An Overview Of Reasons to Not Keep Backyard Chickens
By Tom Seest
Is Disease Transmission a Concern with Backyard Chickens?
Why You Should Not Keep Backyard Chickens? Many people are interested in keeping backyard chickens. However, the risk of introducing disease-causing pathogens into wild birds has been proven. In fact, backyard chickens may serve as reservoirs for pathogens that could eventually infect commercial poultry. The mechanism for spillover is unknown, but many studies point to wild birds. For example, Mycoplasma Gallisepticum, which causes chronic respiratory disease in chickens, spilled over from poultry to house finches in 1994 and eventually became endemic in passerine species in North America. Other notable cases of disease transmission involve avian influenza and Newcastle disease. The latter occurred during the winter of 2016-17 in the U.S. and is highly pathogenic.
Disease transmission from backyard chickens can be prevented through good husbandry and proper sanitation. Ensure that you wash your hands frequently and disinfect your hands after handling chickens. Also, keep a record of all your chickens’ vaccination status and any recent medical treatments. If you suspect your chickens have contracted an illness, limit the number of birds to keep the risk to a minimum.
While the CDC has not reported a large number of cases related to backyard poultry, it has identified at least five outbreaks of salmonella in the past three years. Those outbreaks have been associated with nearly two thousand reported cases of infection, with most cases occurring in states that are not already affected by the disease. Those who are exposed to the bacteria may not have symptoms or even know they are infected. For this reason, the CDC has discouraged handling chickens, especially if you have young children around.
The introduction of backyard poultry has created an entirely new subsection of the agricultural-wildlife interface, with profound implications for the transmission of pathogens between wild and domesticated birds. Among the most common avian pathogens detected from backyard poultry are the infectious bronchitis virus, Marek’s disease virus, and Mycoplasma spp. Furthermore, many pathogens have been detected in backyard chickens via antibody testing, suggesting a high risk of cross-species transmission.
Why You Should Not Keep Backyard Chickens?
This photo was taken by Nothing Ahead and is available on Pexels at https://www.pexels.com/photo/close-up-shot-of-a-rooster-12849429/.
Table Of Contents
Are Costs a Concern with Backyard Chickens?
While raising backyard chickens can be fun and rewarding, it can also be expensive. The first year can be the most expensive. You’ll need to buy the birds and build a coop and run, plus feed and bedding for the birds. Other costs will include feeders, medicine, and pest control.
While chickens can be expensive, they are an excellent source of protein and can help you eat a better diet. This can help you live longer and have better health. Additionally, the eggs your chickens lay can be an excellent source of protein. At Walmart, eggs cost approximately $4 a dozen. If you purchase eggs every week, that’s $200 a year.
Feeding your chickens regularly is an important part of keeping them healthy. You’ll need to spend about $15 a month on feed for each hen. Feeding them free-range will reduce the cost, but organic and medicated feeds will cost more. Feed costs will increase during hotter seasons.
The cost of raising backyard chickens is typically higher than buying eggs from a store, but that will decrease with time. In addition to lowering the cost of your eggs, raising your own chickens also provides you with a good source of entertainment for the entire family. Many families select a chicken breed that enjoys being petted and held.
The cost of chicken feed varies depending on the breed of the chicken. Some breeds are more expensive than others, and exotic breeds can cost over $100 a bird. However, day-old chicks are relatively inexpensive. A heat lamp, feeder, and waterer can cost less than $25. Pullets, on the other hand, require more attention and are generally more difficult to rear than chicks. In addition to the feeding, you’ll need bedding and supplements to keep the hens healthy.
Are Costs a Concern with Backyard Chickens?
This photo was taken by Klub Boks and is available on Pexels at https://www.pexels.com/photo/photo-of-a-walking-rooster-12560900/.
Is the Time Commitment a Concern with Backyard Chickens?
Raising backyard chickens can be a rewarding experience for many reasons. For one, chickens need minimal care and attention, but there is still a time commitment involved. You will need to feed your chickens every morning and water them regularly. You will also need to collect their eggs and close the coop door at dusk.
