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!