Comments on: Chickening out (of the city limits)

By: Nicholas Stoddard

Nicholas Stoddard — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 01:56:46 +0000

For those following this thread, please take some time to check out the additional comments at Mayor Degner’s website: http://www.whykai.com/tell-kai-why-chickens-or-not/

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By: Why, Kai? » Tell Kai Why Chickens - Or Not

Why, Kai? » Tell Kai Why Chickens - Or Not — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 00:58:26 +0000

[...] of allowing residents in Harrisonburg to have chickens in their backyard has been documented on blogs and the newspaper. While I have had few people contact me directly, I am interested in learning [...]

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By: Lowell

Lowell — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 01:43:27 +0000

Modern poultry industry has bred and developed birds that will produce the maximum amount of meat in the shortest amount of time with the least amount of grain required. In doing so these companies have sacrificed the immunity system of the birds being raised for meat in the United States in the interest of short term profitability.

Is this good policy for our sustainable food supply?

In a word, no.

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By: David Miller

David Miller — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 23:58:13 +0000

While I respect Hobey’s opinion he does not quote any instances of this happening and his industry has a less than spectacular record on their “strick biosecurity precautions”. My family farms turkeys and I have no desire to endanger their livelihood, that being said I want chickens in my backyard. Four to be exact. If I am presented with studies proving that Harrisonburg backyard chickens pose a risk to Rockingham County flocks (since it’s LEGAL to have your own chickens in Rockingham County I won’t include them in my argument ) then I will cease and desist at Council.

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By: Brent Finnegan

Brent Finnegan — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 20:02:38 +0000

There’s a story about chickens in the city the current issue of Rocktown:

“Allowing backyard poultry to be kept in the city could pose a disease risk to the commercial poultry industry,” said Hobey Bauhan, president of the Virginia Poultry Federation, which represents the state’s commercial poultry industry.

Bauhan said that raising backyard flocks without the strict biosecurity precautions taken by commercial poultry farmers could increase the risk of outbreaks of avian influenza and other diseases.

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By: Jeff

Jeff — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 17:18:30 +0000

I grew up in suburban Richmond, and my dad thought it would be fun for us to have a few chickens. We built a nice house, created a run… and had chickens for a couple years. Neighbors thought it was kinda cute. I got bored with the chickens so we got homing pigeons… neighbors found them a little less cute, since homing pigeon fly and are call of nature sociopaths. So we ended up with a large garden. Through it all I learned a little about responsibility, a little about raising animals, and a little about “farming.” Forgive the pun, but a few chickens sounds like “no harm, no (problem with a few) fowl.”

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By: Chris Bell

Chris Bell — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 14:00:45 +0000

kind of reminds of this guy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOLwVrU9v7E&feature=player_embedded
he had to talk to like 8 people before someone could give him a straight answer. At least some people here actually know the law.

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By: Beth

Beth — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 01:50:15 +0000

Just wanted to respond to some of the comments. Firstly, this is backyard chickens, not poultry production for sale. We’ve been talking about allowing 5-6 chickens/ property based on the size of the lot. NO ROOSTERS. We understand the noise thing. We also have set specific regulations on how feed would be stored and part of the reason that we are having a fundraiser is to raise money to produce educational materials so that the neglect, rodent, and other concerns are addressed. I really don’t think that disease is an issue with backyard chickens in small numbers. Most of the disease problems are found in factory chicken production plants. I hope to see everyone at the fundraiser!

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By: Chris

Chris — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 06:38:49 +0000

RE: More info from Miriam Dickler, the city’s Public Information Officer: “Community Development thinks that if a change would be made to allow chickens that the ordinance amendment would have to be made under animal control and not zoning.”

Harrisonburg City adopted new animal control laws in 2003 and they did away with references to any specific types of animal other than hybrid canines, which you need a permit for. Prior to that, they did have a number of different “running at large” clauses, such as for chickens, livestock and dogs but now it just says “all animals must be kept under control”. The code goes on to define control but it DOES NOT prohibit ownership of any type of animal. You can actually own a lion or bear if you have the all of the correct Federal permits and if you are not in violation of any local zoning or building codes.

The poultry industry in the valley discourages “backyard flocks” because of disease transmission. Poultry is notoriously hard to contain when free ranging in a fenced in area. When roosters are kept, they disturb the peace of others in our cookie cutter communities. Poultry in the urban setting may also attract rodents and flies. With that said, some urban communities do allow them, setting strict rules limiting the number, sex, and stipulating the type and height of the enclosure required. Unfortunately many of these flocks are poorly managed. They often starts out as a novelty and it soon becomes a chore, unattended properly as the egg production falls rapidly.

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