Document text
0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate NEWS NOW Found doctor under investigation by medical board ... Hugo resident reunited with Australian shepherd after seven weeks of searching ... Medford council candidates cite homelessness, economy, desire to serve among priorities ... Found doctor under investigation by medical board ... Hugo resident reunited with Australian shepherd after seven weeks of searching ... Medford council candidates cite homelessness, economy, desire to serve among priorities ... OUR VIEW Our View: City's chickens come home to roost Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Jul. 27, 2016 at 12:01 AM Posted Jul. 27, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Social News Keeping chickens in city backyards is increasingly popular, and a good way to ensure a steady supply of fresh eggs. But people shouldn't get carried away, which is why the city of Medford is right to consider limiting the number of chickens allowed. The issue has surfaced again because of a particular property on Cherry Street in southwest Medford where the residents are reportedly keeping dozens of chickens as well as pigs, much to the dismay of the neighbors. Pigs are not permitted inside the city limits, but city code does provide for livestock to be grandfathered in if animals were being raised on a property that was annexed into the city. In the case of the Cherry Street property, the ownership changed, which eliminated the grandfathered use. The residents have been told to remove the porcine inhabitants of their property, but the city has no authority to limit the number of chickens. A municipal judge ruled in 2007 that the city's livestock ordinance did not prohibit chickens, but it also sets no limit on how many a resident may keep. The ordinance allows the city to take action against residents only if their chickens are a nuisance because of odor or noise. Having a few backyard chickens is reasonable, as long as they don't disturb the neighborhood or create unwelcome odors, as chickens have a tendency to do. Roosters should be banned, as they are in most cities that allow chickens, because of their habit of announcing sunrise — sometimes even before the actual event — at the top of their lungs. Dozens of chickens, however, are hardly compatible with urban living. We don't know precisely how many chickens constitute a reasonable number, but it seems eight to 10 should be in the ballpark. While the city should allow people to have eggs for their own use, and maybe for a small circle of friends and family, it should not allow commercial agricultural operations — even small ones — to set up in residential areas. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Jul. 27, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501