Backyard Chickens - Yes or No?

[PRC]

Many Canadian cities are playing around with allowing backyard chickens in suburban and related zones.

For those living in suburban type lots - are you good with backyard chickens (hens, no roosters), would you be okay if your neighbours had them?

Pros & cons:

-Eggs.

-Probably going to be able to make some soup at some point.

-Chickens are savages when it comes to pests, bugs, mice, etc.

-Wildlife attractant - they do draw coyotes, bobcats, owls, crows & magpies, etc.

-Novelty factor.  This will raise your profile in the neighbourhood.

-Chicken shit is high in nitrogen and good for gardens and composting.

-Need a coop, heated in Winter.

-Need secure fencing & gate.

-Lot's of cleanup.

-They can be noisy.

-Lot's of monitoring required - can't go away on a three week vacation without having someone capable deal with them.

-Bird flu, you could start the next pandemic.

[HVC]

I voted yes. Roosters obviously no. As a tip for those so inclined, but zoned out. People get around it by raising quail. All the pluses of chickens, plus easier to raise for meat.

[Admiral Yi]

no roosters

-Eggs.

 

[HVC]

no roosters

-Eggs.

 

You can get eggs without roosters. Just no chicks.

[Valmy]

no roosters

-Eggs.

 

Only a problem if you want your eggs fertilized.

[Admiral Yi]

You can get eggs without roosters. Just no chicks.

No shit.  Did not know.

[HVC]

You can get eggs without roosters. Just no chicks.

No shit.  Did not know.

Basically chicken menstrual cycle. . Egg pops out, but (on average) once a day. Think of that next time you eat an omelet

[Valmy]

Not a fan of neighborhood chickens. They had them in my ex's family's neighborhood and those damn chickens were everywhere. Chickens can fly and they would be sitting in all the trees in the neighborhood. Keep your chickens in your yards people.

[Valmy]

You can get eggs without roosters. Just no chicks.

No shit.  Did not know.

Yeah the rooster goes up to the eggs and fertilizes them. It always made me wonder if bird porn would just be looking at eggs.

[HVC]

Yeah, clipping or cooping should be mandatory.


As an aside, chicken are evil and will kill the weak. 

[HVC]

You can get eggs without roosters. Just no chicks.

No shit.  Did not know.

Yeah the rooster goes up to the eggs and fertilizes them. It always made me wonder if bird porn would just be looking at eggs.

[DGuller]

You can get eggs without roosters. Just no chicks.

No shit.  Did not know.

I knew that for many weeks now. 

[Jacob]

Yeah I'd be okay with it. Some folks a few blocks over had chickens. Seemed okay.

We have plenty of coyotes and crows anyhow, so no real concern there.

[Tamas]

You can get eggs without roosters. Just no chicks.

No shit.  Did not know.

Yeah the rooster goes up to the eggs and fertilizes them. It always made me wonder if bird porn would just be looking at eggs.

   Stop messing with his over-urbanised head.

[Jacob]

... but yeah, my yes was based on the chickens being kept in an enclosure in the yard, not roaming the neighbourhood. I think free roaming chickens would have a high mortality rate between cars and coyotes.