According to the US Department of Agriculture, nearly 13 million Americans own or plan to own chickens in the next 5 years. According to data though, people who are owners of bigger plots of land are the ones who often own chickens compared to those who are in an urban or suburban setting, however, it also worth mentioning that there is a growing trend of city dwellers owning chickens. As a result, Filer rental homeowners may experience an increase in the number of requests from residents wanting to keep chickens on their properties. It is best to educate yourself why chickens are becoming more and more popular right now, and because of the possible drawbacks to keeping poultry in a residential setting, it would be better to keep yourself informed before agreeing to it.
As rural homeowners can prove, there are real benefits to keeping chickens on a property. Chickens eat bugs, which results in a diminished number of insects around a home. They also provide fresh eggs and will abundantly fertilize lawns and other green spaces.
Then again, chickens have a nasty penchant for being messy; they tend to leave their droppings everywhere. They love to roost on patio furniture, leaving a hard-to-clean mess behind. Chickens can also smell awful, creating unpleasant odors that neighbors may not like. Those fresh eggs they lay are not only desirable to humans, but to snakes, skunks, raccoons, and other pesky critters.
A few other drawbacks to keeping chickens include noise concerns and potential damage to exterior features made of wood. Chickens can also be pretty noisy, and not just the roosters. Hens make a lot of different sounds at wee hours, which neighbors may find frustrating. Chickens also tend to peck at wood, which can create substantial damage over time.
With all of the concerns that come with keeping chickens, the drawbacks clearly outweigh any potential benefits. For Filer property owners, this means that the decision to prohibit chickens may not be so hard after all. 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 Magic Valley 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 208-734-4001 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.
