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Whether or not you are allowed a chicken in your yard depends upon the city you live in. If you're in Gresham or Salem, forget about it: moves to allow urban poultry in both places were recently voted down. In Portland residents are allowed up to three hens without a permit. In Milwaukie, just south of Portland, you're allowed up to 50 chickens, including roosters, unless neighbors complain. Then noise ordinances do apply. Neighbors aren't the only thing to consider if you're in a place that does allow chickens. What are you going to do with them when they get older and stop laying?
Do you own chickens or do you want to? Why? What's the situation in your community? And how do your neighbors react?
GUESTS:
- John Carr: Backyard chicken keeper and designer of The Garden Coop
- Barbara Palermo: Animal health technician and founder of Chickens in the Yard
- John Kilian: Dentist who spoke out against backyard chickens in Gresham
- Ken Stine: Gresham planning commissioner
Tagged as: agriculture · farming · locavore
Photo credit: Silly Dog / Creative Commons
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The chevrolet El Camino was made from 1959 until 1988 thats hardly a fad son, they still make them in Australia, as the Holden UTE. The El Camino only med it's demise when GM decided that a mid sized car platfrom no longer needed a V-8 power, and the S-10 family of vehicles met the void of a gentlemen's pickup.
Comparing Chickens to El Caminos Very profound, yet stupid
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uncommonsense,
Thanks for the 'stupid.' I suggest you mind your own business unless you have something less 'common' to say. Although from reading your comments in general it is clear your self-proclaimed handle rarely (never) applies. I wasn't talking about the production of the El Camino. I was speaking about some people who find the style appealing. If you don't get the reference then, I'm terribly sorry. Bore somebody else.
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Unfortunatly I did not get the reference, I was unaware that a persons choice in automobilia was able to be used for generalizations and stereotypes, but Bravo.
I think it's very good when you can make blanket judgements against people. It must be nice to know that you think you are better than someone who Doesn't (pick one) Think, Talk, Walk, Vote, Or LOOK just like you.
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uncommonsense,
Wow, I don't even know what you are talking about. I like the El Camino! I also like chickens! Nor do I have a problem with anyone having one in their backyard or driveway. About blanket judgments, what judgement isn't? I love generalizations, they enable us to think. The default mode of the brain is to fill in the gaps with generalizations. Yes, for the record I think I am better (specifically) then you are. Gosh, I hope I am right about that. If you are such a naysayer of the blanket judgement, then read your comment and notice the blanket judgement against me. By-the-way I wear plaid, sometimes have a beard and have grown a veggie or two. I also don't rule out having chickens at some point.
'Hippies?' Below. Nice blanket judgement.
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We live within a stone's throw of Portland - yet are in unincorporated Washington County, on half an acre, with a lovely organic garden, and a flock of cage-free backyard chickens.
As a kid I heard stories from my grandparents and father about having chickens and gathering eggs. It sounded amazing and - well, a little romantic, the farm life. My entire adult life (I'm smack dab in the middle of middle aged now) I've thought how wonderful it would be to have a few chickens - for the fresh eggs, if nothing else! I have a culinary degree and appreciate fresh, local, organic food.
A couple of years ago we read up on the regulations, contacted the proper authorities, and made a start to our backyard flock. It's been a delight to have included these wonderful birds into our lives! It's been a great experience for our kids - many of their friends (with curious parents in tow) have come to learn about chicken keeping, and find out what a truly fresh scrambled egg tastes like!
I will say this - there is something therapeutic - and absolutely comical and hilarious about a bunch of chickens. I can have the most stressful day - but a few minutes in my garden with my chickens finds me laughing and smiling and thankful.
www.knownbyname.wordpress.com
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It sounds like chickens are another feature of the coburbanite (i.e. rural/urban) lifestyle. Those attracted to the lifestyle seem drawn to having some of the benefits of urban areas (living near better paying jobs, use of improved infrastructure, perhaps access to educational/cultural opportunities) with features only available to the rural lifestyle (more space, "home as castle", fewer regulations, lower taxes).
One thing I like about the Portland metro area is that it offers all of us a variety of lifestyle options on the urban-suburban-rural spectrum, courtesy in part because of the urban growth boundary and the only elected regional government in the U.S. If people have the land for chickens, take care of them, and are good neighbors like Kelly, why not let them have them?
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Leaving aside the politics and trendiness of having chickens, people should remember that they are animals, like any other pet, and require responsible care. I can't see a reason why up to 3 hens should not be allowed in the backyard; they are relatively low-maintenance pets and not difficult to keep clean and healthy in small numbers with proper facilities and attention. The problems might come with those who see them merely as egg-machines, or try to turn it into a backyard business, selling eggs or meat to the neighbors.
I have 6 hens, who do a nice job turning my kitchen waste into eggs and compost for the garden, as well as providing great entertainment (but I live in the country). I wouldn't want more than 3 hens in an urban yard. While I don't mind my neighbor's crowing rooster out here, I definitely wouldn't want a rooster next door in the city. Problem is, you usually can't tell if you're getting a rooster when you get them as chicks. Then, what do you do with the surprise rooster?
I think most problems with urban chickens could be worked out with a little common sense.
What kinds of restrictions are there on other types of birds that are kept as pets?
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We've had 3 backyard hens for five years now and they have been a joy. I do believe that they should be treated just like any other pet, and recieve vetrinary care when needed, and be kept in warm, clean, secure conditions.
It's lovely to gather fresh eggs right in your own backyard, and it's handy to have them eat bugs and kitchen scraps. They are also a lot of fun to watch.
Our girls are very friendly, and run up to us as soon as we come outside (when they are free ranging). They even like to sit in our laps!
We've never had any problems with neighbors being bothered, and there are several houses on our street that have chickens.
