Comments about ‘Chicken ordinance has residents clucking: many cities along Wasatch Front allowing chickens in residential areas’

mmmmmmmmmm scrambled eggs in early morning..but I live in apartment..Oh well Great news for those that have chicked this law into SLC as Law passed along

Hello West Valley City and Ogden---

You go ahead and keep your towns full of residents who can raise nothing but 'gang-bangers'. Be sure that your cities stay squeaky clean and that your children continue to think that eggs and milk come from the dairy case at the supermarket.

Congratulations to the many communities that are smart enough to let their citizens have a little freedom to learn self-sufficentcy and to teach their children where food really comes from.

Can you imagine the pioneers being prohibited from raising chickens, goats, cattle, horses, etc because a few neighbors complained? We have sure allowed a lot of our freedoms to be taken away in the name of 'progress'.

Thanks for the Farmers Market as being one of the most attractive Cities Love SaltlakeCity USA

I think it is great IF there is also a code regarding animal husbandry so that the pens are kept clean for the sake of animal and human health. From what i see in utah, most of these backyard livestock/farm animal owners are creating conditions that are inhumane to the animals and are nothing more than breeding grounds for disease/flies/etc. It is time that the State defines STRONGLY and SPECIFICALLY the humane care of ALL animals. This should include DAILY food,water and pen cleaning along with shelter. The conditions for horses, cattle, etc in this state are cruel and inhumane. The state's ordinances regarding this are pathetic

"In West Valley City, some residents fear allowing chickens will tarnish the city's image".

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My image of West Valley City right now is such that I really envy those fortunate enough to live there.

However that would all change were they to allow chickens :)

A couple years ago I got the idea I wanted to raise chickens. My wife is less inclined to care for anything other than our kids. We have two close neighbors that raise chickens, however, and though they occasionally get out and go hunting for bugs in the neighboring gardens, and they make a mess of poop in their yards, they're otherwise harmless. I was told they'd be noisy, but honestly I haven't heard them at all. There's no rooster, and yet the hens still lay eggs, and honestly roosters can be really mean. My kids love to go over to the neighbors and chase the hens. When they escape the neighbor's yards, sometimes I'll find one of my daughters has attempted to adopt the chicken--she's convinced they want to come live at our house.

Anyhow it's a pleasant change from dogs that I don't own yet somehown still manage to poop in my yard, and cats that turn feral if you don't pay enough attention to them.

the funniest sentence in this whole article is, "In West Valley City, some residents fear allowing chickens will tarnish the city's image" Are you kidding me? That city has an image problem now and chickens will do nothing to harm it!

I'm all for self-sufficiency but one of my neighbors has chickens and I'm not real crazy about one of them being a rooster who likes to start crowing at 5:00 am. If you're going to keep chickens, consider your neighbors when you do.

I'm all for self-sufficiency but one of my neighbors has chickens and among them is a rooster who crows every day starting at 5:00 a.m.. If you're going to keep chickens, consider your neighbors when you do.

Hens are the most NON intrusive animal you can have. You will never see an earwig or grasshopper if you allow them to roam your yard. We had chickens when we lived in West Jordan and loved them and their eggs.

People in urban areas don't need to raise chickens for the produce, they do it to score political points to have power in government, money and social status. Agricultural areas are zoned to raise farm animals on purpose. Farm animals don't belong in residential zones. That's why they're zoned that way. Ordinances should be enforced. Stop the clucks!

If people can have rabbits in the city they should also be able to have chickens. Just don't get a rooster, they can be very annoying in the morning. :lol:
And what is wrong with goats? You can even milk them and free yourself of having to buy milk at the store. Although, I think cow milk is much better tasting. If they are going to restrict chickens then they had better restrict dogs and cats too.
Come on, let people live how they want as long as it does not violate health or nuisance laws.

Dustmagnet: Are you living in the same state I am or are you having a bad day? I deal and visit with people that keep animals all the time and I find the vast majority here in Utah do a wonderful job. I would like to see chickens have more free range time on the lawns or in the gardens. That would get rid of a lot of bugs/grass hoppers and the chicken would be happier and much healthier.
Overall most keep their coops and pens cleaned up and provide water and food.

I have raised chickens in large numbers for several years. Trust me, you will spend more to purchase, house and feed a few hens than you will probably ever save on eggs. I sell young hens (2 months old) for $10 a piece. According to my calculations, a hen would need to lay approximately 96 eggs before you have regained her purchase price (compared to store bought eggs at $1.25/doz). The best laying birds only lay one egg about every 32 hours, and only during their first year of production. After the first year, many breeds REALLY drop off in egg production. So, if you do the math, and include the cost of your coop and feed, there really is no savings....even if you sell some of the eggs. That being said, they are great for the compost pile, and are just very pleasant to have around.

@newsy wrote: "People in urban areas don't need to raise chickens for the produce, they do it to score political points to have power in government, money and social status. "

Now this is news I can use. I've always yearned to "score political points to have power in government." For years, I've been desperately seeking money and social status. And here I find out that all I need is some chickens and I'm set. Hallelujah!

Thanks New Mexico. I was wondering if there was any savings! The article listed a ton of expenses for permits and inspections, then add the coop, buying the hens, and feeding them and it doesn't sound very economical to me.

Well, it may not be very economical, but if you factor in not having to pay for pest control for the house & yard, that helps some. If you also factor in the satisfaction and the education & character building experiences, it then becomes priceless!!

You people who want animals on your "city" property need to get a clue. I'm glad I now know the towns where I will not be moving to ever. We live next to an Arabian Horse breeding farm and another neighbor with a "truck stop"/garbage looking area. Where's President Kimball when we need him; as in cleaning up our properties? I want to sleep at night; not hearing a bunch of critters clucking and chirping. Isn't that what birds do? We also are disturbed with helicopters/other aircraft at all hours of the day or night. It's my guess there are some third world country residents living among us who have creatures living inside their homes. How about people who build all kinds of structures in and around their yards without permits. Weren't we treated with a recent news item of people complaining about satellite surveinance to find out who were building swimming pools without permits? I don't think local authorities, let alone state/U.S. federal authorities can keep a handle on what is going on with illegal behavior with all the drugs/marijuana growing activities that pop up on us.

@Anonymous Infinity

Dude, lighten up.

Like any other animal, you can go as cheep or expensive as you want. Anonymouse infinity is right, President Kimball taught us to clean our yards, however, he also taught us to be self-reliant and plant fruit trees and gardens. Chickens put themselves to bed at night. They aren't as loud as a dog. My chickens are in a moveable coop so there is no smell and no damage to the yard. I have done this in consideration of my neighbors. I've done the math. I am paying 60 cents per dozen raising my own birds. Eggs of this nature sell for $4.00 per dozen at the store. Yes, chickens can be considered a farm animal, but so are cats and dogs which are more destructive to property then a couple chickens. I would rather live next to a person who owns chickens than a person with dogs who bark all night and stink because they aren't cleaned up after and have attacked people. Which I do live by. I have seen fewer pests and that includes mice because my chickens kill mice and snakes. My garden is beautiful because of my chickens.