Frequently Asked Questions

CLUCK Red Deer’s Frequently Asked Questions

last updated May 2014

Who in their right mind would want to have chickens in the city?!

We are professionals, technical trades-people (including the oil & gas industry), parents, educators (all grade levels, including post-secondary), community support staff, artists, scientists, administrators… the list goes on. We are regular, productive Red Deer citizens who care about food and animal welfare.

What are the benefits of keeping your own urban flock?
1. They are excellent pets: chickens are low maintenance and can fit in a garden, whilst being infinitely more interesting than a goldfish or hamster. They provide hours of entertainment as they peck and scratch and preen and dust bathe and sometimes run or flap round. They have very individual personalities and come in all colours, shapes and sizes.
2. They lay eggs!  
3. Waste reduction: chickens eat weeds, bugs and kitchen scraps, turning it all into rich compost material for gardens and eggs while reducing municipal organic waste.
4. Nutrition: compared to factory farmed eggs, eggs from hens allowed to move about and range have:
1/3 the cholesterol
1/4 the saturated fat
2/3 more Vitamin A
2 times more Omega-3 fatty acids
3 times more Vitamin E
7 times more beta carotene (1, 2)
5. They are an excellent conduit for environmental and agricultural education for children: back yard chickens are an aid for teaching responsibility, to understand where food comes from, and to appreciate the work that goes into responsible animal husbandry.
6. Food sovereignty: you have some control what your hens eat*, which will affect the quality of the eggs they lay. If you feed them fresh, organic, nutritionally dense, hormone and antibiotic-free food, they will give you fresh, organic, nutritionally dense, hormone and antibiotic-free eggs. They will also be less expensive than the same eggs bought from a store or vendor -which are difficult to find as it is! (*There are set parameters which must be followed to ensure your hens are meeting their basic nutritional requirements.)
7. Local sourcing: it doesn't get any more local than your own back yard! By purchasing feed locally, hen-keepers are supporting local producers and vendors.
8. Animal rights: nearly all of the eggs that are sold by the large grocery chains are produced by animals that are treated atrociously. Properly maintained hens in urban yards live the life of luxury in comparison. Members of the Urban Hens Pilot Project in Red Deer have had their flocks inspected by a poultry expert from Alberta Agriculture who specializes in poultry behaviour and we have been informed that the Red Deer urban hens are in impressive condition.

Why do we need a bylaw?

As more families decide to keep chickens in Red Deer, it would be in the best interest of the community that reasonable limits (like those put on cat and dog ownership) be put in place. This ensures that community standards are respected, the chickens are kept healthy and treated humanely, and that an avenue exists for addressing concerns. By drafting a bylaw to set parameters for healthy hen-management, the City of Red Deer and the citizens of Red Deer will ensure that the experience of urban hens does not adversely affect hens or neighbours.

Won't chickens be a nuisance in the city?
Unlike some dogs, hens will never bark at passing pedestrians or cars. Unlike some cats, they are much more easily confined to a coop and enclosed run, and will not wander around the neighbourhood, prowling or digging (and pooping) in the neighbours' yards and gardens. 

As with dogs and cats, responsible pet ownership is key: properly cared for hens produce no more noise or waste than other properly cared for pets. They do, however, provide something other pets can't: fresh eggs!

It has been suggested often enough to warrant mentioning: cities such as Mexico City or Bangkok have chickens running loose and these cities are unclean and crowded and the concern is that allowing chickens to live in Red Deer will turn our city into an unclean urban area. Besides the obvious points that there are significant cultural, social, economic and climatic difference between such cities and Red Deer, it’s ludicrous to imply that the keeping of urban hens is the cause of such effects. 

Also bear in mind that the effort, time and money required to acquire an urban flock and their specific requirements are greater than they are for cats and dogs (for example). These costs inherently weed out the irresponsible or fickle. 