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I live in the inner city of Portland in an older bungalow on a substandard sized lot. I'm a gardener. After twenty years of fighting insect pests with all manner of substances, I finally got smart and paid attention to the warnings and directions on the insecticides.
HOLY GUACAMOLE!!! That stuff was dangerous....masks, goggles and protective suits, if you really want to be safe. So, put out ladybugs and used other 'old wive's tale' prescriptions. Until I got cutworms that nearly defoliated part of my rose garden....I didn't know what to do until a friend suggested I get some chickens. She assured me that even though cutworms come out only at night, when chickens roost, the 'scratching' nature of chickens would root out the problem.
So, I picked up three pullets at the county fair, brought them home and made them a coop from the abandoned bunny hutch. I lost two of my original three chickens to raccoons during that first year. But they got rid of my cutworm problem.
They also got rid of twenty years of accumulated yard debris that made up my compost crib, removed every spider below knee height in the back yard, provided some of the best eggs I've ever had. To replace my lost hens, I got day-old chicks and raised them...talk about entertainment value...that was the best. I kept three, but by then, I was hooked. I wanted more chickens.
After raising sixteen more chicks the following year, I got all legally permitted for the six I kept. The county gave me a permit for ten.
The six I have are probably too much for my little property. I didn't even have to mow my small back lawn because the chickens kept it in check. My grapes, downstream when I hose the chicken poo off my patio, are exceedingly pleased. My neighbors are happy too, in that they get to let the girls in to clear the insects and groom their gardens and they occasionally get some chicken poo for their yards.
I'm not much of a trendy guy. I was flabbergasted when, a year into being a 'beakwipe' and I found out that I was on the crest of the latest social fashion rage. Ah, well, I'd found a new entertainment, a new source of nutritious food, and a fun set of garden assistants who always come running when I step out my back door, into my garden. They're my 'entourage'.
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Our family live near downtown Vancouver WA on a half-acre lot in an older neighborhood (i.e. no McMansions). We are just outside the city limits so county rules apply to us. From what I have read the City of Vancouver allows hens but no roosters. I have not seen a limit on the number of hensbut imagine good sense would prevail. In Clark County WA we are allowed hens and roosters but we have chosen to have only a small manageable flock of 5 hens on our lot.
Chickens are not political or "trendy." They are economic. I wanted to make efficient use of my current 1/2-acre lot and get fresh eggs. One must provide adequate housing, fencing, and feed, however, one can build a coop or retrofit existing hutches and structures to accomodate the needs of chickens.
I can understand that some rules need to apply. I wouldn't want to live next door to a "cat person" with unlimited numbers of cats, or dogs for that matter. I believe that 3-5 hens are a reasonable amount for those who live on a standard city lot (50'x50'?).
Chickens do need proper care and tending and there are a number of places now teaching how to care for chickens. The Urban Farm Store in Portland (Morrison St.) is but one place offering classes.
Some of my neighbors have dogs which roam so we do not let our hens free range and our runs are made with hardware cloth to prevent predators from getting in. Speaking of dogs, and I have two dogs myself, I find that some dog owners break the animal ordinances by allowing their dogs to roam around. I would hazard a wild guess that this is more of a problem than any roaming urban hens. Hens don't bite.
In addition to getting fresh eggs and being amused by my hens, we have found our garbage waste has decreased alot. What the chickens cannot eat goes into a compost pile. We now have only one can of garbage a month of rubbish that is picked up.
I really don't see what the big fuss is about permitting urban chickens. My mother and grandmother kept chickens in London during WWII. It was one way around rationing and was promoted along with victory gardens. It can be done in a clean and aesthetic manner...the Portland Tour de Coop last July offered up a number of backyard chicken coops and henhouses that were very low impact to the neighors.
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I live on a 5,000 sq. ft lot in North Portland. I acquired a permit to raise 4 hens. The permit was easily obtained once I was able to show that I could properly and safely house my chickens. My Hen house is 15' feet from my neighbors house and they are thrilled to have our hens as neighbors.
As I write this I can see my big buff orpington eating a slug, thus allowing my garden to be pesticide free.
I have reduced my garbage by 4 bags a week at least!
I no longer need to weed any part of my garden.
My homeschooled daughter is getting an education into how eggs are made, it never gets old collecting those eggs from the nesting box!
We really value the eggs that our hens give us as we see how hard they work all day in our garden and how much time and energy goes into them laying one egg. We are very careful as to what we cook/ bake with their eggs. The flavor is unbelievable!
I feel that backyard chickens are important on so many levels. It gives a bit of calm in the city, it eliminates the need for chemical pesticides, the fertilizer is unbelievable, my imapct on the land fill is drastically reduced and the comic relief is great! Each chicken has her own personality and my chickens come to us when we call them by name.
We just love them and getting chickens was one of those things in life where we said to eachother, " Why didn't we do this sooner?!".
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For us, having hens is somewhat of a health requirement. I am allergic to most protein sources: most meat, nuts, etc. Oddly, I cannot consume chicken meat, but I am not allergic to eggs. So eggs are one of my primary foods that I consume for protein.
Eggs from backyard hens are more nutritious and healthier for you than commercial eggs. For example, range-free chicken eggs are higher in healthy Omega-3 because they eat more greens and less soy-based feed. More importantly, backyard chicken eggs are so tasty that I enjoy them without butter, oil, or salt.
We live in Gresham and have kept chickens for several years now (we thought it was legal because of the County ordinance). Our neighbors have never complained. In fact, they've only said positive comments.
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Chickens live next door to our church in the West Hills of Portland. It is fun to hear their comments during the sermon. I find the sound of chickens very soothing, plus they're good at getting rid of bugs. Being an experienced chicken farmer as a child, I'm glad I don't have to clean up the mess they leave, however.
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I live in NE around Alberta and our neighbors have chickens. We never have any complaints about them- no smell or noise. I think they bring a cool vibe to the neighborhood, we love walking by them with our dog and checking them out and see how they are doing and saying hello.
