Animal Activists Urged to Present This Policy Statement to Their
Municipalities
A coalition of animal sanctuaries involved in the direct care of unwanted
chickens in the United States has formulated recommendations regarding the
recent trend in backyard chicken-keeping. As the popularity of raising
backyard flocks has grown, our shelters have become inundated with calls to
take in unwanted chickens. In addition, we understand many communities are
now besieged with requests to legally regulate the keeping of backyard
flocks.
Recognizing the importance of this issue, we developed the following
Position Statement. If you live in a municipality that allows urban
"backyard" chicken-keeping already or is considering an Ordinance to
allow the keeping of chickens, please provide this Position Statement to
your local Animal Control, City Council, and Mayor. Please use the
information in it to write letters to the editor of your local newspapers
and respond to media coverage about the trend in urban/suburban backyard
chicken-keeping.
But first, please read and consider the issues raised in our Position
Statement and consider the reasons we give for encouraging your
municipality to resist becoming zoned for chicken-keeping. If zoning is
already in place, we urge your municipality to establish and enforce strict
requirements designed to protect both the birds, and your community, from
serious problems that will, quite predictably, otherwise result. Thank you.
===========================================================================
Collective Position Statement on Backyard Poultry
Click here for PDF: [http://www.upc-online.org/chickens/backyard_poultry.pdf]
Background
In the past year, shelters and sanctuaries in urban and suburban areas
have witnessed a dramatic increase in the intake of chickens, particularly
roosters. Hatcheries producing day-old chicks for shipment to feed stores
and individuals are backlogged with orders. The desire to raise poultry can
be linked to organic backyard farming as well as a desire to have direct
access to food (eggs and, in some cases, meat).
As a coalition of animal sanctuaries interested in the welfare of hens
and roosters, we have created this position statement on the keeping and
raising of chickens. All of us have been inundated with calls to take in
hens and roosters who are a) no longer wanted; b) not the correct sex; c)
not legally permissible. As organizations with limited resources and space,
it is no longer feasible to take in even a small percentage of these
unwanted animals. Even with placement assistance, most of these chickens,
particularly roosters, do not find permanent placement. This leaves
municipal dog and cat shelters the task of taking in, housing, feeding,
caring for, and inevitably killing healthy, adoptable chickens.
Problems associated with urban backyard flocks
Hatcheries are like puppy mills: When animals are reduced to
commodities, their best interests are pushed aside in favor of profit.
Hatcheries that produce chicks for backyard flocks treat chickens and their
offspring in much the same way puppy mills treat breeding dogs and their
puppies. There are no legal requirements dictating how breeding hens and
roosters are housed, meaning they may be crammed into small cages or sheds
without outdoor access.
Shipping day-old chicks is cruel: Most chickens purchased are bought from
hatcheries or feed stores (these chicks originate from hatcheries).
Hatcheries ship day-old birds through the postal service without any legal
oversight. Young chickens are deprived of food and water for up to 72 hours
and exposed to extremes in temperature. As Dr. Jean Cypher, a veterinarian
specializing in avian medicine states, "A day-old chick can no more
withstand three days in a dark crowded box than can any other newborn."
Other experts in avian medicine and behavior agree that transporting
day-old chicks in boxes for the first 24-72 hours of life is cruel and
medically detrimental to the birds. See, for example:
[http://www.upc-online.org/transport/71408shippingbirds.html].
Chicken sexing is more art than science: Using data collected from
sanctuaries and rescues that field calls daily about unwanted chickens, we
estimate between 20-50% of purchased "hens" are actually roosters.
Depending on breed, visually identifying a rooster can take weeks to
months.
Roosters may be unwanted and are often illegal: Male chickens are
generally unwanted for two reasons: They don't produce eggs and they are
rarely legal in urban or suburban settings. Hatcheries may use rooster
chicks as packing material, regardless of whether they were ordered. Most
incorporated or urban regions that do permit chickens only allow hens, not
roosters. Unwanted roosters may be abandoned to the streets, slaughtered,
or end up in a municipal shelter to be killed. Very few find their way into
a permanent home or sanctuary.
