Town may limit mating for chickens
Source: Agencies |
March 20, 2011, Sunday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
CAN you feel the love? Some roosters in New Jersey may not feel it too often as a township plans to limit their conjugal visits with hens.
"It's a noise issue," said John Hart, a farmer who helped draft the chicken ordinance in Hopewell Township.
The measure would limit mating between roosters and hens in backyard farms to 10 days a year and no more than five consecutive nights.
Crowing is strictly prohibited in the relatively rural town but Hart said that could pose a problem.
"That's basically their mating call. In the morning, they wake up the hens and say, 'It's time for me to take care of business,'" Hart said.
The chicken ordinance has been under discussion for three years, ever since a family wanted to erect a backyard coop but was told by the health department it's illegal.
Some people mistakenly think a rooster is needed for a hen to lay eggs, when the rooster is only necessary to fertilize eggs to hatch live chickens, Hart added.
"It's a noise issue," said John Hart, a farmer who helped draft the chicken ordinance in Hopewell Township.
The measure would limit mating between roosters and hens in backyard farms to 10 days a year and no more than five consecutive nights.
Crowing is strictly prohibited in the relatively rural town but Hart said that could pose a problem.
"That's basically their mating call. In the morning, they wake up the hens and say, 'It's time for me to take care of business,'" Hart said.
The chicken ordinance has been under discussion for three years, ever since a family wanted to erect a backyard coop but was told by the health department it's illegal.
Some people mistakenly think a rooster is needed for a hen to lay eggs, when the rooster is only necessary to fertilize eggs to hatch live chickens, Hart added.
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