MaineToday.com | Give a cheer for the chickens: Give a cheer for the chickens

June 22, 2007

Give a cheer for the chickens

There's a story in today's paper about a 10-year-old South Portland girl who wants the city council to change the law that prohibits chickens from residential areas.

It's a sad day when a kid who really wants a pet chicken is deprived of having one. I'm certain my girls will be up-in-arms with the city of South Portland when I tell them about this story.

The good news is that most commenters on the story seem to be in favor of letting the South Portland girl have her chicken. And the Fair or Foul question today is leaning towards fair as well (note the photo on the question -- the Almeida family has the site's chicken stock photos). It's nice to know the general public is rooting for her.

In my experience, chickens have a lot of entertainment value ... and they really are easy and useful pets to have around (our Top 10 list in favor of feathered friends still stands not to mention that with a little coaching, they do make pretty good movie stars).

Now if the proposal was for having ducks, THAT would be another story altogether.

Posted by Wendy Almeida at 02:02 PM

Comments

This is a great story, and it's already made its way through the Eat Local circuit. As an urban chicken farmer, I'm rooting for her all the way! But she should be made aware that urban raccoons like chicken, too ... but not for their entertainment value or companionship. We have a she-raccoon who has nearly decimated our flock. When you only have six to begin with, losing even one is a hard blow to take.

Posted by W. Brown
June 22, 2007 02:11 PM