One time a different neighbor (a stranger) lost their dog and we found it and returned it to them- they rewarded us with a whole container full of fresh chicken eggs! It was very sweet and delicious!!
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We have 3 lovely ladies sharing our SE Portland backyard. I call them my "pets with benefits". They are cooped at night and have an oversized attached run, but also roam the backyard some during the day when I'm home.I warned the neighbors and talked to them before I got the chickens, and share the eggs occasionally to keep up the good vibes.
After the coop and run were built (with dumpster-dived materials and things I had sitting around), the chickens are the lowest maintenance pets I own. They are great de-stressors and fun to watch. Nothing like a game of keep away between 3 greedy hens over a fat slug!
When they are older and stop or slow down laying, I'll have a backyard full of barren old biddies. I do understand that chickens are somewhere on the line between pets and livestock, and that some may choose to have the older birds in the stockpot, but we've named ours, so I don't think we could do that. It's possible that I would seek a permit for more birds once this bunch has stopped laying, but for now, 3 hens provide more than enough eggs for us!
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I lived in inner Northeast Portland for 30 years. I can point to places that have had chickens that long. They were few in number 30 years ago, but they were there. Since moving to very rural Yamhill County, I have been selling pullets to Portlanders and other folks in the region now for five years. Last year, demand was very high. But I sold a lot of chickens five years ago, so this is no sudden trend. (I sell pullets so folks don't have to fall in love with a chick and find out that they have a problem with a rooster. Plus folks love choosing from many different breeds when they form their first flock or look for a replacement bird.)
There is a funny 1950's germ phobia base mentality out there that think chickens are "dirty." Well, chickens do clean themselves with a good dirt bath (which a little diatomacious earth will help them make themselves very clean of small bugs that like chickens.) But they are cleaner than cats or dogs, whose waste is, well, toxic and not welcome in compost piles.
Chickens are changing other folks views. We took a rooster to what had been a dog show last year and he placed third on a public vote. (We had to give his prizes of dog food to the neighbor.) Folks do make pets out of them.
Portland is very chicken friendly. But many small towns, once closely aligned with agriculture, usually is where you find the hard rules against chickens. (I don't know how to explain Salem's problem in banning chickens. Insecurity? You can buy all sorts of exotic animals in Salem pet stores that I wouldn't want in my backyard, yet they have a problem with chickens?)
What I have learned from selling chickens to Portlanders is that they come back for friendly breeds, not exotic high maintence birds. Most tell me that they have no problems with neighbors, especially if some extra eggs have been given to the neighbor. Many of my customers are neighbors of customers. That is a sign of a health trend.
The biggest problem I see with chickens is that some folks over build for them. Yes, they need fences, a place to roost and shelter from racoons plus the winter wind, but they don't need second homes! Remember lot line rules and ask neighbors usually stops complaints before they happen.
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Yeah...I'm puzzled about the locales like Salem, Hillsboro and Gresham banning chickens. These are all locations of some major agricultural history....For crepes sake, Salem is the home of the State Fair and Hillsboro is the home of the Washington County Fair...
It's like they'll accept the revenues that chickens (and other agricultural endeavors) bring to the town, but they won't allow them in. Talk about bigoted.
What? Are they running some kind of entrapment program? To get chicken owners to bring their birds to town...only to cite them for violating the local chicken ban? Sorta like a 'speed trap', only a 'chicken trap'?
Personally, I think it is suburban pretensions. They are trying desperately to pass themselves off as 'suburban', as part of the 'urban scene'. Having chickens abuses that quaint delusion, ergo they ban them....No horses, either. But you can have a dog as big as a horse. (And...Talk about danger, noise and stench. Try living next door to the fully legal dog kennel that abuses its animals with way too little room.)
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I would just like to add my comments to the other pro chicken comments I have read here today. How wonderful to see that. Having a small flock of backyard hens is a truly wonderful experience which is a rich reward for all the planning we did to get them. We researched long and hard and communicated all the time with our neighbors. We built a good,safe, and sturdy coop which is pleasing to the eye. It even has a green roof planted out with plants that are in season. I was really sad that the code in Gresham was not changed to reflect the needs of a few of its citizens. I think that with the keeping of any pets you should communicate with your neighbors and act responsibly to insure that they have no negative impact on your neighbors. I have kept many kinds of pets in my life and Chickens are by far the easiest and most fun to keep. With regards to the question"what do you do when they stop laying?" The simple answer is my pet chickens work for me. They till and they fertilize my soil, they control pests, they entertain and they feed me. And that is their way of paying into their pension fund, and I will care for them in their old age just like I would any other pet. I am very upset that my dentist decided to tell me and Gresham city council that backyard chickens will be the cause of many diseases. Surely a few hens that have plenty of fresh air, good food and care and caring, responsible owners will not be the cause of an avian flu outbreak. Look to the cruelty of Battery chickens or poorly ventilated, overcrowded intensive chicken farming for that. Thank you for your well written and informative letter, Dr.Killian but I will only be returning to your surgery when hens have teeth.
Jeremy and Lauren Smith. Gresham.
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I have rasied chickens over the years as an adult. I never knew how much a delight they could be until I took home my first flock of three. "Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner" Since then, I have raised over thirty chickens, in many diverse conditions.
Chickens are a very diverse and adaptable pet, but this can be met after a certain set of criteria has been met. First off, education and sanitation is key. But, this is a big BUT. This is no different than the average everyday household pet, yet there a re a few things that are HIGHLY REQUIRED: Fresh water, all the time. An abundant supply of food; fresh greens, proteins, grit, cracked corn, oyster shell, egg shells, oats, barley, other whole grains. This also includes cantaloupe melon, grapes, strawberries, and all other produce from the garden except rich greens (until November or so, given our climate...) This also includes all the rinds, the seeds etc. My babies especially love cukes and zukes split in half, as well as tomatoes, lettuce, beet greens, but especially the berries. Its hard not to want a chicken dinner after they have ravaged the berries that I would otherwise have had my son pick for breakfast.
