Why are more people
choosing to raise chickens in the city anyway?
“The growing popularity of urban hens can be attributed partly
to how easy it is to keep them. Getting a coop and chicken run set up
necessitates a bit of planning and work, but overall, chickens require a
fraction of the care and attention demanded by dogs and cats. And what they
lack in cuddliness, they make up for in fresh eggs — and entertainment.” Jes Burns Culinate.com
Yes, it is
easy, and its fun to raise chickens! And there are a host of other reasons to
keep chickens. A commitment to growing and eating local food is one excellent
reason to start a backyard flock. It increases the local diversity of our food
choices, while reducing the carbon footprint of our food supply at the same
time. Chickens are great recyclers, they use up those kitchen scraps (reduce
waste) and turn them into fertilizer for your garden (help produce more food!).
For some,
it’s a hobby: raising and maintaining rare heirloom breeds is the lure. For
others, it’s a culinary choice: the idea is to cook using absolutely fresh eggs,
produced from chickens selected for the taste of the egg. The best tasting, freshest
and most nutritious eggs come from a backyard flock.
A backyard
flock is also a great way to allow neighborhood kids to learn that their food
does not come from a grocery store (or at least its not made there!). Who
knows, some of these kids may be our future farmers and food producers.
Isn’t it unusual to
have chickens in a city back yard?
Not really.
Chickens have been living in people’s back yards for a long time, for thousands
of years, in fact. Many cities currently allow chickens in the city in some
capacity or another. For example,
Won’t it look messy,
be smelly and bring down my property values?
It doesn’t
have to be smelly or messy. Just like
any other pet or animal, chickens need care--cleaning out the dirty bedding in
the coop, keeping it dry and having a clean/dry area of sand or dirt for the
birds to take dust bathes in. These good maintenance practices help to keep the
birds happy, healthy and odor free. A chicken that is properly cared for is
just as clean as a dog or house bird.
Urban
chicken growers, like all good pet owners, are concerned about how their chickens
might be affecting their neighborhood. They want their chickens to be a
positive experience for everyone and they make an effort to keep an open dialog
with their immediate neighbors to ensure any concerns or issues are addressed.
The American Poultry Association advises that the rights of neighbors must be
considered when raising chickens in the city, and that structures and materials
used should blend into the neighborhood’s existing structures. Actually,
chickens can be kept in a yard so inconspicuously, that it may not be apparent
that chickens are even around. There are eggs to share, and a chicken coop
in the neighborhood can actually be a conversation starter, and thus it can
enhance a neighborhood community
Can chickens be raised
humanely in a small, backyard space?
Domestic
chickens have few if any needs that can’t be met in a small yard by a
conscientious caretaker. An enclosed shelter that gives 3 to 4 square feet per large
adult bird, and that provides protection from the elements and predation is a
fine space. A run or movable pen (a place for them to scratch around) that
allows for occasional outdoor exposure is optimal for the health of the chicken
and it improves the taste and quality of eggs. So, for four hens, a 3'x4' coop
plus a run that is roughly 3'x8' is more than adequate. But, what about winter? Chickens can live quite happily, through the
coldest winter, if they have an insulated coop or a light inside their coop.
The smaller the coop, the easier it is for them to keep it warm. Some breeds
are hardier than others, and by choosing the right breed for the climate, the
birds survive winters just fine. http://www.madcitychickens.com
How can the chicken
owner prevent the chicken coop from attracting vermin?
Raising chickens, just like raising a dog or any other pet, requires some care
and diligence, and it is not for everyone. Maintaining a clean operation is
healthy for the chickens, and it also decreases the chance of attracting vermin.
Feeding only what the chickens will eat up completely ensures that no food will
be left on the ground to attract or feed vermin. Storing feed in metal
containers also helps reduce the chance of attracting unwanted pests. Proper
composting of chicken litter (or litter removal) and keeping property clear of
nesting areas for pests are also good preventative measures.
