Allow Backyard Chickens in Cary, NC
To: Cary Town Council
We, the undersigned citizens of Cary, believe that chickens belong within the town limits in residential areas. The Town ordinance should be changed to allow a small number of backyard hens for the following reasons:
-- Chickens produce a rich fertilizer by-product, high in nitrogen, eliminating the need for petrochemical fertilizers.
-- Chickens eat bugs, including ticks, reducing our backyard pest population, and allowing for reduced use of pesticides.
-- Backyard hens provide an educational opportunity to teach children where our food comes from and demonstrate responsible pet ownership.
-- Fresh, naturally raised eggs have an improved nutrient profile compared to conventional eggs.
-- Chickens eat table scrapes, reducing municipal solid waste.
-- A properly cleaned and maintained chicken coop poses no sanitation risks.
By amending the Town ordinance to allow residents to keep a limited number of hens in residential zones, the Town of Cary will encourage stewardship of the environment and food production on a household scale.
Sincerely,
The Undersigned
To: Cary Town Council
We, the undersigned citizens of Cary, believe that chickens belong within the town limits in residential areas. The Town ordinance should be changed to allow a small number of backyard hens for the following reasons:
-- Chickens produce a rich fertilizer by-product, high in nitrogen, eliminating the need for petrochemical fertilizers.
-- Chickens eat bugs, including ticks, reducing our backyard pest population, and allowing for reduced use of pesticides.
-- Backyard hens provide an educational opportunity to teach children where our food comes from and demonstrate responsible pet ownership.
-- Fresh, naturally raised eggs have an improved nutrient profile compared to conventional eggs.
-- Chickens eat table scrapes, reducing municipal solid waste.
-- A properly cleaned and maintained chicken coop poses no sanitation risks.
By amending the Town ordinance to allow residents to keep a limited number of hens in residential zones, the Town of Cary will encourage stewardship of the environment and food production on a household scale.
Sincerely,
The Undersigned
We urge the Cary Town Council to reconsider the issue of backyard hens.
Allowing residents to keep a limited number of backyard chickens would be a socially and environmentally responsible move on the part of the Town of Cary.
In recent years, with the price of oil and food increasing, along with nearly constant scares about the safety of the food supply, it seems more important than ever that people are able to raise and produce some of their own food.
Recently, cities across the country have begun allowing citizens to keep backyard chickens because of their numerous benefits. Seattle, Portland, and Madison are just a few examples. Wake Forest recently began allowing residents to keep up to 10 hens, and Durham is considering changing their ordinance to allow backyard hens. The exact laws vary, but in general they permit residents to keep 6-12 chickens in a secure backyard enclosure a minimum distance from neighboring residences, and forbid the keeping of roosters.
A backyard hen can live 8-10 years, and will produce hundreds of eggs in her lifespan. In addition to the benefit of fresh eggs, chicken manure is a valuable addition to any compost pile. They also eat bugs, aerate the soil, and can eat fruit and vegetable waste from the kitchen, reducing landfill usage. The eggs do not have to be trucked and refrigerated for long distances, which could even help reduce the owner's carbon footprint compared to buying conventional eggs. Some research has even suggested that fresh, naturally raised eggs have an improved nutrient profile compared to conventional eggs. Raising chickens in an urban or suburban location is quite different from how they are raised on a large poultry farm. Properly cared for and cleaned up after, they would make less noise and smell than most dogs.
We feel it important that the Town Council reconsider the matter, this time taking into account the feelings of their consitituents, and fairly considering all the facts.
There ain't nobody here but us chickens. Don't hate.
Dear Cary Council; I think it's ridiculous that in this day in age we are prohibited against owning domestic animals such as chickens. The comment made by one Council member stating that the only chicken he wants to see is on his plate is not only offensive but immature. Chickens would provide the opportunity for many families to eat organic fresh eggs, naturally control backyard pests such as mosquitoes, fleas and ticks, provide organic fertilizer and enjoy the fun and bonding experience gained from raising domestic animals. I enjoyed owning chickens and ducks as a child and feel that as an American citizen should not be denied this God given right. Sincerely, Wendy Dascoli
I think the Town should allow individuals to make the decision on keeping a limited number of hens. The experiences of other urban/suburban locations shows that this is a great benefit to those who keep hens without harm to others in the community.
