Chickens living in the big city

Urban farming may be becoming more common as apartment dwellers in cities make use of rooftop gardens and windowsill planters. For some people, strawberries and tomatoes are not meeting their needs. Chickens are coming to the big city, and this is ruffling some people's feathers.

Urban chicken farming is the practice of raising chickens in a confined urban environment. The chickens are usually raised for the meat or eggs.

Urban chicken farming is spanning the country

Some major cities are allowing urban chicken farming. An USDA study with the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service focused on urban chicken farming in four U.S. cities–Denver, Colo., Los Angeles, Cali., Miami, Fla. and New York, N.Y. New York, for example, allows hens in unlimited amounts as they are considered pets. The requirement is that they are kept clean. New York does not allow roosters though, as their crowing in the morning would disturb neighbors.

Meanwhile some cities are resisting allowing chickens. Muncie, Ind., for example currently does not allow chickens inside the city limits according to city ordinance section 90.19.

CDC Infographic

The Star Press produced a story about how some residents want Muncie to be more fowl friendly in 2010. In the piece they also covered why some people are weary to allow chickens in the urban environment.
One issue is the possibility of transmitting Salmonella.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Salmonella causes an illness that is usually minor but in some cases requires hospitalization.
Salmonella can be contracted by contaminated food. Chickens are a carrier of the bacteria but contamination can easily be avoided by thoroughly washing your hands after contact with possible sources of contamination.
Other concerns of noise and smell are met with comparing chickens to normal household pets.
According to the Star Press article, the sound of a small group of hens is significantly less than that of a small dog. Likewise the smell of cat and dog waste is worse than the smell of chicken waste, however, it is still the responsibility of the owner to ensure that the odor does not get out of control.
If you are interested in finding out more about urban chickens, you can visit this link for a collection of websites and articles surrounding the issue.
What is your opinion on urban farming or urban chickens? Leave a comment below saying if you would want chickens living in the city or not and why. Got a topic that you want covered? Leave a comment below and I will take your suggestions for future posts.