What do the Experts have to say?
Patti & Ann Bancroft
One thing we've realized while we've been on this path of raising backyard/urban chickens is that most people have forgotten what that means exactly. During the time of Victory Gardens (WWII), chickens were not only common, but encouraged to help provide food for families. They've been around forever in backyards all over the world. However, in the last 40-50 years, in a perhaps mis-guided attempt at modernization they've fallen from grace. Of course, they're now the most popular thing since Golden Retrievers and we all wait anxiously to see if the Obamas will add chickens to the White House. But, for most people, in that span of years where they weren't so common, we've forgotten what they are. We immediately think of horrible, industrial, factory chicken farms. We think of hundreds of chickens cooped tightly, looking ragged and smelling awful. That couldn't begin to be further from the truth though. So, to help educate, enlighten, and to ease fears, we've contacted some local experts to help us answer those common FAQs.
From the Professors:
First, we checked with the Virginia Cooperative Extension (http://www.ext.vt.edu/) to find the people who really know their chickens.
We are very grateful to have heard from Dr. Paul Siegel at Virginia Tech. For those who may not be familiar with Dr. Siegel his proper title is "University Distinguished Professor, Active Emeritus" (a title which less than 1% of the faculty carry) and he works in the Animal & Poultry Science Department as a Poultry Geneticist. Here is a copy of the letter:
Dear Mrs. Cox:
Please excuse the delay in responding to your request per chickens in Salem. As you know from out phone conversation, I was away from campus for several days. I have reviewed the code and zoning statements and they are not consistent. My personal opinion is that having a small flock of chickens [without a rooster] to produce eggs for the family or as pets is not disruptive and in an era of "going green" is to be encouraged. My reason for excluding a rooster is because their vocalizations can be disruptive as a noise nuisance. A logical compromise is to allow flocks and limit the size of the flock. My suggestion is a maximum in the range of 10 to 12 in egg production. Of course there would be a provision for a similar number to be reared as a replacement flock.
I have reviewed you petition and find it logical except am uncomfortable with the comment that the eggs are healthier than store-bought eggs. That is they may be just as healthy, however healthier is requires documentation and detracts from the petition. Along the same vein, I would suggest in that same sentence ...and may do far less damage that some common pets, and they...
Paul B. Siegel
~A note from us here - our comment about locally raised eggs being healthier is based upon the findings by Mother Earth News (see our links page). The question they asked was whether free-range, pasture-raised eggs are healthier than most store-bought eggs and, scientifcally, found that they most often are. However, if you keep your hens in a run (which is ok to do), the eggs would just be fresher, not necessarily healthier.
We are very grateful to have heard from Dr. Paul Siegel at Virginia Tech. For those who may not be familiar with Dr. Siegel his proper title is "University Distinguished Professor, Active Emeritus" (a title which less than 1% of the faculty carry) and he works in the Animal & Poultry Science Department as a Poultry Geneticist. Here is a copy of the letter:
Dear Mrs. Cox:
Please excuse the delay in responding to your request per chickens in Salem. As you know from out phone conversation, I was away from campus for several days. I have reviewed the code and zoning statements and they are not consistent. My personal opinion is that having a small flock of chickens [without a rooster] to produce eggs for the family or as pets is not disruptive and in an era of "going green" is to be encouraged. My reason for excluding a rooster is because their vocalizations can be disruptive as a noise nuisance. A logical compromise is to allow flocks and limit the size of the flock. My suggestion is a maximum in the range of 10 to 12 in egg production. Of course there would be a provision for a similar number to be reared as a replacement flock.
I have reviewed you petition and find it logical except am uncomfortable with the comment that the eggs are healthier than store-bought eggs. That is they may be just as healthy, however healthier is requires documentation and detracts from the petition. Along the same vein, I would suggest in that same sentence ...and may do far less damage that some common pets, and they...
Paul B. Siegel
~A note from us here - our comment about locally raised eggs being healthier is based upon the findings by Mother Earth News (see our links page). The question they asked was whether free-range, pasture-raised eggs are healthier than most store-bought eggs and, scientifcally, found that they most often are. However, if you keep your hens in a run (which is ok to do), the eggs would just be fresher, not necessarily healthier.
From the Realtors:
One common concern is that backyard/urban chickens might diminish property values. Realtors we spoke with informed us that, no they won't affect the property value - of your yard OR your neighbors'!
Here is a letter we received from Mr. Stever Turner from Long & Foster:
July 16, 2009
Mrs. Carrie Cox
Academy St.
Salem, Virginia
Dear Carrie,
Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to evaluate the value of your home, located at the address on the heading of this letter.
Our current real estate market has been challenged of late, partially due to the economy, that finds our market to be a “Buyer’s Market”; meaning there is an oversupply of housing inventory as well as other factors, particularly potential buyer’s ability to obtain financing, due to the changes that have been made to the mortgage lending industry. The economy and changes have had a dramatic impact on the housing market that affects us all.
Home values are determined, for the most part, by the location as well as condition and the aesthetic value placed on the home by the potential buyer.
