Should Backyard Chickens Be Legal in Urban Areas?
Two years ago Providence followed a national trend and became one of the first urban areas in Rhode Island to legalize raising small backyard chicken flocks. Residents for the first time were able to raise up to six chickens and have the benefit of eating fresh eggs. Recently, Cranston’s Mayor Allan Fung vetoed an ordinance similar to Providence's that would allow residents to raise small backyard flocks, posing the question: should backyard chickens be legal in urban areas? What are the benefits and concerns about backyard chickens?
Benefits:
There are several good reasons why you should look into raising your very own backyard chickens.
- Eggs from backyard chickens are healthier.
- Eggs from backyard chickens are tastier.
- Chickens are natural defenders against insects: they will protect your yards!
- You know where you're getting your eggs from!
- Chicken compost (high in nitrogen) is awesome for your yard and garden!
- Children can learn the responsibility of raising chickens
- They’re fun to raise, learn about and even watch in the yard!
With these reasons and more, there is enough evidence to see why many urban areas are hopping on the trend of making it legal to raise backyard chickens. Now on to the concerns of raising chickens not only in urban areas but in general.
Concerns:
- Noise (If you have a rooster you know how this feels.)
- Expenses
- Smell
- Damage to soil or garden
- Predators
These can be pretty big concerns, and I didn’t even list why Cranston vetoed the ordinance. Cranston has had a rat problem over the last couple of years, and many residents are concerned that with more backyard chickens, the bigger the rat population could get. Three major factors found that residents and the mayor thought would be deal-breakers were: rats, noise and property values.
Noise is an obvious complaint of neighborhoods and this would only happen if owners raise roosters. The last argument is property values of homes and whether or not it deters buyers from owning a home next to one that raises chickens. Warren and Barrington both passed ordinances recently allowing owners to raise chickens. Many other house markets in Rhode Island allow the ownership of chickens. As stated in the Providence Business Journal, “The fact that chickens are legal in many of the state’s hottest property markets would seem to point to flocks now being considered desirable by potential buyers.”
So what do you think? Should they be legal? Please comment and let us know what you think of the issue!
Ian Manning
10:51 am on Thursday, January 10, 2013
I think that people should be allowed to have back yard chickens as long as they own the land and are capable of taking care of the animals. Maybe there should be an amendment to the law that requires a certain amount of land? That way the chickens have enough room to roam and it would help to distance them from neighbors. An adequate chicken coup should be required as well. That way everyone wins.
ratcat1
3:52 pm on Thursday, January 10, 2013
Chickens are a great idea but roosters are not, obviously.The biggest potential negative ,in my mind, is the ammonia smell of the manure. Limiting people to only 6 chickens/household might eliminate this problem.The coop design is another area in which standards are needed. All in all, it's a great idea.......
sue lewis
5:14 pm on Thursday, January 10, 2013
Isnt most of EG zoned as Farm land ? If so, then what is the issue ?
Stephen Briggs Jr
4:39 pm on Friday, January 11, 2013
Hi Sue, some areas in EG are yes. But towns and cities such as Providence and Cranston mentioned aren't zoned for farm land and have strict regulations on raising chickens or ban it all together.
Elizabeth McNamara
5:49 pm on Thursday, January 10, 2013
Sue,
Many neighborhoods, such as the Hill where I live, do not allow chickens. But that's a good question and I will find out just where chickens ARE allowed. Thanks.
Leave RI
7:50 pm on Thursday, January 10, 2013
Curious..not smart aleky..if that's a word..does it apply to turkey, pig etc?
Dianne Muzalewski
8:11 pm on Thursday, January 10, 2013
I do think they should be allowed if you have at least 10,000sf of land. You should plan on investing a bit of time to caring for your flock but If you keep a clean coup and you have a mobile coup/run there is little to no degrading of the lawn. Maybe a few holes for a dust bath here and there but the benefits of raising chickens far outweigh the chore of having to patch a bit of lawn here and there. The food cost is fractional in comparison to dogs and other pets. There is no smell to worry about what so ever if you keep a clean coup and as far as rats go if you put the food away there is not going to be an issue. They are a delight to watch as they roam around the yard. After you sit and watch them for a while you suddenly realize where all the old adages come from so "Don't be a chicken" dive in a get a few. You won't be disappointed!
Ted Geisel
8:25 pm on Thursday, January 10, 2013
SK already has an ordnance. You need to be 40 feet back from the property line. You can have as many as you'd like though. I believe the only animals SK limits are swine. You can only have one.
