Poultry pros weigh in on chicken debate

As the Newcastle City Council continues to work on a proposed backyard chicken ordinance, Mayor Pam Gualtieri asked J.D. and Cindy Rhoades, the poultry superintendents at the Weston County Fair, to attend the Sept. 6 council meeting to explain the difference between raising chickens in backyards and raising them outside of city limits. 
“We are willing to do community classes if the ordinance is passed about how to take care of them, how to raise them — anything, any issue,” Cindy said. Classes would be provided through the Weston County Extension office. 
Earlier that evening, Gualtieri read a letter to the council from a concerned citizen, who worried that allowing chickens within the city limits will bring unwanted smells and noises, as well as the attraction of other animals and predators. These concerns were addressed by the superintendents. 
Cindy said most of the concerns people have with chickens, including smell and noise, are a greater concern for her own flock because it is much larger. It won’t be much of an issue with a limit of four to six chickens per yard.
“When you’re limiting chickens to that size, you’re really looking at a minimal risk,” Cindy said. “I’m not really sure that amount of birds is really going to draw in extra predators.” 
She said that chicken excrement can be used as fertilizer, so the contamination concerns are less than that of excrement from household pets. The risk of disease is also lower with fewer chickens. 
“We have to watch our flock closer than what people in the ordinance would have to,” Cindy said. 
The couple said requiring some sort of fencing for the chickens is important; otherwise, they will most likely end up all over the neighborhood. 
Some of the ordinance proposals include a $5 application fee, a limit of six chickens, a 6-foot-tall fence for chickens roaming outside the coop, regulations on heating and wiring, coop cleanings every two weeks, and a $100 per day violation fee. 
City Clerk-Treasurer Stacy Haggerty said that the proposed ordinance is not yet in effect and is subject to change.
The proposed ordinance suggests either Romex or outdoor-rated electrical wiring to power heating lamps, as well as requiring at least 14-gauge, if extension cords are used. Any installed outlets must be equipped with ground-fault circuit interrupters.
Councilman Ty Owens, an advocate for backyard chickens, said some of the regulations in the ordinance seem designed to discourage people from getting chickens. Resident Barb Crow said most of the concerns people expressed regarding noise, nuisance and health are covered in other ordinances. 
“I think we’re getting so picky over this,” Crow said. “This is going on forever — let’s just do it.” 
Also discussed at the meeting was the probability that not everyone will get chickens or that those who initially do will later not want them. Gualtieri said that Vicki Hayman offered to provide a list for those who want to rehome chickens.  Hayman is the University of Wyoming extension educator in Newcastle.
J.D. said that most of the people who want chickens have probably already raised them before and know the proper care. Others might get them and decide they aren’t worth the work.
The couple said that they are willing to answer questions from those interested in learning more about raising chickens and can be reached via Facebook or the Weston County Extension office, which also provides brochures. 
“We have resources, and we are a resource,” Cindy said.