As a prior owner of chickens, and alongside many others who have sought this change before, we know firsthand that backyard hens can be a beneficial addition to our homes. The unjustified fears of disease transmission, noise, and odor have overshadowed the fresh eggs, family memory's and natural pest control that a small flock of hens can bring to our backyards. 

Some Myths Regarding Chickens

Myth 1: Chickens Carry Diseases Communicable to Humans. Fact: the truth is that small flocks have literally no risk of avian flu transmission to humans. The 2006 Grain Report states: “When it comes to bird flu, diverse small-scale poultry is the solution, not the problem.” Centers for Disease Control (CDC) states on their website: “There is no need at present to remove a (family) flock of chickens because of concerns regarding avian flu.” Avian flu has been in the press as concern to commercial poultry production where birds are raised in monster-size flocks that are confined in over-crowed environments. This causes high stress and compromised immune systems in the birds. Any sign of disease, including a sneeze, could result in a huge number of birds getting sick; and this puts at risk a large amount of profit. As many experts have stated publicly, the solution to avian flu is in small-scale poultry.

Myth 2: Chickens are too Noisy. Fact: laying hens — at their loudest — have about the same decibel level as human conversation (60 to 70 decibels). Hens are so quiet that there have been cases of family flocks being kept for years without the next door neighbors knowing it.

Myth 3: Waste and Odor. Fact: a forty pound dog generates more solid waste than ten chickens. To be more specific, one 40 pound dog generates about ¾ (.75 pounds) of solid waste every day. Ten chickens generate about two-thirds (.66 pounds) daily solid waste. The advantage to chicken manure is that it can be used as valuable, high-nitrogen fertilizer. Unlike dog or cat waste, chicken waste can be combined with yard and leaf waste to create compost. Just as valuable, about 40% of the chicken manure is organic matter which is necessary for building fertile, healthy top soil. 

Myth 4: Chickens Attract Predators, Pests & Rodents. Fact: Predators and rodents are already living in urban areas. Wild bird feeders, pet food, gardens, fish ponds, bird baths, trash waiting to be collected all attract raccoons, foxes, rodents and flies. Modern micro-flock coops, such as chicken tractors arks, and other pens are ways of keeping, and managing, family flocks that eliminate concerns about predators, rodents and other pests. Indeed, chickens are part of the solution to pesky problems. Chickens are voracious carnivores and will seek and eat just about anything that moves including ticks (think Lymes disease), fleas, mosquitoes, grasshoppers, stink bugs, slugs, and even mice, baby rats and small snakes.

By allowing residents to keep enclosed backyard hens, we can pave the way for sustainable and local food production and healthy living right here at home. Your support can help overturn outdated ordinances and promote more sustainable living. Please sign this petition to show your support for allowing residents to keep backyard hens.