DULUTH CITY CHICKENS FAQ
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, New York City, Minneapolis, Portland, OR and Atlanta, GA all allow chickens. Link to a list of city chicken laws: http://home.centurytel.net/thecitychicken/chickenlaws.html
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! †Minneapolis allows roosters; Madison does not. The allowance of roosters
is city and even neighborhood specific. If a city lot is isolated enough, and if
neighbors approve, a rooster can be just fine in a city. But, don't you need a rooster in
order to get eggs? Nope! A hen will lay eggs regardless--they just
won't be fertile eggs.
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 Minnesota publishes a handbook that explains the simple steps needed to keep both flocks and humans safe when raising chickens in a backyard operation.
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 ñ (bird flu)?††† Be aware, but no need to panic.
The
following is taken from the Madison City Chicken website ñ 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 United States. Currently in the U.S., flocks are being monitored for
signs of avian influenza. Customs and immigration officials are watching
closely for anyone attempting to smuggle birds into the country, or for anyone
who has recently been in contact with poultry in countries with known
outbreaks. †
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 and how do we get a hold of them?
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
Madison City Chickens: http://www.madcitychickens.com
The Easy Chicken for Beginners: http://www.shilala.com/biosecurity.html
Just Food ñ New York City: http://www.justfood.org/cityfarms/chickens/ ( 'city chicken guide')
Metro Chickens: http://www.culinate.com/articles/features/Metro+chickens
Seattle Tilth http://www.seattletilth.org/resources/articles/compostingchickenmanure