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43 °F Forecast | Road Cams Sunday, April 3, 2005 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Menu Guide How To Guide Health Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Real Estate Guide Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Passport to the Rogue Valley SHOP OUR VALLEY AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Classified Place an ad TOP JOBS EXTRA Ashland News NIE Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People Volunteer Moving here? eSouthernOregon CUSTOMER SERVICE FAQ's Advertise with us Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend April 2, 2005 Chickens roam the backyard of the Bradfield house on Mira Mar Avenue in Medford. The city is considering new restrictions on the animals. Mail Tribune / Bob Pennell Much ado about chickens Neighbors squabble over whether the pets should be allowed in urban areas By MEG LANDERS Mail Tribune Nine-year-old Megen Bradfield keeps four chickens in her backyard and sells the organic eggs to her aunt, grandmother and a neighbor. "There’s a lot of benefits to having them," said Megen’s mother, Cindy Bradfield, adding the chickens eat black-widow spiders and keep the weeds down. But neighbor Kurt Rudlinger says he doesn’t appreciate the chickens coming into his manicured urban yard on Mira Mar Avenue and has complained to the city about the destruction of his landscaping. "The major thing is the damage they do," said Rudlinger. Cindy Bradfield said they’ve since constructed a wall that contains the chickens, but the question remains: Should chickens be allowed inside city limits? Advertisement The City Council discussed amending the city ordinance at a study session Thursday, and asked staff to come back with proposed restrictions. The issue came to light last year when a neighbor complained to a code enforcement officer about another neighbor’s chickens. Following formal warnings for her six chickens on Murray Street, Ingrid Edstrom asked the council to clarify city code regulating chickens in the city. The council agreed the code didn’t clearly ban chickens, and decided to look into it. Edstrom has since moved to Ashland and her chickens now live on a friend’s rural property, but she remains a supporter of urban dwellers keeping poultry. "They’re absolutely wonderful animals," said Edstrom, adding that fresh eggs are great, the waste makes good fertilizer for the garden, and the birds are good company, besides. "Our chickens liked to sit in our laps — they’re cuddly." Edstrom, who works at the Jackson County animal shelter, said as long as chickens are contained and kept clean, they’re far less of an impact on neighbors than barking dogs. During Thursday’s study session, council members questioned how big a problem this is. "There are chickens out there, believe me, there are more than you can imagine," Planning Director Rob Scott told the council. Councilman Skip Knight was in favor of residents being allowed to keep chickens. He said gardeners use them to keep bugs off flowers. "In limited numbers, I think they’re OK," said Knight. "I’m in favor," said Councilman John Statler. "A near neighbor (of mine) has a couple chickens. I don’t hear ‘em, I don’t smell ‘em." Councilman Jason Anderson, however, thought the poultry should be banned. "I grew up with chickens, goats, geese — everything," he said. "I think when people move into the city, they have an expectation that they’re not going to be dealing with farm animals." Councilwoman Claudette Moore curled her lip throughout the discussion. "I think I have this aversion to chickens because I had to clean the chicken coop," she said. She wasn’t sure where the line should be drawn on which species are OK inside the city and which aren’t. "If they’re domestic animals that can do tricks, great." Mayor Gary Wheeler said he leaned toward an ordinance allowing chickens in residential areas with restrictions. "And that way you could have your chicken and eat it, too," he said. The council directed city staff to draw up a draft amendment to the ordinance which would regulate the numbers and require the animals to be kept clean and contained, similar to Portland’s ordinance. Many cities allow chickens but prohibit crowing roosters. Hens can lay unfertilized eggs, so roosters are not necessary for egg production. Lori Cooper, senior assistant city attorney, said city code clearly states no keeping of livestock, but defines "livestock" as horses, cows, sheep, goats, swine, rabbits, donkeys and mules. Joe Jimenez, Medford’s code enforcement officer, has had several complaints about chickens. "Sometimes chickens don’t bother anybody, sometimes they do," said Jimenez. He’s not issuing any warnings until the council makes a decision. "They want us to hold until they get it fine-tuned," he said. Cindy Bradfield said she could support some restrictions. "I could see having a limit on how many you have," said Bradfield. But she doesn’t think the animals are a nuisance. "They’re even less of a nuisance than a cat," she said. Reach reporter Meg Landers at 776-4481 or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. 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