According to the US Department of Agriculture, nearly 13 million Americans own or plan to own chickens in the next 5 years. It is worth noting that those who own larger plots of land are the ones who usually keep chickens compared to those living in urban or suburban locations, but the inclination of city dwellers to own chickens is on the rise. As a result, Blackfoot rental homeowners may experience an increase in the number of requests from residents wanting to keep chickens on their properties. But then again before giving them a reply, it’s vital to recognize why chickens are so widespread right now and the probable downsides that keeping poultry in a residential location may bring.
As rural homeowners can show, there are real perks to keeping chickens on a property. Chickens eat bugs, which significantly lessens the number of pests around a home. They also provide fresh eggs and will abundantly fertilize lawns and other green spaces.
On the other hand, chickens are famous for making a mess, leaving their droppings all everywhere. They frequently roost on patio furniture, leaving a tough-to-clean mess behind. Chickens can likewise smell terrible, creating horrendous odors that neighbors may dislike. Those fresh eggs they lay are not only appealing to humans, but to snakes, skunks, raccoons, and other pesky critters.
A few other drawbacks when keeping chickens include noise concerns and potential damage to exterior features made of wood. Chickens can be very noisy, and not only the roosters. Hens produce a wide range of sounds at painfully inconvenient hours, which neighbors may find infuriating. Chickens also tend to peck at wood, which can create significant damage over time.
Given the dilemmas that come with having chickens, the drawbacks surpass any possible advantages. For Blackfoot property owners, this means that the conclusion to ban chickens may be a simple one. A bigger challenge, however, is making sure that residents do not bring unauthorized animals onto the property and local statutes that may prohibit keeping “farm animals” within city limits.
Real Property Management Pocatello conducts regular property evaluations, monitoring for resident compliance with animal policies as well as the property’s condition. We make it our business to protect the value and state of your rental homes and handle resident communications on your behalf. To learn more about what we have to offer, please contact us online or by phone at 818-208-234-1000 today!
We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. See Equal Housing Opportunity Statement for more information.
