they should be allowed. We need to recognize the potential benefits of policies that encourage and support responsible urban agriculture, which includes chickens and, of course, their eggs!
I have chickens, I take of them, I sell my eggs to friends, I enjoy the hobby and the small bit of localism that comes from it. It should also be noted that chickens kept this way are healthier, the eggs are better for you and if you have ever seen the way children react to animals you know that it is a great way to teach a great many lessons about life.
At first this question seems absurd. Chickens in the city?!?!
What's more absurd is flying bananas 3,000 miles around the globe so people can have EXACTLY what they want for breakfast. We can't stay so divorced from out food sources.
I really don't see a problem with them living in the city. If they're holding a steady job and want to buy a home, they should be welcomed into the neighborhood.
Too many chickens have been leaving the city and moving to the suburbs.
I feel that people who are against this are the ones that believe Milk, Eggs and Hamburger come from the store and not a Cow and Chicken on a farm somewhere. Have people try raising a chicken--maybe they will have a new found respect for farmers and the work they do.
Absolutely! Chickens offer a perfect balance between living in the city and living on the farm. Raising chickens can be a great way to teach your children about being more self sufficient and responsible. Don't do it though if you think your eggs will be cheaper. You will never be able to have eggs for $1.50 a dozen. You do it for the fun, and enjoyment. City chickens must be raised with an understanding of your neighbors rights and the safety of the chickens: Keep them penned (or fenced), provide a safe coup for nighttime, clip their wings and above all remember that dogs, yours and the neighbors, love to chase chickens. This is a noisy sport and VERY detrimental to the lives of the chickens. Also, while I'd love to have a rooster, their morning crowing might be the biggest hurdle to getting city and neighborhood approval.
Yes. As others have noted, they are much less of a nuisance than a barking dog. Caring for them is not rocket science. They're well-behaved and quiet (as long as you don't have roosters, which don't belong in the city). They help people get more connected to where their food is coming from. What exactly is the drawback?
Definitely!
Sure, they're no different than any other pet as long as their owner is responsible and respectful. **See owners manual for Dog(s), Cat(s), Kid(s), Husband, ...
+1 to the "they impact my life less than a barking dog" (JoAnn)
This is a slippery slope.
Of course, my neighbors have chickens and I am a little envious. They have done a good job of caring for them and they impact my life less than a barking dog.
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