I grew up on a farm and now live in the city because I don’t want to put up with farm animals, why should I put up with chickens in my neighbourhood?
Urban flocks will not come anywhere near the size or scope of rural flocks, nor will they have nearly the impact. By designating flock limits (absolutely NO roosters and a limit of 6 hens), an urban flock will be barely noticeable (see other FAQ regarding noise and smell). Any of several CLUCK Red Deer members will happily give tours of their coops and flocks for those who doubt this.

What happens if someone with hens doesn’t take care of them properly and intervention is required? (Or if a family decides they can no longer afford hens or they are no longer interested?)
In the chance that a flock is unwanted or must be confiscated, CLUCK Red Deer offers its resources to either re-home healthy birds or will suggest a local veterinarian that will safely euthanize ill ones.

If there is no interest (or space) in the current Urban Hen community to re-home healthy hens, we have made arrangements with two local farms to be, for lack of better term, Retirement Homes for Urban Hens. A system has been agreed upon by all parties for hens to be inspected (verified healthy), transported to the farm(s) once each spring and fall, kept in quarantine for a safe period, then allowed to enjoy farm life. By enabling unwanted hens to find good homes, it will ensure Animal Shelter resources need not be burdened with chickens, that people who become attached to their hens can rest easy that they will have a good life and that Biosecurity Practices are maintained.

CLUCK Red Deer has also been in contact with Alberta Animal Services to offer support and expertise as it may be required.

What happens if/when a hen becomes ill?
We have contacted a local veterinarian’s office (Deer Park Pet Hospital) and Dr.Higgins is familiar with birds and will assist as necessary (he has already treated at least one Urban Hen). They are also able to euthanize birds that cannot be helped and safely dispose of the remains.

Some minor conditions (such as the presence of lice or mites) can be treated by the hen-owners with products carried at local farm-supply stores (Peavey Mart in Red Deer and UFA just to the northwest of the city are 2 excellent resources).

What do people do if a hen dies?
The same thing as is done with any other pet that unexpectedly dies: bury it or bag it well and add it to the weekly garbage collection. We have contacted the Red Deer Waste Management facility to confirm that this is acceptable.

Are hens easy to look after?

Yes -even for those families who are away (at work and/or school) all day. Hen-keepers only need to let them out of the coop each morning, feed them and check for eggs, then shut them in the coop at night, ensuring they have fresh water & feed available.  In addition to regularly cleaned food and water dishes, the coop needs to be cleaned out about once a week; with some urban chicken coops this is much simpler than others (coop design should take this into consideration). As with any pet, they may occasionally contract illnesses or parasites. Treatments are readily available at the agricultural supply stores within the Red Deer area (Peavey Mart and UFA).

Are they friendly?

Generally chickens make very good pets and are docile. Many breeds are well suited to urban settings due to their gentle temperament and ability to handle confinement better than others. Research is important, as some are more highly-strung and nervous than others. (A reliable local breeder can take all of these things into consideration and suggest breeds and/or specific hens for an urban home.)

Hens are easily won over with treats and, once they adjust to their new home, will come running over if they see a familiar person coming. With patience and careful handling, some can become tame enough for children to pick up and/or pet.
 

Are chickens expensive?

The cost of the hens themselves is highly variable, depending on breed (and bloodline), age and breeder/source. Typically a young hen who has begun to lay eggs will cost $10-30.

Food, such as conventional layer crumble is ~$15-20 for a 25kg bag and would last ~2 months for 3-4 chickens. Organic feed is ~$26 per bag. Keep in mind that prices vary by brands and that amount required varies with breed, age and size, quality of the feed, and whether they are supplemented with kitchen scraps.

Chickens also need a fresh supply of water –tap water is adequate. 

Wood shavings work great as bedding in the coop and nests, which is ~$7-8 a bale and may last many months. Bales of straw can be obtained from local farmers for $4-6/bale.

The largest expense is the coop and the attached enclosure (the run). Pre-made coops are typically small, un-insulated and may cost $300-$400. To build one’s own will likely cost near the same amount, though it may be less if it is build with salvaged or donated materials.