What to do with
chicken litter?
Compost it or give it away to a gardener to compost. Chicken manure is high in
nitrogen, so it is considered "hot". It should be composted before
putting it directly onto a garden. Once it has broken down, it then becomes
perfect food for the garden.
http://www.seattletilth.org/resources/articles/compostingchickenmanure
http://gardening.wsu.edu/stewardship/compost/yardcomp/yardcomp.htm
What
about roosters?
Some people
love to hear roosters crow, and some
people hate it!
Do hens make a lot of
noise?
Hens usually make a soft, contented clucking sound--until they lay an egg. Then
they may get very excited and proud and will squawk for a few moments and then
settle back down. They do not make a ruckus in the morning like their male
counterparts and they are fast asleep in their coop by the time the sun goes
down.
Can humans catch
diseases from chickens?
As with all
pets and animals, under the right conditions, chickens can pass some disease
and infections to humans. Salmonella and respiratory infections are the most
common. Proper hand washing after handling the birds,
and wearing a mask while cleaning out coops greatly reduces the chance of these
infections. The state of
Link to backyard
biosecurity publication:
http://www.bah.state.mn.us/bah/brochures/biosecurity_birds/Backyard/Backyard%20Poultry%20ENG.pdf
What do you do if a
bird is sick? Consistent with good biosecurity
measures, immediately isolate the chicken from the rest of the flock. Consult
the County Extension Service, a veterinarian, or the Minnesota Board of Animal
Health if you have questions or concerns. Pamper the bird for awhile if you want,
but do cull the bird if it does not quickly return to complete health. Its not worth the risk or the feed to keep a sick bird
around.
Do I need to worry
about Avian Influenza – (bird flu)? Be
aware, but no need to panic.
The
following is taken from the Madison City Chicken website – please see their FAQ
section for an excellent and complete discussion of the Avian Flu issue from Ron
Kean, UW Extension
http://www.madcitychickens.com
It's
important to note that humans cannot be infected with avian flu by eating
cooked poultry products or eggs. Avian Flu is not in the
Good
biosecurity measures are important to protect backyard
flocks. Chicken owners should follow these basic common sense
guidelines. Don't allow your birds to mingle with wild birds. Don't borrow
other people's equipment. Clean your shoes and clothes if you have contact with
other people's birds. If you purchase birds, or if you bring your own birds home after a show or swap meet, keep those birds
isolated from your regular flock for at least 2 weeks, while watching for any
signs of illness in the quarantined birds. Tend to your home flock before
taking care of the new or returning birds.
For more information, visit the websites of the WHO and the CDC and Humane
Society:
http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/en/
http://birdflubook.com/g.php?id=5
In the unfortunate
event of an outbreak of avian influenza among poultry in our area, how
does making chickens legal now help or hurt outbreak control efforts?
Having a
strong network among urban chicken hobbyists will be helpful. Legalizing
chickens allows and encourages hobbyists to get to know each other, to share
knowledge and resources. Overall, it improves the understanding and use of proper
biosecurity measures, and it enables better
compliance should eradication efforts be necessary. Additionally, the existence
of small backyard flocks around the country may have an important role to play
in the eventual repopulating areas affected by avian flu outbreaks. Hobbyists
contribute to ensuring the survival or heirloom breeds, and genetic diversity.
What is the
organization supporting Chickens in
Duluth City
Chickens is a group of people who have, or want to have chickens in the city.
Visit our webpage to learn more and to contact us: http://duluthcitychickens.org
Resources:
American Poultry Association, “Helping Poultry Breeders Raise Pets in an
Urban Area, by Bart Pals.
http://www.amerpoultryassn.com/newcityhall.htm
The Easy
Chicken for Beginners: http://www.shilala.com/biosecurity.html
Just Food –
Metro Chickens: http://www.culinate.com/articles/features/Metro+chickens