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PORTLAND A NATIONAL MODEL FOR URBAN CHICKENS
Over 6 years I worked with a group of folks and founded the countries first Urban Chicken Coop tour. The idea was meant to be educational about the value of living closer to your food sources and understanding life cycles that most urban kids never get a chance to see.
Growing up back in NEw Jersey I can remember the joy as a kid seeing the Spanish , Portuguese, Polish, Italian and other ethnic neighborhood where folks still raied chicks in real City environments.
I hope other neighboring Cities to Portland can see the value in permitting citizens to raise urban chicks. The paranoia about health issues is not logically based after hundreds of year of urban chicken husbandry.
Today many major cities across America have learned fromthe model we started her ein Portland. I hope Gresham changes its view in the future.
Respectfully,
Paul van Orden
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I live in Eugene with a small flock we really enjoy. I only wonder, now that so many are keeping small backyard flocks as "pets", why the avian vetrinarians haven't realized this trend and added chickens to their list of species they will treat. We have several wonderful avian vetrinarians in our area, but none are "able" to treat chickens, only exotic birds like parrots. It seems that chickens are still seen as "expendable" in the pet health care industry?
Also, my girls would really love a rooster. I've heard there is a simple operation to remove the vocal chords that would allow for roosters to exist in the city? I feel bad that so many roosters are killed every year if a simple operation could make it so they could live in urban areas? Anyone have information on this?
Melissa Takush
Eugene Oregon
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Why do cities such as Salem reject well-reasoned proposals to allow backyard hens? After supporters of urban hens refuted common myths about odor, flies, rodents, noise, and avian flu the opposing Councilors Mayor were left with objections rooted in a disheartening distrust of the the citizens' ability to act responsibly and a lack of understanding of the sustainable lifestyle that motivates many urban flock owners.
For example, Councilor Bennett talked about dog problems and worried that chickens would increase conflict between neighbors. This is a frustratingly paternalistic argument, treating citizens like children who can't be trusted to take care of their pets. Indeed the logical extension of his argument is to further reduce citizen's freedoms by banning dogs.
Likewise, Mayor Taylor justified switching her vote to a "nay" by erroneously arguing that chickens might be dangerous to their owners' health. This false assertion begs the question: shouldn't people be able to reasonably decide for themselves if they let their children hold a chicken? Turtles are not banned and they carrie samonella. Dogs aren't illegal and they regularly bite kids and can transmit pathogens dangerous to humans in their feces. Eating junk food can lead to obesity and a host of related health problems therefore will Salem ban Twinkies and donuts because citizens can't be trusted to make healthy food choices?
Finally, Councilors Clem and Rogers asserted that chickens simply don't belong in an urban or suburban environment--the "if you want chickens, move to the country" argument. But this ignores the fact that many Salem-ites choose to live close to where we work and shop so we can bike or walk. Indeed, my family seriously considered moving to the country to raise more of our own food, but we decided instead to plant an edible landscape because we didn't want to give up our tightknit neighborhood or the one mile bike commute to work. Chickens would be a natural extension of our attempt to live more sustainably. This is a values choice that the some of the councilors just don't get. Salem pays lipservice to sustainablity -- in fact the very word came up about five times in the very council meeting in which the chicken ordinances were killed-- but hasn't learned yet to walk the talk.
-Lisa Clark-Burnell
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Over the last 12 years we have kept a flock ranging 25 to 3 chickens. While I am absolutely pro backyard chicken there is problem that needs to be addressed. RATS. Rats are a problem everywhere from sterile suburbia, urban to rural (just talk to the pest control people). Feeding pets on the back porch, having cats or dogs outside (rats eat fecal matter) black walnut trees and open composting all contribute to a wonderful rat environment. Keeping chickens without rat-proofing your pen is asking for problems. That stuff called "chicken wire" is not suitable for chickens pens - hardware cloth/wire is worth the extra cost. Deep bedding, excess food and brush piles create an ideal environment for rats. Chickens can easily be kept in a way that does not provide habitat for rats - one just needs to think about it. Irresponsible chicken ownership will shut down backyard chickens for everyone.
-Steve - Corvallis
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I live in Portland, unincorporated Wa Cty. I have 5 chickens. I wasn't sure what guidelines to follow. We followed Portland city guidelines to determine that our yard was large enough. We tried to licence the 2 chickens (note that you can have up to 30 chickens in PDX but you must get a one time licence of $31 per chicken after the first 3). We found out that we follow Wa Cty guidelines which are simple: you can have chickens. That's it.
We also had a neighbor complain. They anonymously sent letters to many neighbors. I can explain that more in detail.
I would discuss live if you want. 503 439-9393. Cynthia Thompson
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Any urbanite thinking about bringing chickens into their backyard would do well to research their property's lead paint history. Chickens aren't the most discerning of creatures, and lead paint chips scattered around the grounds can taste mighty sweet.
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I think Chickens are great, especially when they eat lead paint chips that are in your back yard, just a few CM under the surface.. Then you can give your fresh local eggs to your young kids! way to go hippies
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uncommonly dipstick of you- the hippies were bought out/sold out by the capitalists, who have no ideals whatsoever
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Capitalists have no ideals?
Do Communists?
(by definition they both have ideals.)
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In Portland you are allowed 3 without permits. The gentleman with Dave Miller has 8 chickens. Did he get a permit or is he a scofflaw? What are the requirements for permits over 3 chickens?
Isn't it easier and cheaper to just buy organic eggs?
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John Carr's not a scofflaw; he got a permit.
