Dear Editor:
Regarding the April 15 letter, Chickens in Residential Areas? No Clucking Way:
I have lived in both rural and urban settings. For a number of years I raised chickens - 200 or more at the peak. I agree that roosters crow at all hours. However, in four years of raising chickens I have never had a hen crow. How many times have I been wakened by barking dogs? Personally, I would rather hear a rooster.
The maximum allowance for urban chickens is four. Excrement produced from those four chickens would be a great deal less than any cat or dog. Oh yes, I believe that cats and dogs are predators. As for other predators, chickens would increase the visits of our back-door friends.
Diseases? Four chicks in isolated back yards?
Chickens are great for disposing of kitchen waste and the manure they produce is wonderful for gardening. Try using cat or dog manure on your garden or eating anything produced from either.
Have you ever tasted the difference between farm fresh and store bought?
I personally feel it is important for all of us to know how food makes it to our table and would encourage everyone to become more involved in the process.
Lance Bratt North Vancouver
