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 with vast areas of land are the ones commonly owning chickens as compared to those who are in the urban or suburban areas. Although recently there has been an increase in the amount of the city dwellers that own chickens. As a result, Monroeville rental homeowners may experience an increase in the number of requests from residents wanting to keep chickens on their properties. However, before deciding whether or not you will allow them to own chickens, it’s right to educate yourself why it is so popular right now and then determine if keeping poultry in a residential setting is good or not.
In fairness, there are real benefits to keeping chickens on the property, and rural homeowners can prove it. Chickens eat bugs, which means keeping them will help reduce the number of pests around a home. They also provide fresh eggs and will abundantly fertilize lawns and other green spaces.
Although, chickens are known for creating a mess—leaving behind their droppings wherever they go. They also tend to roost on patio furniture, and their mess is tough to clean. Chickens can even smell awful, creating an unpleasant stink that neighbors will not welcome. Those fresh eggs they lay also attracts 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 be quite raucous, and not just the roosters. Hens make a wide range of sounds all the time, which neighbors may find exasperating. Chickens also tend to peck at wood, which can create significant damage over time.
Factoring in all these issues that come with keeping chickens, the disadvantages clearly overshadow any potential benefits. For Monroeville property owners, this means that the decision to forbid chickens may be an easy 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 Three Rivers 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 status 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 724-804-8254 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.
