It's a sign of the times. As people grow increasingly concerned about their financial bottom line, they are looking for ways to save and, especially, cut their grocery budget. As a result of this new interest in frugality, more urban dwellers are raising chickens in their backyard.
According to a recent Los Angeles Times article, some cities such as Madison (WI), Los Angeles, Seattle, Baltimore and Chicago already have laws on the books that allow up to four chickens per backyard. Other cities such as Iowa City and Traverse City (MI) are considering allowing backyard chickens. One major supplier says there is a six week wait for chicks and they can hardly keep up with the demand.
However, not everyone is keen on the backyard additions. From Backyard chickens on the rise:
City leaders in New Haven, Conn., this month wrestled with the implications of legalizing backyard roosts at a contentious public hearing. Critics worried the urban homesteaders wouldn't stop at vegetable gardens and chicken coops. There are already rumblings that, in cities like Seattle, they have expanded into beekeeping and miniature-goat herding.
"When you live with your food, you have issues," said Paul Kowalski, head of New Haven's environmental health program. "Raising your own food is cool, but not when you have yards that are 20 feet by 30 feet."
Such fears were enough to quash pro-chicken legislative efforts in the village of Caledonia, Wis., about 30 miles south of Milwaukee.
As people continue to look for ways to feed their families and also embrace a simpler lifestyle, expect to see this issue of backyard chickens pop up in communities all across America.
Comments
Keeping backyard chickens can be a fun and rewarding experience. If you would like to learn more about keeping backyard poultry I invite you to listen to the Backyard Poultry with the Chicken Whisperer radio show Monday through Friday at 12:00pm EST at www.blogtalkradio.com/backyardpoultry and on Saturday at 9:00am EST at www.americaswebradio.com You can also follow the Chicken Whisperer on Twitter at www.twitter.com/backyardpoultry
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Number one I find it sad that negative comments are repeated from the same single man in New Haven Conn. It seems a shame that people are unwilling to actually investigate for themselves. Four chickens cause less waste than a average size dog the same laws that govern treatment and sanitation for traditional pets would work well for chickens. Also people overlook the benefits of having a chicken in their yard, fresh eggs, reduction in dangerous insects, and a connection with nature. Besides when was the last time you heard of a child being mauled by a hen?
Urban Chickens for Traverse City, MI have been approved and is in effect as of Sept. 18th, 2009.
Go to tcbokbok -dot- blogspot -dot- com
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