Other costs include various parasite-treatment products (&c), electricity if one plans to supplement light and/or heat, grit and oyster-shell, treats & such.

Can chickens fly?

Chickens are birds and they have the inherent ability to fly as necessary to save their lives (such as reaching a tree limb to escape). In general they can flap a few feet into the air and land on perches but cannot fly well or far or long. Young chickens and bantam (small breed) chickens are lighter and may be able to fly better than larger, mature ones. As a full sized hen matures and fills out it is less likely to get much height. 

A standard 6-foot backyard fence is typically enough to keep them contained, though one may have to keep an eye out for things they can use partway up. It works well to keep them contained in the same area all the time so they come to regard that area as their territory and they will not feel comfortable passing outside of it.

One can clip a chicken's wings on one side to unbalance them. This is a painless procedure and is a good idea for new birds to prevent escapes from the backyard. The feathers will grow back in about 12 months, so they will need to be clipped annually. It is also recommended to alternate wings so they do not adapt to flying with one weak wing.

Do they lay many eggs?

The number of eggs each hen can or will lay varies with breed, age and even between individual birds. A 'good' layer that is healthy and at her prime may provide 4-5 eggs per week.

Chickens typically start to lay eggs between 4-6 months, though some breeds can take longer. During the winter it will likely take longer because shorter daylight hours and poor weather affect egg production.
 
Chickens moult seasonally and lose their feathers, at which point they stop laying -they are using the extra energy to grow back feathers.

Some chickens may go broody (sit on the nest to incubate eggs), the tendency to go broody is typically breed-specific. While broody, egg production halts.

An ill chicken will likely stop laying -eggs require a lot of energy to produce!  

Also note that chickens can live for several years, but egg production will be greatest in the first year or two.

What do you do with extra eggs? (Can surplus eggs be sold?)
Given that the limit of 6 hens is limit and not minimum, many families have chosen to have only 3 or 4 hens and this means they have the eggs that they need for themselves and do not have excess. Also consider that some families have the full compliment of 6 and feel that they do not have enough eggs!

It is possible, at any rate, that a family will find themselves with more eggs than they require. It is a common courtesy for surplus eggs to be given to neighbours as a gesture of good community (and, in many cases, as payment for coop-watching while the Urban Hen keepers are away on holidays). Extended family or friends are also excellent and happy recipients of excess eggs.

Please know that it is against provincial regulations to sell eggs (whether they be inspected or uninspected) without a license (3).

Do chickens attract predators?

Fortunate as we are to have an extensive park system that winds through the city, we live with the reality that wildlife is never far away. The good news is that well-kept urban chickens do not attract predators any more than cats or small dogs do. A predator-proof coop and run will eliminate the chances of your birds falling victim to hungry wildlife. Predators are opportunists looking for easy meals.

Keep in mind that all responsible pet owners want to protect their pets, and chicken owners are no exception -families keeping chickens in the city ensure that they are kept in safe enclosures and that their feed is kept in rodent-proof containers.

Are hens noisy?Hens don't typically make a lot of noise, just the occasional clucking or crooning sound as they go about their business. They are social animals who make sounds to let other members of their flock know what’s going on. They will make specific noises to announce the discovery of treats, to warn of potential danger (a hawk flying overhead) or to declare that an egg has been laid. All of these sounds are subtle and would not be heard inside your own home. A hen would not wake a sleeping baby!

This chart details relative sound levels of several common sources of noise:

(4)

That said, SOME hens are just more vociferous than others. Talking with a reliable breeder can help you find breeds -or particular hens- that are quiet and well suited to an urban environment. Most breeders will offer an exchange if a hen winds up being on that just happens to be excessively chatty.

Some of the fun of keeping small urban flocks is getting to know the individual sounds that each hen makes.
 

Don’t you need a rooster to get eggs?

