Debate: Should Chickens Be Allowed In The City?

Arguments FOR Chickens In Cities:

• Keeping your own chickens is wholesome, inexpensive and empowering.
• Chickens are a sustainable way to provide eggs to families and neighbors.
• Roosters excluded, hens are actually quieter than barking dogs.
• Chicken droppings can make great fertilizer for communities.
• Backyard poultry reduces one’s carbon footprint, requiring less gas to get to market.
• You can see that your chicken is untreated with hormones, clean and safe.
• Eggs taste better and fresher, and are also less expensive.
• Chickens are the ideal educational pet for families.
• They are great pest control against unwanted bugs and dispose of food scraps that may otherwise end up in landfills.

Arguments AGAINST Chickens In Cities:

• Chickens are noisy and there is no way to silence them once they get going.
• Chickens produce a lot of droppings, which create an unpleasant odor.
• The birds may attract predators like raccoons, fox, coyotes, stray dogs and wild cats.
• If improperly sealed, chicken feed attracts disease-transmitting vermin like rats.
• A small city plot may not be enough space to raise a bunch of chickens humanely.
• Enforcement of the law will cost cities extra money for inspection and enforcement.
• Slaughtering chickens in the city can be disturbing and unsanitary.
• If people stop caring for their pets, they may wind up in animal shelters.

Do you want chickens in your city? Here’s what you can do:
Visit The City Chicken website to learn more about local chicken laws and how to get your own.

Article: Jennn FusionTwitter: @jennnfusion