Tim
3:58 am on Friday, January 11, 2013
It's my understanding only the coop has to be 40' from the property line. As long as they're fenced in, laying hens aren't a problem to the neighbors. It's the roosters that are the problem. They crow if they see a match lit 2 blocks away.
No roosters = No problems with the neighbors.
Ted Geisel
9:26 am on Friday, January 11, 2013
You are correct Tim. I should have been more clear. The language from the code is "Buildings for housing livestock shall be at least 40 feet from any property line; however if greater yard setbacks are required in Section 401, then the greater requirement shall be met."
Mr. Lincoln
7:35 am on Friday, January 11, 2013
Roosters are the worst neighbors one can EVER have, I know! Why don't you just get a dog who barks all day long and could wake your neighbor up every day (oh, that's illegal). Or how about just going over and ringing your neighbor's doorbell every 28 seconds starting at 6:17 every morning (that's illegal also). No, just get a rooster, because that will do the exact same thing, but legally! Well, this individual hates his neighbor the rooster. Roosters should only be allowed with a neighbor's permission - just like Tim stated outside of a 2 block radius. Otherwise they're just a nuisence. And can somebody explain their purpose to me - I understand it's not to get eggs from chickens correct? Then WHY OH WHY????? PS This rant has gone on too long because this writer woke up too early this morning - can you guess why!
Stella
9:24 am on Sunday, January 13, 2013
The only purpose for the rooster is to have more chicks. They are not necessary for egg laying. And they can be quite mean. Usually a neighbor who owns one and doesn't care about disturbing those around them is not very nice either!!
Stella
9:54 am on Friday, January 11, 2013
I was actually tortured by a crazy neighbor with a rooster. The neighbor was mad at us so she moved her chicken coop as close as legally possible (exactly 40 feet) from my property line and right next to my windows. It was a nightmare! And she knew I was undergoing surgery for a cancer scare. Had to get the police involved. Chickens are great and I buy my eggs from a lovely woman with backyard chickens. But no rooster; they be allowed unless you have many acres and they are kept locked up in the evening.
EG Parent
6:15 pm on Friday, January 11, 2013
yes- they should be allowed... Heck I have 12 turkeys in my yard every day!
LiveLaughLove
6:55 pm on Friday, January 11, 2013
Recently, I started a backyard flock--hens only. They are a constant source of delight. They eat leftover food, and a bit of chicken feed, provide me with eggs and compost, prepare my garden in the spring, and are fun to watch. We are currently building them a beautiful and innovative coop in our yard, and plan to raise a few chicks in the spring. What a wonderful and productive hobby this has been!
Ted Geisel
8:20 am on Monday, January 14, 2013
Stella, it sounds like you were in a horrible situation. From what you have said though it sounds like you have a jerk neighbor problem. Have they tried to terrorize you since then? I have a neighbor who takes off on his loud (but stock) motorcycle early in the morning most summer days. I don't have a motorcycle problem though. I have a neighbor that is a jerk. Take away the rooster and they'll play loud music, take that away and they'll have their dog defecate in your yard, take away their dog... you get the idea.
One other important thing to note is that in RI if you want to buy baby chicks you need to buy at least a dozen to comply with RI law. While it is possible to buy a dozen and then split them with someone else this law does tend to lend itself to larger flocks. I do realize however that many people just ignore the law.
Barbara
3:12 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
I would love to have a backyard flock, but am in an area of NK where we have frequent coyote sightings, as well as fisher cats.
Stella
8:23 am on Wednesday, January 16, 2013
To Ted, yes I have a crazy neighbor and I've been through the loud music, parties, a motorcycle, etc. but at least there are concrete laws that can stop that type of thing. Roosters should be regulated and are in most communities (thank goodness).
And to Barbara, yes they bring in the fishers and coyotes. We had to change a pack of coyotes away about a month ago, they were right in the yard making an awful racket. And they do bring rats (my dog got one) but in the country that's not as bad as in a town like Cranston where there is a rat problem.
THE PREGNANT CHICKEN
8:05 pm on Thursday, January 17, 2013
as long as they are cared for properly and control the number [ no roosters] a few backyard chickens are an excellent educational experience ,and you can"t beat fresh eggs ,I have had several dozen chickens for 15 plus years on half acre -+ without any rat problem due to proper feed storage.a secure hen house and run will deter any predators.