People today are becoming more and more concerned about where their food is coming from. From pesticides to antibiotics to GMO's, our food is becoming more and more processed and less and less safe. Concerned citizens have started a movement in America that is about knowing where our food is coming from. We're tired of reading a list of chemicals in our food. We're tired of knowing that the eggs we buy at the grocery store are as much as six weeks old!  We're taking charge of our health and growing our own fruits and vegetables and yes, raising our own chickens.

Being able to raise a flock of chickens is one of the things that could make Irving a beacon for people who are concerned about growing their own food. With large lots and close proximity to Dallas, Irving is the ideal location for the new breed of urban flock keeper. Irving should stay friendly to people who want to raise and even breed chickens. And yet the City of Irving is trying to take away the rights of wonderful people who only care about the health of their families.

Chickens are a wonderful addition to most backyards. Backyard chicken keepers like myself are proud of our flocks and dote on them. We spoil them. We feed them healthy foods and treats and in return they give us healthy, fresh eggs. Most people pour over the plans for chicken coops for months before they build just the right one. We research chickens until we pick our favorite breed. We join Facebook groups about chickens and ask a million questions. We care about our flocks and they become valued family members and pets. We're grateful to our flocks. They don't just provide us with eggs but they also offer us amazing pest and weed control. Their bedding becomes compost for our gardens. They're also amazing company and we even joke about them being "better than therapy."

Hens are generally very quiet and create no more noise in a neighborhood than wild birds. The once a day "egg song" that some hens sing after laying an egg is joyful and very short. So establishing an arbitrary limit of 6 hens on flock keepers makes no sense. Larger flocks of 12 are allowed in nearby cities like McKinney with great success.

Roosters can be noisy but also have their place in a flock. They provide protection for their "ladies." Flock keepers who keep them all have stories of their hens being saved from predators by savvy roosters. Children who see the process of eggs being hatched can learn about genetics and breeding. And purebred roosters are an important part of breeding programs for youngsters participating in 4-H programs or showing their birds. Roosters do have a place in urban flocks. And lets not forget that dogs are just as noisy!

We realize that there are people who own chickens who don't take care of them. And that there are people who are involved in illegal activities like cock fighting. Those are a small minority of the people who raise chickens in Irving. Please don't punish all of us for the mistakes of the few.

We implore the City of Irving to make this city a beacon for people who care about their families. Attract people to Irving by making a FAIR chicken ordinance allowing larger flocks and a limited number of roosters. Tell the Dallas/Fort Worth area that Irving is THE place to be if you want to plant a huge garden, raise chickens and still be only 20 minutes from downtown Dallas. Make owning chickens (and even roosters) something to be proud of. Invite flock owners to show off their coops and flocks in a yearly coop tour. Get kids involved in 4-H programs and show them that raising their own chickens and growing their own food is important. And most of all, support the responsible flock owners who are raising happy, healthy flocks.