I live in a neighborhood very close to downtown within the city limits and I have had a minimum of three hens and as many as five for several years now, way before the hipster foodies started pushing for it. Over this time I have learned several things about keeping chickens in a neighborhood.
1. My neighbors (three sides) had no clue we had them for over a year.
2. Not once has anyone complained about a smell.
3. Not once has anyone complained about noise.
4. If they managed to escape into the yard, all I have to do is take some scratch in plastic cup and shake it. They come running to where ever I am.
5. I haven't found a tick on my kids since I had chickens.
6. I have had more chickens die due to loose dogs than any other wildlife...which was surprising.
7. Chickens are funny, smart, and stupid all at the same time.
8. My neighbor's dog makes way more noise than my girls. (Maybe the City Council can ban annoying barking dogs.)
9. Chickens are easier to take care of than my dog.
10. The eggs are better. I see it as the same as store bought tomatoes vs home grown tomatoes.
This is just another instance of big government getting involved in the private lives of regular citizens. This regime, I mean, City Council, has decided to infringe upon property owners rights once again. I would have loved for my animals to come out of the shadows and become legal residents of the city of Chattanooga. Guess that will not happen until we get some City Council members that care about individual rights, liberty, and small government.
Bill Schlitz
Chattanooga