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You can buy great eggs at the store that are clearly as sustainable and (generally) more efficient then having your own chickens. I love eggs, I like chickens. But there is no real need to have chickens other then as a novelty. If you enjoy it great---but, don't make some moral claim about the efficacy of owning chickens that cannot be supported, or try to turn these pets into something more. If you want to find a real moral high ground become a vegan.
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It's kind of like makings an unsupported claim on the moral superiority of veganism. Talk about a fad.
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I am not a vegan but they have a better case, if any case should ever be made at all.
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Actually, even organic so-called free-range eggs from the grocery store are inferior to eggs from backyard hens who have an opportunity to scratch around in the grass or in grass clippings for bugs. According to scientific tests, eggs from hens with access to grass have:
• 1/3 less cholesterol
• 1/4 less saturated fat
• 2/3 more vitamin A
• 2 times more omega-3 fatty acids
• 3 times more vitamin E
• 7 times more beta carotenethan commercially raised eggs.
(Here's the link to that study and more details: http://www.motherearthnews.com/Real-Food/2007-10-01/Tests-Reveal-Healthier-Eggs.aspx)
Eggs labeled free-range from the store don't really have access to the outdoors. Commericially raised hens live in a giant building that has a a tiny door to a dirt pad, but the birds would have to squeeze pass thousands of other birds to get outside. Also, those birds are all nearly genetically the same, making them more vulnerable to disease, thus increasing the need for antibiotics.
Finally, eggs from a backyard hen are much cheaper than comparable organic eggs from a farmer's market. I've done the calculations: feed and hen costs for non-organic eggs in the backyard are less than an dollar per dozen. For organic feed, one can raise a dozen eggs for less than $2.00. That's assuming one isn't feeding ones chickens any yard/garden waste which reduces the feed costs even more. And one doesn't need to build a palace for the hens. Coops can be built inexpensively.
There is a sustainable claim in addition to this: chickens reduce yard waste-- they eat it, they reduce the need for pesticides in the garden since they eat bugs, and their waste can be composted reducing the need to buy compost that's shipped across the state. Chickens are a terrific part of a sustainable mini-ecosystem in ones yard.
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LCB.
First, a backyard is hardly a free range pasture. Equating the nutritional benifits of those eggs to you're own is a little suspect.
Second, Organic eggs = no antibiotics/no growth hormones.
Third, I eat approx. 1 carton of eggs every month. I spend about $56 dollars a year for organic eggs. I don't see how it could possibly be cheaper to raise chickens; what with the associated housing, feeding, and personal time costs.
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Are members of this urban chicken movement writing humane treatment standards and enforcement into their ordinances?
I generally think having chickens could be a good idea, but I live in fear of it becoming a wide practice. I work for a nonprofit dog organization. I visit households where dogs are terribly mistreated, where they live in waste that is never picked up, and sometimes even have their collars embed in their skin. Our animal-care laws are minimal and poorly enforced. And we're a society with fairly high regard for dogs. So I fear the abuse and neglect we'd see if the general public starts to think everyone is entitled to have some chickens in their yard. I think for these animals would be even more lacking than enforcement of dog laws.
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To the lady who was confronted at her door after a city inspector peeked over her fence: Did the city inspector have a WARRANT? If not, any evidence gathered would be inadmissible, under the 4th Amendment. Criminal cases have been tossed out and had evidence gathered by such method excluded.
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Well, I like Law and Order as much as the next guy, if he could see over, past or through the fence it is in public view, and not covered.
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Well, uncommonsense, I, too, enjoy a good L&O minimarathon, but the information I was citing about the inadmissibility of such evidence was not from an episode of L&O (or even the earlier LA LAW), but from an actual case that I read about in a college text. It likely also appeared in the news, so in a way it was "ripped (dsh-dsh!) from the headlines."
I am glad that we are able to have an intelligent and spirited debate about this, and if I can find that textbook again, I will add the case citation.
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I think back yard farm animals are an annoyance and a health hazard - most don't know and won't learn how to keep the waste from migrating to where it should not - it is also an annoyance to neighbors who choose not to 'participate'
There are also things, diseases like the avian flu, to consider - escape into the neighbors yards and eating their garden flowers et c, danger and temptation to small children and curious teens; and again, properly managing the waste- the feathers, the unused feed, the excrement, and whatever noises the animals make, and the smell, and and and - sure you think it's cute, but you are unfairly taxing the neighbors' good will
I don't think any animals should be allowed in residential districts except cats and dogs, and people show pooper-scooper their cats as well as their dogs
In other more civilized places, there are community gardens and animal keeps: this should be our model, rather than forcing the neighbors to put up with our own, more likely than not, unsuccessful, experiments -there is a lot of knowledge that these experimenters lack that can turn an innocuous endeavour into a dangerous exploit- in a residential area, one is taking too many chances with the health and welfare of those close by
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While I appreciate your concerns, the compromise of living in a populous city means that often we all have to put up with neighbours and proclivities that we don't enjoy.
Cities often have silent detriments to their inhabitants health in the form of pollution from traffic, chemical emissions, sewage, etc., that I feel are a much greater threat than those of organic origin that humans have lived with for centuries of our development.
The people I know who have relationships with animals that they find meaningful, whether a chicken or a dog are often responsible, caring folks that I would prefer as a neighbour.
I have had to live next door to raging alcoholics, people with domestic violence problems, and one fellow who insisted my dogs never stopped barking on days when they weren't even in my home (and this was a ''high end'' neighbourhood). These folks were definitely a hazard to my health and quality of life, not to mention an annoyance......
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I received my chickens as a mother's day gift, after lobbying for years to get them. I have not been disappointed. I LOVE my girls. They are sociable, funny, have distinct personalities and each time I gather the eggs (which is every morning, mind you) I get a little thrill as I am witness to this simple miracle. Also, the eggs are without compare. I cannot over emphasize how disgusting store bought eggs taste to me now. One more thing... our birds initially free ranged all over our yard, and neighbors came out of the woodwork to tell us their stories of growing up with chickens. It was very sweet. I would advocate for anyone to get chickens.. it has been an absolutely wonderful experience!