No, hens will lay eggs whether you have a rooster or not.

Urban chicken keepers do not keep roosters because they crow through out the day and may be annoying. Also bear in mind that, due to musky hormones, roosters are also smellier than hens.

Urban chicken keepers would be just as annoyed by rooster crowing as their neighbours!

Are hens smelly?

Well-kept urban coops are cleaned out regularly and do not smell. Urban conditions are such that numbers must be kept to a minimum (no more than 6) with adequate space for the flocks’ needs. Such a small flock is easily managed for smell.

Pine wood shavings are ideal bedding for the urban coop, they absorb moisture and the hens will naturally scratch and turn the bedding over daily, which causes their droppings to fall to the bottom so the top remains fresh. Weekly surface cleaning and monthly full-removal of bedding is adequate.

It’s a good idea to keep the coop-cleaning in mind when buying a pre-made coop or designing a home made coop: the easier it is to clean, the more likely that you will do so!

What about the poop?
Chicken poop is a gift to any gardener! It is excellent for top-dressing gardens or for adding to a compost pile. 

Please note that fresh chicken manure is very high in Nitrogen and should not be directly added to soil or have plants rooted directly into it, it may burn them. Chicken manure must first be composted or used as a top-dressing where it will gradually be worked into the soil by microorganisms and rain.

If you are not a gardener, it can be added to your regular city waste -just like cat litter. CLUCK Red Deer has contacted the Red Deer Waste Management facility to ask about this and, as far as they’re concerned, it’s no different from cat or dog wastes and is acceptable. (Just like cat litter, it should be securely bagged.)

Does having a few hens in your backyard really make an impact on waste disposal?
YES!! Chickens are omnivores and, given the opportunity, will happily eat any leftover human foods (as long as it’s not spoiled). Vegetables, fruits, breads and even meats are considered treats to our hens.

Consider the following information compiled by WUCA (Winnipeg Urban Chickens Association):
“(1 hen) (7 pounds food waste/month) (12 months) = approx. 84 pounds.
Big deal, you think. That’s not so much.
But what if Winnipeg had 2,000 homes with 6 hens?
(6 hens) (84 pounds of food waste/hen/year) (2,000 homes) = 1,008,000 pounds (504 tonnes) of biomass diverted from the Brady Road Landfill, and a savings of $21,924 in tipping fees ($43.50/ tonne) per year. The tax savings in not having to handle, transport and store all that biomass waste by reusing them onsite is staggering, especially since no operating costs exist.” (4)

If the City of Red Deer takes it’s Waste Management Strategy seriously, the support of urban hens is a boon to the project.

Can hens get along with my other pets (dogs or cats)?
Peaceful cross-species co-existence is possible, but it depends on several factors. How strong is your pet's predatory instinct? How well is it trained? How large is it? How large are your hens? Do you have (or plan to have) a secure, enclosed run for the chickens?

A typical large-breed hen will not be threatened by a typical cat. They weigh close to the same and, with the aid of feathers, appear much larger. Keep in mind that chickens are equipped to protect themselves with strong, quick pecks from their very hard beaks. A few sharp pecks will likely be enough to teach any overly-curious cats a lesson.

Dogs may be more complicated, due to their size and personality differences. Some current urban hen-keepers in Red Deer are also dog-owners and they all co-exist peacefully. If you take the time to introduce the new pets to your dog and you are on top of your dog's training, they may be able to hang out together in the back yard all summer long. You must judge your pets' self-control and overall personality. 

If you are unsure but still want to keep hens, it is strongly suggested that you build a secure, enclosed run (of adequate size) that will contain the hens and keep them safe from potential threats and do not allow them to range freely in your yard.

Bear neighbours' pets in mind, too. Do your neighbour's dogs bark at anything and everything? Giving them something else to bark at might drive everyone batty/battier (including stressing your hens)!!

