Opposition~

Vocal opposition to Pet Hens in South Portland seems to be largely due to the fact that folks are still thinking of barnyard chickens (smelly, noisy, free-ranging on people's yards) rather than the PET chickens being proposed.

A point often brought up is that chickens may attract predators. However, penned chickens will not be any more predator-attracting than a rabbit kept in a backyard rabbit hutch. Moreover, the City is proposing strict restrictions to ensure that chicken pens are predator proof (wire type is specified, wire must be buried 12" deep, pens must be covered, hens must be in a lockable secure solid structure -i.e. henhouse- at night, etc.) Rabbit hutches have no such restrictions! One of the Planning Board members (who was not in favor, by the way) recounted that when she kept chickens in South Freeport, she never had any predator problems, and she even let her hens roam free. South Portland will require that hens are kept in a predator-proof enclosed pen at all times, except for short periods when they may be allowed in a securely fenced yard WITH SUPERVISION.

Opposers also complain that our lot sizes are too small for chickens. Again, we don't think they understand they way that urban/suburban chickens are raised. They do not need a lot of space. Their enclosed pet may be the size of a small dog run (about 5X10 or less), and that is technically more than enough space to keep up to 6 hens. If they are allowed to roam in a securely fenced yard, with supervision, for an hour or so on nice days, that's just bonus. If opposers are worried that smell or noise would carry in tight neighborhoods, again we must point out that what is being proposed, and the restrictions the City has drafted, will keep nuisance to a minimum. Certainly, barking dogs are more of a nuisance, and there's no noise nuisance ordinance to regulate that! Hens, kept as PETS, remember, and cleaned regularly, will be less smelly than your neighbors dog poop left on the lawn.

Some people worry that pet hens would lower property values. Again, the restrictions very clearly state how the henhouse must be constructed, that it must be sided like the main house, with proper roofing materials, painted, and well-maintained. Think of a garden shed, not a rusty coop made of scrap metal. The City Council will require aesthetically-pleasing, sound, predator-proof structures. Also take into consideration that the people who are fueling the "pet hen movement" are in largely upscale neighborhoods. Here are three recent news stories to back this up: MSNBC: "Man's new best friend lays eggs, More urban, suburban residents turning to chickens as pets" , USA Today: "Move Over Fido! Chickens are becoming Hip Suburban Pets" , ABC News: "More People Turn to Chickens as Pets" Cape Elizabeth, which allows chickens with no restrictions, even in their tightest residential neighborhoods, certainly has no trouble with property values. In fact, many people, especially young families, view chickens as a highly POSITIVE aspect of a neighborhood, indicating a commitment to healthy living, environmental awareness, and a reminder of a slower, more natural way of life in our busy, rushing-around, plastic-wrapped society. Please take a look at the numerous comments to this effect on the on-line petition.

A few misinformed folks have brought up concerns about Avian Flu. We've submitted materials to the City about this; pet chickens raised as proposed are not going to be a threat.... although semi-wild ones like those in Key West, and free-ranging farm flocks that intermingle with migratory waterfowl (as well as pet cats that eat birds) would be a concern should H5N1 ever reach North America (and it has NOT been found here!)

Some people are concerned that allowing pet hens will open the doors to people wanting to raise all sorts of other animals such as goats or sheep. We respectfully submit that while a 100 x 55 lot is plenty of room to raise a few hens in a small pen, it is most certainly NOT enough space for a large animal that needs grazing. It seems doubtful this will become an issue, and certainly not a strong enough argument to disallow something that so many South Portland residents support. Pet hens are more akin to a rabbit kept in a backyard rabbit hutch, NOT pigs, goats, or sheep!

Finally, some people in the city government are concerned that this will add to their work loads. We believe that the amount of people likely to undertake raising chickens will be very small, and that the majority will be very conscientous neighbors. Perhaps there will be a few phone calls to answer in the beginning, but that hardly seems a good enough reason not to allow something that, again, so many taxpayers favor. The city of Missoula Montana recently finished thorough research on how other cities have dealth with their chicken ordinances. They interviewed city officials and asked how things are working. The answers were overwhelmingly positive.... Quotes from the report:

"All city employees that I spoke with said they had minimal complaints around chickens, and all revolved around roosters. Most thought their chicken ordinance did not create problems or nuisances, and some thought it improved their communities."

"The ordinance is working very well in the city. There have not been any complaints whatsoever. Eventually we’ll get some complaints about hens, but we hear plenty of dog-related complaints every day.”

“In our experience it seems to bring neighborhoods together. It gives neighbors something to talk about, and chicken owners can share eggs with their neighbors. It opens up communication lines, so there’s more of a sense of community. So far, everyone has kept things pretty clean."

“Chicken people tend to be law abiding.”

"There have not been any complaints about hens"

Finally, some people ask what allowing pet hens will give to the community....... we say, "LOTS!"

South Portland has been wonderful about building a great recycling program, offering low-cost composters to residents, preserving our green spaces, encouraging community-building and educating the public about environmental issues. This is because these issues are a growing concern, not just among the organic crowd, but among mainstream Americans as well. Cities all over America are changing their zoning laws to accomodate the growing desire of regular city-dwellers to raise a bit of their own food. South Portland should move with the times and join them. Children and families benefit from the joy of daily harvesting, the development of a sense of responsibility, and the lesson that food doesn't always come wrapped in plastic from a store. Neighbors benefit since they get to share the experience. Neighborhoods benefit from a shared experience to talk about, communication opened between neighbors, and a great reason to visit the neighbors to check out their chickens. Across America, communites report that the chickens bring neighborhoods together in a way that is increasingly rare in our often screen-obsessed, reclusive, busy lives. And the entire town benefits from a general reputation for being environmentally aware and community-oriented.