The time commitment of keeping backyard chickens varies, depending on the number of chickens you raise. You will need to spend about 10 to 20 minutes a day feeding and caring for your chickens. Some chickens molt every three months, but this doesn’t mean you have to wait two years.
Before you get started, check with your local township or city zoning regulations to see if keeping chickens is allowed. While most cities are becoming more tolerant of chickens, you may be limited to the number of birds you can keep. You may also need to apply for permits for a coop or a farm or sell fresh eggs.
Chickens need regular feed, clean water, and occasional treats. You’ll also need to maintain their coop and feed them in bad weather. On top of that, chickens can live from four to ten years, so if you plan on keeping backyard chickens for a long time, you’ll have a lot of responsibility.
Backyard chickens can also be dangerous. They can be attacked by various predators, including foxes, birds of prey, raccoons, dogs, and even your neighbor’s cats. It’s best to fence your backyard chickens to keep them out of harm’s way.
Is the Time Commitment a Concern with Backyard Chickens?
This photo was taken by Sergey Platonov and is available on Pexels at https://www.pexels.com/photo/rooster-tail-feathers-in-close-up-shot-11929563/.
Are Animal Conflicts a Concern with Backyard Chickens?
Backyard chicken keeping is growing in popularity, but it’s important to consider the potential conflicts that can occur with other animals. This is especially true in urban environments, where chickens can become a nuisance and result in nuisance complaints. It also adds to the costs associated with animal welfare law enforcement.
Some communities have restrictions on keeping poultry on residential properties. These restrictions aim to prevent nuisance animals from disrupting the neighborhood. Common restrictions include a limit on the number of birds and a setback from neighboring property. Most restrictions are enforced through complaints, but there are some exceptions, such as exemptions for educational projects.
Some backyard chickens can carry disease. They may carry a variety of pathogens, which can cause illness or death in humans. These pathogens may be present in the droppings and bodies of chickens, so it’s important to thoroughly clean your hands after handling them. In addition, you should avoid keeping live poultry near areas where food preparation is done. Similarly, make sure to thoroughly cook eggs collected from backyard chickens.
Backyard chickens are not suitable for urban environments. Some cities, like Toronto and Winnipeg, have rules that prohibit the keeping of chickens in urban areas. If you want to keep your chickens in a city, you need to ensure that you get veterinary attention. Many veterinarians are not experienced in treating chickens, so it’s important to find a veterinarian who specializes in chickens and is experienced in dealing with chickens. A veterinary specialist can treat your chickens quickly and efficiently if you’re in need of emergency care.
Are Animal Conflicts a Concern with Backyard Chickens?
This photo was taken by Anita Dombi and is available on Pexels at https://www.pexels.com/photo/close-up-shot-of-a-rooster-12938317/.
Are There Legal Concerns with Backyard Chickens?
Some communities have by-laws or regulations prohibiting the keeping of backyard chickens. These regulations address issues such as noise, odor, and conditions that attract pests and rodents. They also address public health concerns. It is important to check with your local town hall to make sure you are permitted to keep chickens in your backyard. Most communities make these laws available on their website for review.
If you are not sure about the legality of keeping backyard chickens in your city, it is important to look up the zoning laws for your area. While some cities and towns have adopted rules permitting backyard chickens, others have fought against them. In cities and towns that have stricter rules, keeping backyard chickens may be frowned upon by the majority of the population.
In Canada, backyard chicken keeping is not illegal unless it violates municipal laws. The Ministry of Agriculture and Agri-Food (FAO) does not have specific regulations for backyard poultry keeping, but each municipality has its own rules. If you live in an urban area, you should be aware that roosters can be noisy. Urban areas often don’t allow the crowing of roosters. However, if you live in a rural area, this may not be an issue.
Although keeping backyard chickens is considered to be legal in many places, laws about backyard flocks are often silly or irrelevant. In some cities, it is illegal to keep chickens because they could create a nuisance situation. While this situation is unlikely to happen in your neighborhood, you should make sure you are not breaking any local laws. In addition to the Department of Agriculture, each state has its own laws about backyard chickens.
Are There Legal Concerns with Backyard Chickens?
This photo was taken by Maria Luiza Melo and is available on Pexels at https://www.pexels.com/photo/chickens-in-close-up-photography-10834667/.