Concerns

With any ordinance change, there will be those who have concerns about the consequences of the change. This is the list of concerns and complaints that people have stated.

Animal Disposal

After a chicken dies of old age from living a healthy life in a secure coop/run, something will need to be done with the body. This is a topic that would need to be discussed further prior to approving chickens.

  1. Treat chickens exactly like other pets. Bring the deceased animal to a vet or bury it in the backyard.
  2. Locate a local, large scale compost pile so the animal will decompose quickly. It is not recommended to put a whole chicken in a backyard compost pile. Larger piles generate higher internal temperatures.
  3. Dispose of the animal in a dumpster or garbage can. I don’t agree with this option, but included it for completeness. Grocery stores currently dispose of expired meat products, including whole featherless chickens, in their dumpsters.
  4. Burning the animal in a backyard fire pit. Existing town ordinances would prohibit this.
Animals Roaming the Streets

Chickens, just like dogs must be securely contained with in the owner’s property. Chickens should be kept in a fenced in run or coop when unsupervised. If the chickens are allowed to roam freely in a fully fenced in yard, the owners should be there to supervise them. At no point in time should chickens be allowed to “roam the streets”.

Avian Flu, Disease

Caring pet owners are more likely to treat all the animals in their family better than the mass agricultural industries. More space per hen and better food mean that home raised chickens will be healthier. Backyard Hens are as likely to contract avian flu and other diseases as pet parrots. Since the hens are pets and in a small flock, the owners will be more astute to changes in the animals health. If any sickness is detected, like a responsible owner, they will do what is necessary to get their pet healed.

From the CDC website’s FAQ.

We have a small flock of chickens. Is it safe to keep them?
Yes. In the United States there is no need at present to remove a flock of chickens because of concerns regarding avian influenza. The U.S. Department of Agriculture monitors potential infection of poultry and poultry products by avian influenza viruses and other infectious disease agents.

A few government run sites devoted to Avian Influenza.

HOA Restrictions

Home owners who sign an HOA contract, just like renters, do not have complete control over what they may do on the property where they reside. After the town legalizes hens, local HOAs must then be convinced to allow hens. Renters would need to get permission of the property owner.

It's not Cary

This is a tricky concern to counter because it is a subjective opinion and not really an argument. The Cary Town Council states that the town is “a world class city” that cares about the environment. If so, why is the council unwilling to discover the facts? Are they afraid that a staff committee will recommend that Chickens are good for the environment and will have no negative effect upon the quality of life for residents? Most of land within the town limits was historically farm land, so maybe “chickens are Cary.”

More Sustainable Living

Raising your own chickens will bring you and your family one step closer to a sustainable and self-sufficenct life. The eggs that you eat will not need to be trucked from a farm to a local grocery store and then picked up by you from the store.

Noise

Hens are much quieter than dogs. Roosters are loud, which is why we are requesting that roosters remain forbidden.

Predators

It is possible to design a coop that will keep chickens safe from raccoons, dogs, foxes or whatever other predators exist in your area. Most places in Cary should not have to worry about anything larger than a raccoon or a dog. There are many coop designs that give detailed instructions on how to secure a coop from the common predators. Too ensure the safety of the hens and to reduce the likelihood of attracting predators, a permit for the coop should be required from the town building or animal control departments.

Slaughter

As stated at the council meeting, we believe that chickens should not be slaughtered in a person’s backyard. Butchers and chicken processing plants would be the expected destination for those looking to have their pets processed. A chicken costs approximately $3.50 to be processed, as stated by a local farmer at the state farmer’s market.

Smell

Just like with any pet, it is up to the owner to be responsible and properly take care of their pet. A small number of hens living in a properly sized coop that is cleaned on a regular basis, then it will smell no worse than a litter box or a dog.

"Understanding Chickens" video clips.
Why did the chicken cross the road? Because Cary told it to leave


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