Cary Residents should be allowed to be grandfathered by the previous allowance of chicken coops. New residents can choose not to allow chicken coops, while older residences and neighbors should be allowed chickens
If possible, it would be a benefit if the Town's decision to allow backyard hens could override homeowner's association regulations.
When I was little, I brought chickens home from school (we had a class project watching them hatch) and raised them for years afterward. Not only was it very educational, we had relatively unusual pets, and we had fresh eggs regularly. I still miss hearing the rooster crow.
Find a Cure for CARY
It's the right thing to do. I hope the Town Code will be changed. Thank you.
My kids and I would love to have a few hens. I am sure they would make much less noise than my neighbors dogs.
Permitting the raising and care of chickens by Cary residents and homeowners will be a meaningful step toward urban sustainability. Please revise the Town Code to allow the responsible ownership of chickens in the Town. Thank you!
Debra Borzym-Falco
YES
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I don't have a back yard (it's wooded), and wouldn't be able to have a coop, but I don't have any problems with my neighbors setting them up. I'm embarrassed that Cary isn't taking a more progressive approach.
Small groups of chickens should be considered pets. They are a great teaching tool and wonderful for the environment.
I'm all for chickens in the backyard
I have lived in the Green Level community for the past 23 years, when we moved here everything around us was farm land. My neighbors raised cows. pigs, horses, goats, and of course chickens. Most of the chickens were free to roam the yard and forage for themselves. I am still in the county, but with subdivisions to my right and left I'm afraid my days are numbered. How sad, that a town feels that it's o.k. to encourage progress with no regard for the land's past heritage. New and old Cary was and is being built on farm land. They should embrace and respect their history and allow their residents to take part in honoring it.
I probably won't be keeping chickens in my back yard, but I support others who wish to. Before I moved to Cary I lived in a Raleigh neighborhood and many families had chickens. There were no problems. I actually like roosters, but understand why they can't be allowed as permanent residents.
I live just outside Cary city limits and have 4 hens. They make great pets, welcome addition to pest control and provide all of our eggs (and neighbors)
Keeping "Hens" is a wonderful option that should be available to Cary citizens. Hens are quiet, eat insects and provide fresh eggs.
Small backyard flocks of chicken give families an opportunity to have a low-cost source of healthy protein and natural insect control. I urge the Town of Cary to lift the restrictions on backyard flocks.
Other progressive cities, including Seattle, have allowed residents to own chickens, why shouldn't Cary? Cary needs to get with the program and allow their residents to raise chickens if not for pets then for food.
There is no reason not to allow people to keep a small number of hens in their yards. They should be expected to care for them just like any other pet. People who keep pet chickens tend to take much better care of them than many people who keep dogs outside all the time!
I'm downtown Sou. Pines. I have 10 laying hens, getting about 8 eggs a day. I had the chickens for about 3 mos before my neighbor knew; she says she hardly ever hears them and when she does, she likes the sounds. I don't let them run loose, they are in a 10' square pen under a 7' deck. They get sun on three sides depending upon time of day. Easy, charming, I love them!
Please allow backyard chickens.
I believe that individuals should be free to do what they like on their own land as long as it is in compliance with local, state and federal regualations (as well as residential associations).
Limit the number of chickens, zone it correctly (single family homes) and move on. It's healthy and kid friendly ... which is what Cary is about.
Hello, I am new here, moved from CA 9 months ago. Many very well to do communities in CA allow chickens. It is considered a sign of sophistication and wisdom on the part of the city government. Please allow chickens. Thank you.
The whole Triangle laughs in the general direction of Cary for having this silly law.
I raise chickens in Vietnam before coming to United Sttes. They were good for feeding my family and fun.
I do not personally intend on raising chickens at this time but have no objections to any of my neighbors doing so. This is a good idea for family activities, finance and health. "Get those kids outside and away from the computer screen."