One of your concerns, posed to me, was the question devaluation of your home due to pets, specifically dogs and/or chickens that currently reside on your property. If a home is placed on the market, basically it becomes the “future” home of the potential buyer and that is how buyers perceive homes on the market. A homeowner’s lifestyle can potentially be in conflict with the buyer’s lifestyle and some changes to the current home should be affected to reach that end. That being said, the suggestions I would make to make your home aesthetically pleasing, are actually basic in nature. Neutralize any unique paint colors, remove clutter by removing family photos, nick-nacks , toys, large furniture that takes away from the perceived size of the home. I would also suggest removing pets from the property, as potential purchasers are intimidated by unfamiliar pets. Pets, specifically dogs, cats, chickens, birds and the like, do not in and of themselves devaluate the property, but do affect the aesthetic value placed on the home by potential buyers in the marketplace.
Again, thank you for the opportunity and if I can be of any further assistance, please don’t hesitate to call on me.
Respectfully,
Steve Turner
Regional Branch Manager
SWVA Region
Long & Foster REALTORS
3912 Electric Rd.
Roanoke, VA 24018
Direct Dial: (540) 772-9219
Fax: (540) 772-8885
VISIT MY WEBSITE
Licensed in Virginia
Things To Do in ROANOKE
Here is a letter we received from Suzanne Ashely, addressed directly to City Council:
July 19th, 2009
Salem City Council
Salem, VA 24153
Dear Council Members:
I am writing today in support of the Cox family and all Salem residents being allowed to keep a small, well-kept, backyard flock of hens (not roosters!). These animals are domestic, just like any other domestic cat, dog, gerbil, et. Al. There are those who feel that hens are a safer choice as a domesticated pet over the traditional dog or cat.
My understanding is that domestic fowl is not specifically addressed in the city’s zoning regulations, which means, if the regulations do not say that you can’t have domestic fowl, then you can.
Property value was also mentioned in my discussion with the Cox family, and appraisals are perception only. The home’s condition will stand on its own merit, whether the pet of the home is a domestic dog, cat, hamster, or hen.
Thank you for your time, and I surely hope that you will take the necessary steps to ensure that the Cox family, and the residents of Salem, can keep its flock of hens.
Very truly yours,
Suzanne K. Ashley
REALTOR®
Here is a letter we received from Mr. Stever Turner from Long & Foster:
July 16, 2009
Mrs. Carrie Cox
Academy St.
Salem, Virginia
Dear Carrie,
Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to evaluate the value of your home, located at the address on the heading of this letter.
Our current real estate market has been challenged of late, partially due to the economy, that finds our market to be a “Buyer’s Market”; meaning there is an oversupply of housing inventory as well as other factors, particularly potential buyer’s ability to obtain financing, due to the changes that have been made to the mortgage lending industry. The economy and changes have had a dramatic impact on the housing market that affects us all.
Home values are determined, for the most part, by the location as well as condition and the aesthetic value placed on the home by the potential buyer.
One of your concerns, posed to me, was the question devaluation of your home due to pets, specifically dogs and/or chickens that currently reside on your property. If a home is placed on the market, basically it becomes the “future” home of the potential buyer and that is how buyers perceive homes on the market. A homeowner’s lifestyle can potentially be in conflict with the buyer’s lifestyle and some changes to the current home should be affected to reach that end. That being said, the suggestions I would make to make your home aesthetically pleasing, are actually basic in nature. Neutralize any unique paint colors, remove clutter by removing family photos, nick-nacks , toys, large furniture that takes away from the perceived size of the home. I would also suggest removing pets from the property, as potential purchasers are intimidated by unfamiliar pets. Pets, specifically dogs, cats, chickens, birds and the like, do not in and of themselves devaluate the property, but do affect the aesthetic value placed on the home by potential buyers in the marketplace.
Again, thank you for the opportunity and if I can be of any further assistance, please don’t hesitate to call on me.
Respectfully,
Steve Turner
Regional Branch Manager
SWVA Region
Long & Foster REALTORS
3912 Electric Rd.
Roanoke, VA 24018
Direct Dial: (540) 772-9219
Fax: (540) 772-8885
VISIT MY WEBSITE
Licensed in Virginia
Things To Do in ROANOKE
Here is a letter we received from Suzanne Ashely, addressed directly to City Council:
July 19th, 2009
Salem City Council
Salem, VA 24153
Dear Council Members:
I am writing today in support of the Cox family and all Salem residents being allowed to keep a small, well-kept, backyard flock of hens (not roosters!). These animals are domestic, just like any other domestic cat, dog, gerbil, et. Al. There are those who feel that hens are a safer choice as a domesticated pet over the traditional dog or cat.
My understanding is that domestic fowl is not specifically addressed in the city’s zoning regulations, which means, if the regulations do not say that you can’t have domestic fowl, then you can.
Property value was also mentioned in my discussion with the Cox family, and appraisals are perception only. The home’s condition will stand on its own merit, whether the pet of the home is a domestic dog, cat, hamster, or hen.
Thank you for your time, and I surely hope that you will take the necessary steps to ensure that the Cox family, and the residents of Salem, can keep its flock of hens.
Very truly yours,
Suzanne K. Ashley
REALTOR®