Latest news with #backyardchickens
CTV News
9 hours ago
- Politics
- CTV News
Markstay-Warren sees first draft of hen bylaw
While backyard chickens have been debated for years in several northern Ontario communities, Markstay-Warren has drafted a new bylaw.
Fox News
a day ago
- Business
- Fox News
More Americans seek eggs at home as chicken coop interest surges: What experts want you to know
Interest in chicken coops is up among Americans in search of a more affordable way to consume eggs. More people are searching for do-it-yourself chicken coops and purchasing from retailers frequently, according to recent reports and search trends. Research conducted by Australia-based real estate company Eden Emerald Buyers Agent found that searches for "easy DIY chicken coop plans" on Pinterest skyrocketed by 212% in the U.S. within the first three months of 2025. Searches for "backyard chicken coop plans" during this same time on Pinterest surged by 81%, while searches for "chicken coop run" and "chicken coop décor" also increased by 163% and 108%, research showed. Josh Roth, chief buyers agent at Eden Emerald, spoke to Fox News Digital about the growing trend. "As the study suggests, we can expect that chicken coops will appear in many Americans' backyards," he said. A Tractor Supply Co. spokesperson confirmed to Fox News Digital the uptick in chicken coop sales and chicks. "Tractor Supply is the largest retailer of live poultry in the country," the spokesperson said. "We have consistently sold more than 10 million baby chicks each year, and we expect that number to rise this year." "Additionally, the number of poultry shoppers in our stores has increased by more than 50% over the past five years." Kate Murphy, animal preserve caretaker at Hoyt Farm Town Park in Long Island, New York, shared advice for Americans who are interested in raising their own chickens. Having fresh eggs in the backyard avoids the need to pay inflated egg prices. It also offers nutritious eggs without added steroids, Murphy told Fox News Digital. In addition, it can encourage the whole family to participate in a rewarding, outdoor activity. "Chickens are a huge responsibility." But the animal care expert of more than 20 years noted there are "a lot of factors" to consider before making the switch. "Owning any animal is a lot of work, but chickens are a huge responsibility," she said. Murphy first prompted people to consider their ability to commit, since chickens can live up to 10 years or more if cared for properly. "You must take into consideration that your feathered friends may be around a while," she said. "If you are like most Americans and looking to raise chickens for fresh eggs, hens can lay eggs for two to three years at the most and then enter retirement, which they most definitely deserve, because egg laying is brutal on the hen's body." Murphy said chickens "need love" once they're done laying eggs. "The most frequent call I get on the farm is from someone looking to re-home their chickens," she revealed. "They either want to donate their retired hens to me after they have served their purpose, or they thought hatching eggs would be fun … and now they have several loud, crowing roosters in their home." Only hens lay eggs, not roosters – but there's no way to tell the gender of an egg or even a baby chick until several weeks old, Murphy said. "If you really want hens for egg production purposes for your homestead, I recommend doing your research and finding a reputable backyard breeder – someone who specializes in egg-laying breeds and can provide you with healthy, happy chickens who have been sexed as hens." Murphy also instructed homeowners to make sure the hens they purchase are an egg-laying breed, since not all chickens lay eggs the same. But perhaps the biggest commitment is financial, according to Murphy — who noted that avian veterinarians are "not cheap." "Avian vets are a specialty, so they can cost a pretty penny when needed, especially in an emergency," she said. Chicken feed also comes at a price, since the birds require a balanced diet to remain "healthy and productive." Roth agreed that expenses related to raising chickens can add up, such as keeping the coop clean and refurbishing the space to preserve its appearance. "If you're prepared, once you have installed your chicken coop, you will need to keep up with wood care to maintain a polished look and check for damage, such as dampness, to prevent rotting," he said. For those with free-range chickens, Murphy warned that they could be prey and recommended setting up a predator-proof enclosure. An enclosure with a covered hard top and fencing will also protect your flock from exposure to bird flu, which has hit record highs across the country this year. Murphy stressed the importance of making sure it's legal to own a chicken coop where you live. "You have to put in the effort," she said. "Like owning any animal, chickens require a tremendous amount of care. It takes a special person to care for chickens."
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Douglas woman fights to keep her backyard chicken coop
DOUGLAS, Mich. (WOOD) — A Douglas woman is in a legal fight to keep the chickens that she has been raising in her backyard for months. Kathy Sarkisian told News 8 that she has been a big advocate of health and wellness for much of her life. She said that having backyard chickens felt like the next step in that journey, for the added health benefits chicken eggs have. 'It was just absolutely perfect,' she said. 'It fit right into everything I believe in.' So, Kathy went through the permitting process with the city. Ultimately, a zoning official approved her permit and she began building, which she said costs her about $23,000. Shortly after her permit was accepted, the dream started to fade away. She said a city zoning official said a neighbor had objected to her chickens, which according to their city's ordinance would mean that her permit quote 'Shall not be granted, with no right of appeal.' 'When cities subjugate their authority to an individual, another property owner, they create dissension among their residents and that really bothers me,' Sarkisian said. Ultimately, Kathy said she was told to get rid of her chickens, which she did not do, leading her to being fined everyday that she has them. So, she filed a federal lawsuit against the city. A complaint was filed to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan stating: 'The city is depriving Kathy of her constitutional and civil rights, including the right to make productive use of her land without unreasonable governmental interference.' 'What if I had the authority to just say 'Nope, I don't want you to use that, so you can't.' It's kind of the same thing,' Sarkisian said. The lawsuit goes on to add that the city violated its own process by allowing neighbors to object to this after a permit had been granted. Kathy is being represented by the Pacific Legal Foundation. One of her attorneys told News 8 that the ordinance is unconstitutional and a violation of her civil rights protected by the Constitution. 'Neighbors can't wield government power like they are here,' Austin Waisanen, a property rights attorney with the Pacific Legal Foundation told News 8. 'The threat is that next time it won't just be chickens in your backyard, it'll be chickens playing in your backyard or barbequing or many other ordinary uses of land.' Sarkisian told News 8 that this means more to her than just chickens. It's about doing what is right. 'Most everybody told me 'Don't do it, it's going to be a problem, it is going to cost you a fortune, just get rid of the chickens,' and I am like, 'It's just not right. Sometimes you have to stand up and do what is right,'' she said. 'I am not holding any grudges, I just want the city to make it right and create a constitutional law.' News 8 did reach out to the City of Douglas for comment, but they declined due to the ongoing litigation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