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I don't have chickens, but my neighbor does, and I love to wake up in the summer to the sounds of them clucking.
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I worry about city chickens for this reason below.
This is a picture I took of this rooster dumped in Oaks Bottom wild life park here in Portland. I never new his fate as he has been impossible to catch.
Having "city chickens may be an eager trend. People have a hard time telling the young the sex between roosters and hens. getting stuck with a noisy rooster may lead people to more actions such as dumping the poor creatures.
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John Kilian mentioned that Forest Grove doesn't allow chicken keeping, but as of March of this year, that ordinance has been approved and is now in place. I keep chickens to the delight of neighbors and local children. We keep a very clean backyard facility composting droppings for our organic garden. Like John said, education is critical for anyone wishing to start a flock. Chicago, New York and Los Angelos are just a few of the major cities that allow urban chickens. It's absurd that bedroom communities of Portland are resisting the movement.
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Steve in Corvallis,
We've had chickens in our backyard for five years. Currently there are 11. They live in a 7' X 9' straw bale chicken house, and run free except for the flower beds and the patio. Happy chickens can be kept out of places with a 2' high fence. The smell isn't an issue, as I keep six inches of straw on the floor. By sprinkling some sunflower seeds (they are very spoiled chickens) in the straw they keep it from getting soggy and stinky. Finally, killing old hens sounds like the logical thing to do, but when they all have names, it becomes very difficult, so I've taken to calling my place "Cook's Geriatric Chicken Ranch" as we are unlikely to kill them.
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I am worried about city chickens for the fact they can be dumped. Male and female chicks cane be very hard to be determined. Roosters are not the more popular of the two. This is a picture I submitted to the Sellwood Bee. It is a Rooster that has been dumped in Oaks Bottom wild life refuge. I nicked named him "Sasquatch" because of his elusively and inability to be captured.
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As a migratory bird biologist I would like to address two points about topics mentioned in this story. First, Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza is primarily a POULTRY disease with serious human health consequences. Wild birds are NOT the reservoir for HPAI but can help spread it from poultry outbreaks. Worldwide most of the spread of HPAI has been been in poultry and poultry products with secondary spread by wild birds. HPAI has NOT been found in North America. The current health threat from HPAI is minimal in backyard chickens but if it became established proper biosecurity such as keeping your chickens isolated from wild birds and other chickens will be vitally important.
Also since you mentioned the eagle attempting to take a backyard chicken, you should let your readers know that migratory birds are protected by Federal law. It is illegal to kill, wound or capture any wild bird even a hawk, eagle or owl while attempting to protect your chickens. Keep you chickens in a properly designed and constructed coop will help you from having to deal with predators.
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This is a a fun show.
Many years ago I read a funny book titled something like "Don't get Perconal With A Chicken" (yes, a "C" instead of "S", I distinctly remember that).
A friend of mine told me about some neighbors who named their pet chicken "Dinner".
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Adding my two cents... We have three ladies, who we love dearly! We got our first egg last week on my birthday and I could not have asked for a better gift. I grew up on a farm and currently reside with multiple cats and dogs, and the chickens are by far the easiest pets to maintain (and they provide us with breakfast!) and have had the cheapest vet bills. And I could just sit and watch them for hours!
As with any animal, it is about responsible parenting/ownership. Just as there will be bad dog parents, there will be bad chicken parents. It's much easier to acquire another pet willy-nilly, than it is to acquire chickens.
And living near 82nd in NE Portland, the sound of our chickens are the least of anyone's concerns... With the freeway noise, the sounds of crows and gulls in the park, sirens, and neighborhood children, our chickens and their clucking are a mute point.
Thanks for considering this topic!
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My grandma raised chickens for part of her "butter and egg" money and I helped in all parts of that in the summers, throwing out oyster shells for calcium and cracked corn for feed, gathering eggs, candling them, chopping off heads and tossing the bodies onto the basement woodpile and then dipping them into boiling water and picking them clean, even to eating chicken and dumplings for dinner.
Good memories.
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I venture a guess that Mr. Kilian is not being quite honest about how his father contracted the disease from chickens. I'd be willing to bet that he got this from a commercial chicken operation, a CAFO with thousands of chickens in one area. These operations are commonly filthy dirty and rife with disease, and completely different from a backyard with a few hens.
We raise chickens on our farm which is in a rural area and they are delightful. We have more acreage than most, but the whole secret is to keep the scale right. CAFOs have far too many chickens for the area and thus shouldn't be compared to a backyard with a handful of hens who are well cared for.
We give backyard chicken classes on our farm because we believe it's a smart idea for people to know how to care for their hens so everyone is healthy. No eggs taste better than those you grow yourself. I hope more people find the joy that these backyard hens can bring. They really are delightful.
Jacqueline Freeman
Friendly Haven Rise Farm
www.FriendlyHaven.com
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In Salem, the Chickens in the Yard group that Barb Palermo represented really covered all the bases about making sure their hens were well maintained and consented to registrations and inspections by the City.
Also their support was rather overwhelming. 12 of the 20 neighborhood associations that represented the largest neighborhoods in Salem were in support. Also public testimony resulted in over 30 people speaking in support and only 4 against. And emails, phone calls and letters were about 160 for and 30 against. The City Council vote did NOT represent the will of the people.
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I work with a nursery that has sold chicks for seven years in Portland (& raised one hundred chickens of 15 different breeds in Sherwood this past year for fellow backyard enthusiasts). The nursery receives countless visitors who stop in simply to visit the flock we keep or to ogle the chicks. The level of joy the gentle art of chickenkeeping brings to the people is profound. Personally, I hear regularly from my own clients, unsolicited-- on how their birds are doing and how much they love them. Many of the coops I have seen are absolutely palatial!
