In recent years, the number of backyard chickens in the U.S. has grown exponentially, with more than 390,000 users on the Backyard Chickens website as cities and counties across the country repeal ordinances prohibiting them.
That doesn’t include Prince George’s County, which prohibits them in Section 27-441 of its zoning ordinance, barring keeping horses, cows, chickens or other animals or birds “other than customary household pets” on lots smaller than a half acre.
As first reported by Route 1 Reporter, the Hyattsville City Council is considering a measure that would repeal the city’s own ordinance against keeping chickens (but not roosters). The chickens would be in a bit of a legal gray zone, as county animal welfare officials could still come to your house, so the city would also petition the county to change its rules.
“Chicken raising is an enjoyable recreational activity that provides a healthy food source, high-quality fertilizer, fosters community building, and, with proper regulations, does not result in unsanitary or noisy conditions,” the bill reads.
Some veterinarians recommend that local ordinances on backyard chickens do more than simply allow them, instead specifying some measures that would help protect abused animals and prevent the spread of disease.
The city council delayed consideration of the measure Wednesday after a meeting ran long.
So my neighbor in Riverdale Park had backyard chickens and i didn’t love it but didn’t make a stink of it either until one day me and my son were going into our tree house and there was one of the chickens bones, head, and feathers eaten my a different animal (owner through maybe an eagle) and I finally was upset enough to say something. No chickens.
The problems with raising chickens in a condensely populated urban area such as Hyattsville is that their droppings will attract Norway Rats and other disease carrying rodents, bugs & insects. Wild animals (foxes & coyotes), hawks and Eagles will see see chickens as a food source. Snakes will go for the chicken eggs. Cackling chickens will also be a disturbance to the neighborhood. This idea has been floating around in Hyattsville for decades. I hope it doesn’t fly.
In addition to the other concerns noted, this is a water runoff issue. We’ve been fighting for years to get the rivers cleaner, let’s not go backwards.
A good system of allowing backyard hens would involve regulations and inspections. This proposal is to essentially go rogue and just turn a blind eye. What would stop people from having too many hens, roosters that crow at the crack of dawn, and unsanitary conditions? Where inspections would normally help to oversee these operations, there will instead be none. This idea has not been thought out very well.
All good comments above. If we are going to allow chickens, they need to be regulated, because chickens are a source of poulrty and human disease – documented by experts at the university, state, and United Nations level, not wanna-be backyard farmers. Why Hyattsville City Council is doing this now is a mystery, since in about 9 months limited backyard chickens will be permitted by CB-013-2019 on residential lots in the to be approved Prince Georges County (PGC) Code 27-5 under “Urban Agriculture.” Those on residential lots wanting chickens now, who just can not wait, may try a PGC special exception under PGC Code 27-441 Uses Table – “General Agricultural Uses” and justify it by arguing it is for learning the science of animal husbandry for non-commercial use. Easier to wait 9 months for CB-013-2019 to be approved though.
Ok, so some of the comments above are ridiculous to be honest. We have foxes in my neighborhood that prey on my neighbors outdoor cats. Should we ban cats? My other neighbor doesn’t walk his dogs, instead allowing them to just continue to use the bathroom in his backyard without picking up the waste (it’s been years now). Doesn’t that also draw rats? Ergo, we might need to ban dogs too.
The history of livestock bans, especially in historically black communities (like PG) are rooted in racism and classism. One would hope that the residents of Hyattsville were sophisticated enough to know that history, but apparently not.
Check your privilege, and get over yourselves already.
Correction to my comment: CB-027-2019, not CB-013-2019