What about the winter? What happens to the hens then?
Given the proper tools (adequate nutritious food and water, insulated coops, regular inspections), chickens are capable of surviving even our own difficult winters in their coops. Some breeds are a better fit for cold than others, so we do recommend researching what breeds are best suited to the Red Deer climate but, even less hardy breeds can be accommodated with supplemented heat.

What about avian (bird) flu?
It is not a concern. Small urban backyard flocks are closed flocks that do not come in contact with commercial operations.

“Transmission from birds to human remains difficult, usually involving prolonged and close contact, and human-to-human transmission has been suspected in only a handful of cases. The greatest risk of infection for humans appears to be through the handling and slaughtering of live infected poultry.” (5)

Slaughter of animals is prohibited in the City of Red Deer.

According to the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control (which conducted extensive research before Vancouver passed its chicken bylaw):

"Overall, the risk of pathogen transmission associated with

backyard chicken keeping appears to be mild and does not

present a greater threat to population health compared to

other animals allowed by similar bylaws (reptiles, dogs, etc).(5)"

Basically, chickens are no more likely to make someone sick than a dog, cat or iguana.

The Province of Alberta requires all owners of poultry (including small urban flocks) register their flocks into a provincial database. This will enable the province to keep track of potential illnesses before they become a problem.

What happens when hens become older and are no longer producing many eggs?
As with hens that are unwanted, they may be taken to the Deer Park Pet Hospital where they may euthanize an injured or unwanted hen for a minimal price (last quoted as $20) and the animal will be disposed of safely or, if healthy, they may be re-homed through CLUCK Red Deer network or taken to the ‘Retirement Home’ at one of 2 local farms.

Can you eat your chickens?

Urban Hens are intended to be pets and to provide eggs. Many of the ornamental breeds often kept by urban flock owners are not bred for their meat traits -these birds would not be at all like the prepared roasting chickens you see in the grocery store or market. It is not that urban hens are inedible; they would not be ideal to eat after they have been laying eggs -they are past the ideal age and would be extremely tough.

Bearing in mind that hens do not begin to lay eggs until they are 4-5 months old, that there is a suggested limit of 6 hens, and the amount of work and cost investment required to acquire and keep hens, the logistics of raising them for meat in the city are very poor.

Hens that die of natural causes may have been ill and should not be eaten, under any circumstances.

*Please also note that it is illegal to slaughter animals within Red Deer City limits.*

If Council votes in favour of keeping urban hens, what role will CLUCK Red Deer play?
CLUCK Red Deer is whole-heartedly committed to ensuring the safety, health and happiness of all involved; the hens, the hen-keepers and the community. We will continue to offer and teach courses on how to keep urban hens. We will continue to offer feedback and support to all who ask. We will gladly work with the City to demonstrate successful hen-keeping via Open-Coop tours and attendance at various events.

The core members of CLUCK Red Deer have already begun discussing how best to maintain our role and be equipped to offer the necessary resources (time, courses, &c) as the numbers of urban hen-keepers may increase.

If you have further questions or to visit an urban coop to see what it’s all about, please feel free to contact CLUCK Red Deer at any time: cluck.reddeer@gmail.com

References

1. Mother Earth News: Meet Real Free-Range Eggs
http://www.motherearthnews.com/real-food/tests-reveal-healthier-eggs.aspx#axzz2yKbVhR5z

2. Cambridge Journals Online: Vitamins A, E and fatty acid composition of the eggs of caged hens and pastured hens

http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=7219036

3. Province of Alberta: Egg Farmers of Alberta Marketing Regulation http://www.qp.alberta.ca/1266.cfm?page=1997_293.cfm&leg_type=Regs&isbncln=9780779738762

4. Winnipeg Urban Chicken Association: Report for Council
http://wuca.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/winnipeg-urban-chicken-association-report-for-council-dec-2012.pdf

5. City of Vancouver Policy Report: Guideline for the Keeping of Backyard Hens
http://former.vancouver.ca/ctyclerk/cclerk//20100408/documents/penv3.pdf