Poultry keeping adds a dimension to the urban life that is lacking-- a closer connection to nature & the natural food cycle. The people I have encountered offer their birds veterinary care, and are thoughtful about hygiene. Anyone with common sense realizes that animal housing needs to be kept clean and handwashing is a constant practice after engaging with any animal-- even human ones.
Raising roosters is often an unfortunate outcome of chicken raising. I have met folks that ate their boys; rehomed them with farms, etc. Geren's feed store in Boring, Oregon offers a "Critter Corner" for placing roosters. While I am sure there are people who will dump them indiscriminately, there are always irresponsible people who dump dogs & cats (sometimes even children).
It's curious to me that cities discuss noise as a issue when the urban environment is rife with obnoxious sounds-- sirens blaring, traffic, garbage trucks at wee hours, dogs barking, etc. Concerns about smells, etc., in a setting that often has sewage overflows, excessive garbage, and other urban ills is rather comical. I have walked by homes where I can smell the fabric softener wafting out of their laundry rooms; walked by businesses that emit powerful chemical vapours, and find chickens are a pretty insignicant addition to the metropolitan fragrance cloud.
We forget as a culture that it has only been around the last hundred years or so that domestic livestock has been pushed out of the western urban landscape. Whenever I visit other countries that still include these creatures in the environment, it feels much more civilized.
Michelle, Phasian Farms
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I had neighbors with chickens. One neighbor was agreeable to moving them to the far side of their yard due the noise and my dogs were extremely bothered by them and barked at them constantly. A second neighbor then got chickens and refused to move them away from my fenced yard. With two neighbors having chickens, I had excessive noise issues and was often woken up in the morning by the noise nuisance. I complained to the city and both neighbors were cited and the chickens removed after a year long legal process. Both parties used every legal option to postpone the court date and ruling, thank goodness they finally lost the court battle. The amount of time and money spent to get this done was incredible. The REAL issue with chickens is not so much the smell or cleanliness. The REAL issue is noise and chickens, yes hens, make axcessive noise constantly and continuously all day long, especially after laying eggs. The more chickens, the more noise. If chickens can be kept silent, I have no problem with them, but if they wake me up or prevent me from enjoying the peace and tranquility of my 1/4 acre property in the city limits, then the neighbors are responsible for the loss of enjoyment of my home.
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A hen's loudest clucking is roughly 60 decibels. Human conversation is also roughly 60 decibels. A barking dog ranges from 80-110 decibels. While it's unfortunate that the second neighbor couldn't/wouldn't move the coop, it seems surprising that "nochickens" found a few hens loud enough to be disturbing. Having grown up around hens I can attest that they are quieter by far than lawn mowers, kids playing, leaf blowers, and certainly quieter than "nochickens" barking dogs. The chicken owners would probably argue that at 80-110 decibels "nochickens'" barking dogs were the greater nuisance.
--L. Clark-Burnell
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I am a veterinarian in Bend. There have been known infections of H1N1 in poultry. Not in this country but in Chili in turkeys.
However I am in support of raising chickens in an urban setting. I do not believe that the risk of having chickens in the back yard greatly raises the risk of disease. It definitely is a great tool for families to teach their children where the food comes from. It is a much heathier food source and it is a great way to utilize the organic waste from food preparation that can be composted or would otherwise be put into the garbage disposal. The practice is ultimately a step toward sustainable living.
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Ducks, when given enough clean water to clean daily, are cleaner, less disiese and more eggs per yer.
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I woke up to a rooster crowing a couple of months ago, I couldn't find it and I have not heard it since. No roosters allowed in Bend so I was surprised. That's the only time in some forty years here.
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The conversation about killing chickens strikes a deep chord in me--especially the call from the father who had 7 & 9 year-olds. As a child, we lived in the country and raised chickens and other animals as pets and for food. Whenever it came time for slaughtering however, I was always horrified to see our animals die, and in fact all 4 of us kids would sit around the dinner table not touching the meat. My dad eventually gave up on trying to raise animals for meat for this reason, and in fact I credit these experiences with my own becoming a vegetarian at age 17, which is a path I have followed ever since. My reasoning was then--and remains-- that I will not pay others to kill animals when I myself will not. IF I were starving, I would eat animals, but the reality is that I am able to fulfill my nutritional needs with vegetables, fruits, and dairy products including eggs. My own 9 year-old son is free to experiment with eating meat or not, we do not buy or cook meat in our house but will allow him to explore in restaurants or with friends. I feel deeply for children who are faced with this dilemma but are not allowed a voice in the matter.
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I typed my other comments very quickly and with several typos and just wanted to add a few notes grabbing a coffee on break:
When a small group of us founded the first Urban Chicken Coop tour in the United States over six years ago we never knew how far the Urban Chicken Movement would be only 6 or 7 years later. The event was started as a small education event for local non profit Growing Gardens. www.growing-gardens.org It has blossomed into a much larger event then any one of us have ever have imagined.
My involvement is uniquely broad including years volunteering on the Board at Growing Gardens and in my professional life where I have urban environmental enforcement duties that can sometime interface chickens. I have sat on the recent Multnomah County Animal Task Force.
As an environmental scientist and law enforcement professional of almost 20 years, I understand the reality that dogs and cats are a much more serious health vector for Oregon then chickens. None the less, I would encourage a reasonable amount of additional regulation to help monitor any potential future health issues. The more conservative perspectives about chickens being as bad vectors as rats may not be true , but after seeing a few rare situations of poorly kept chickens, I suggest that cities add education programs and a chicken registration program. If we had any issue ranging form a serious earthquake to a health epidemic, we would be rightfully prepared to be humane and healthy.