Chickens attract rodents: Even the cleanest coop is attractive to rats
and mice who enjoy the free bedding (straw and shavings) and food. Rodents
are generally viewed as pests and their presence is unwanted by chicken
owners and neighbors.
Lack of professional medical care: Avian medicine has made progress but
there are few vets specialized in the treatment and care of birds.
Veterinarians who do treat poultry are often expensive, with the average
vet visit starting at a minimum of $100.
Concerns with new ordinances allowing backyard poultry
Enforcement costs: Municipal shelters run on a tight budget dealing with
animal cruelty cases, dangerous dog calls, and the normal day to day
operation of their facilities. Adding an extra burden, like enforcing
chicken licensing laws and related complaints, is unwise amidst current
economic concerns.
Slaughter: The average chicken guardian is ill-equipped to "properly"
stun and kill a chicken. Further, slaughtering can be traumatic for
neighbors, including impressionable children. If chickens are to be
permitted in urban areas, they must be protected from cruel mistreatment as
much as "traditional" companion animals like dogs or cats, including a
ban on slaughtering them for consumption.
Roosters will be killed: Creating new ordinances permitting chickens
creates a market for killing 50% of all chicks born in hatcheries. Urban
and suburban areas considering chickens generally ban roosters, yet male
chickens comprise half of all chicks born. Hatcheries mail roosters as
packing material, and sexing of chickens is more art than science (see
above). When residents purchase chicks from hatcheries or feedstores and
end up with roosters, they will be put in the position of having to rehome
the bird(s). Most roosters are not rehomed and end up abandoned or dumped
at shelters, where they are invariably killed.
Suggestions if you are considering a backyard flock
Make sure it's legal: If you live in an unincorporated area, contact
your planning department and ask about the zoning requirements regarding
poultry. If you live in an incorporated region, contact the city clerk for
information on ordinances regarding chickens. Adopt: Avoid the cruelties of
the hatcheries by adopting birds already in existence who need homes. Check
out [http://www.petfinder.org] for animals available at your local shelter. Visit [http://www.sanctuaries.org] or [http://www.farmanimalshelters.org] and
contact a sanctuary near you about adopting birds. If they do not have
birds, do not give up. Sanctuaries and rescues receive inquiries daily
regarding animals needing homes - ask that you be contacted if one of these
calls occurs.
Do your research: Chickens can be wonderful companions. While they are
relatively easy to maintain, they do have special needs. Be sure to
research housing, predator proofing, diet, and medical needs. Some things
to be aware of:
- Some breeds of chickens are cold-sensitive: Hens and roosters with large
single combs are prone to frost-bite in cooler climates. Make sure adequate
housing accommodates birds in both cool and hot temperatures.
- Predator protection is vital: Chickens should be locked up at night in a
safe enclosure that prevents access by all predators, including dogs,
raccoons, aerial predators, rats, cats, wild canines, weasels, etc. During
the day, animals should be housed in a fully-fenced enclosure or yard with
proper protection from aerial, day-time predators and neighborhood dogs
and, in the case of small bantams, large domestic free-roaming cats.
- Veterinary care is critical: Avian medicine is still considered an
"exotic" practice and, as such, is more expensive. A one-time visit may
start at $100. Nevertheless, before considering housing chickens, it is
imperative that they have access to veterinary care.
Supporting Organizations
- Animal Place -
http://www.animalplace.org- Chicken Run Rescue -
http://www.brittonclouse.com/chickenrunrescue/]
- Chocowinity Chicken Sanctuary -
http://www.chocochickensanctuary.org/- Eastern Shore Sanctuary and Education Center -
http://www.bravebirds.org- Farm Sanctuary -
http://www.farmsanctuary.org/- Sunny Skies Bird and Animal Sanctuary -
http://www.sunnyskiesbirdsanctuary.org/-
http://www.upc-online.org/ United Poultry Concerns
(Chicken Care:
http://www.upc-online.org/chickens/--
United Poultry Concerns is a nonprofit organization that promotes the
compassionate and respectful treatment of domestic fowl.
Don't just switch from beef to chicken. Go Vegan.
[http://www.UPC-online.org]
View online:
http://www.upc-online.org/chickens/backyard_poultry.html
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