Comments on: Backyard Chicken Myths, Part 1

By: Chris Cook

Chris Cook — Sat, 11 Sep 2010 12:47:54 +0000

Make them listen. Gain support for your cause by sharing facts with your neighbors. I am currently trying to change the ordinance in my small town, and I called the local news stations to see if they would do a story about it. I’ve had 2 call me back so far and it is spreading like wild fire. It’s a lot of work, but will be worth it if it changes some minds.

By: Nancy

Nancy — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 20:38:11 +0000

I just had to get rid of my Black Silkie today because he crows very loud. I have a few hens, and the neighbors haven’t complained, but I knew it would be a matter of time. I covered his house with blankets, which stopped him from crowing until about 9am, but he would crow all day. He was my pet and I miss him already.

By: Eduardo R Maron

Eduardo R Maron — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 13:25:00 +0000

I live in North Port, Florida. Last year I had a flock of 18 hens, no roosters. I built a nice chicken coop in an empty lot I own next to my house. I have no close neighbors. You could not see or hear the chickens any time of the day or night, yet a distant neighbor complained, and before I know I had two police squad cars and an animal control officer checking my entire house. Very embarrassing. I was served a notice by the city that I must remove the chicken coop and get rid of the hens, and the animal control officer told me that it was not enough that the hens were not physically there but required proof of where I sold them.

I did sell them at an auction in Arcadia. The city said that it will fine me 500 dls. a day if I do not do what I was ask or if I have chickens again within 5 years. My grandchildren missed them terribly, and we do not have the dozen or so eggs every day. What a pity!

By: Beth

Beth — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 23:11:51 +0000

I have eight chickens, three of them are roosters who like to crow whenever. My one neighbor lady across the street did not even know I had any chickens until I mentioned them! So they don’t particularly seem bothered by them. I’ve been in this house two months now and nobody’s complained about them. In fact, they enjoy them.

By: Beth

Beth — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 22:42:10 +0000

I have eight chickens, three of which are roosters. They really don’t go anywhere other than the confines of my big, open backyard. I live in town. Until I mentioned my chickens to a neighbor who can see my front door from hers, she didn’t even know I had any chickens! So there.

By: crazyredhead

crazyredhead — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 04:28:54 +0000

We have Rhode Island Reds, Buff Orpingtons, Wyandottes, Aracaunas,and Silkies, and yes, each breed of Rooster has its own crow, and our silkies do crow. It’s just more like a small bell ringing

By: Amy

Amy — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 19:18:16 +0000

I sure wish Amarillo, TX had the sense to listen to facts like this.

By: Marcy

Marcy — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 13:59:47 +0000

When you announce to your neighbors that you’re going to be raising chickens you would expect the complaint in the above article. I announced my chickens arrival to my nearest neighbors and their response was nothing like the article. I get daily bags of food scraps from each neighbor, they come to see how they are growing, and they most importantly want to see if they are laying any eggs. I think my neighbors are looking for some of those fresh egg, just like I am. So not every community will scoff at chickens, the next year I order new chicks they want in on the order for their own!! I don’t have any roo’s in my flock, as I am sure they would complain about that.

By: Wayne

Wayne — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 08:05:05 +0000

I don’t know about other states. But in Texas where I live the State Bird is The Mockingbird. These Birds are my favorite. I love to hear them singing. They will start singing at 3 or 4:00 in the morning. Sometimes they will sing all night in places where there are street lights. I would be real upset if they outlawed them in the city limits. And even though I am a light sleeper, barking dogs wake me more than crowing roosters. And yes, I live in a rural area. And yes, I have raised chickens, roosters and hens, also a flock of ducks, a few turkeys, and a gaggle of geese. And they are no worse than a mob of crows. I did have two incubators that would hatch about three or four dozen eggs each. And I have also raised rabbits, dogs and a passel of kids. Maybe it’s just that I love having animals, birds and kids.

By: Joyce Graff

Joyce Graff — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 00:54:15 +0000

If people are so worried about the crowing of roosters, why don’t they get silkies? I have yet to hear any of my silkies crow, but then again, maybe they are all females. Not. Silkies don’t make the same noise as other hens also. They just kind of murmur at you.