All that said, I have a County Specified Animal permit to have 12 birds. The chickens and Indian Runner ducks we keep have been a wonderful addition to our neighborhood (according to our neighbors!!!). I encourage new chicken and duck owners to first talk with your neighbors and educate them about backyard birds rather then just thrust them on your community.
HAPPY HEN RAISING!!!
Paul van Orden
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Paul- Thank you for all your efforts! I work with Pistils; keep chickens & Indian Runners myself. Many of us are indebted to you and your colleagues.
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Don't get me wrong, I'm all for urban gardening and organic living but I have a serious problem city chickens. I live in SE Portland and my neighbors have chickens.
First of all, they attached their coop against MY fence which is against city code, I believe the minimum is 5 feet. This could happen to you too!
The chickens scratch at the ground, kicking up dirt and debris and feces which comes through the fence into my yard. The dust floats into the air and covers my car in dust and probably feces as well.
All summer long the hens made all kinds of noise starting at 5:00am, their clucking and crowing and shrieking goes on for about an hour. At times it's as noisy as a large barking dog 20ft from your bedroom window when your trying to get some sleep.
For the first time in my life I've found huge RATS inside my enclosed compost bin, I know the neighbors have had problems with rats stealing their chickens food, now apparently they are my problem too.
Despite what has been said on-air, chickens poop can be extremely "foul" smelling. Frequently this year during the heat of summer, we had to close our windows because the stench of our neighbors chickens poop was choking the air with a smell so bad that it makes your eyes water. Perhaps they are doing something wrong, but that's what happens when you depend on people to do the right thing.
In conclusion, your neighbors chickens will pollute your yard with dust, dirt, feces, bad smells, loud noise, and rodent infestation.
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All I know is that their is a lot worst neighbors then a bunch of chickens.
Charter Member of "Chickens Unlimited"
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I spend quite a bit of time painting my chickens, as they love to hold still, and as I listen to them rattling on I have tried to decipher exactly what it is they are saying and I think I have come up with a rough translation: "all this here is mine", and "what are you doing, can I help?"
And they ARE a big help, especially when moving heavy objects and raking leaves into piles.
Yes, chickens cause problems but the eggs are worth the trouble. Those dark yolks, hard shells and whites that are firm, shout health.
We put an electric fence and around the roost and built another one to keep the neighbor dog from mauling our girls.
The chickens behind the fence are crowded and sometimes it stinks. They don't get the care I think they require and since I feel guilt at not interceeding on their behalf, I turn to philosoply.
Our first chicken came from across the fence, an escapee from cramped conditions and megar rations. When one of my young girls was unable to lay I handed her across, destined for a good meal at last. Sort of. I knew they would eat her. But these are tough economic times. And my first chicken came from them.
Ah, life if full of choices and I am satisfied Milwaukie allows chickens. Fifty would be a bit of a problem however on a small lot.
I can talk to the chickens, and while the advice is a bit weak, they are swell listeners. I have saved a lot of money in therapy.
Loretta
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I am dismayed at all the fear-mongering, misinformation and outright lies regarding chicken keeping. Chickens are less noisy than dogs. Chickens produce less waste than dogs. Chickens are SILENT from dusk to dawn. Chickens do not bark at neighbors. Chickens do not bite neighbors. Chickens do not roam the neighborhood and kill songbirds (the #1 threat to our bird population is cats). Backyard chickens HAVE NOT passed diseases to humans in the United States. Chicken waste can be composted into your garden (cat and dog waste may not). Chickens produce a healthy food that humans can eat. The arguments against a small backyard flock remind me of the arguments against integration in the 50s and 60s. A lot of hysteria, a lot of fear-mongering, no facts.
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We have learned at Growing Gardens that education on food issues and nutrition goes a long way in our modern processed food culture. This has been a great conversation and very productive in my mind.
My applause to the Think Out Loud staff and especially Julie Sabatier for bring this discussion to the larger community.
Thanks again,
Paul van Orden
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Hi, I'm Kathy and I own hens. I used to have four.
"Stella", "Lilly", "Chive" and "Philpot".
I now only have 2. I LOVE my hens and am the happiest girl.
I feel lucky Portland allows this.
In my home state, Kentucky, the larger cities do not allow this yet and I know so many people who really want it to become legal to own at LEAST 3.
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I would love to have chickens!They are relaxing to watch and fun for the kids!
I learned a lot of responsibility and good work ethic as a young child collecting eggs everyday two to three times a day. It was fun too!
Chickens are great for the yard and garden! Chickens get rid of bugs and fertilize the lawn and garden as well. They are also quiet compared to a dog! Not to mention fresh yummy eggs every day.
Only they are not allowed in Hillsboro yet! This Month (Feb. 2010) the City of Hillsboro is having an open house or two to gain feedback on changing there animal codes. I am hoping to go and make a difference for those who live in Hillsboro and want back yard chickens.
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Comments are now closed.
Chickens are trendy, the El Camino of pets (or pests). Don't they go with everything now? The beards, the brick ovens, the roller derby, the cyclists, the plaids (all over), the veggie patch. If we can't go forward, backward it is. It is too hard to keep up, it is easier to digress into smoke and mirrors and chickens.
Part of our lives are propelled ahead, yet in other areas we are grasping further and further into the past. Riding my retro Pashley bicycle, to the farmers' market for some heirloom veggies, with an i-phone in my pocket and a tweet a second. Advocating the science behind global warming, yet declining a vaccine, because I'll take my chances on Airborne. Flying to Amsterdam and public-transportation-ing it when I get there. We will comprise a little, but only so far. A little---better then nothing? Perhaps. Perhaps. If I could turn back time...if I could find a way...then baby, maybe, maybe... Is the urban chicken here to stay? I don't think so. It will disappear about as fast as Lidia Bastianich's hair.