Dear Editor,
I recently found out that the Rock Springs City Council intends to revisit the chicken ordinance on March 4. I urge the Mayor and council to maintain the current prohibition for the following reasons:
It is currently unsafe to allow backyard chickens in our community due to public health concerns.
- Newly Confirmed Cases: The Wyoming Department of Health (WDH) has recently confirmed the state’s first human case of H5N1 avian influenza in an older adult from Platte County. This individual marks the third confirmed hospitalization linked to H5N1 in the United States.
“Most of those confirmed cases involved on-the-job close contact with poultry or cattle and mild symptoms,” said Dr. Alexia Harrist, state health officer and state epidemiologist with the Wyoming Department of Health.
The Wyoming Livestock Board and USDA (APHIS) have confirmed cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in counties including Platte, Sheridan, and Washakie. This virus can affect both commercial and backyard poultry flocks, leading to high mortality rates among domestic birds. Additionally, the CDC warns that Salmonella can cause severe illness, making backyard chickens a risky choice for our community.
- Biosecurity Challenges: Chicken owners must closely monitor their flocks for signs of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), such as coughing, sneezing, and reduced energy or appetite. Reporting sick birds and avoiding contact with infected chickens is important, but maintaining effective biosecurity measures to prevent disease spread is currently a significant challenge.
- Lack of Chicken Care Knowledge Among Residents: Many people take up raising chickens as a hobby, expecting cheap eggs and meat with little effort. This often results in unsanitary conditions, such as offensive odors from accumulated waste, filthy coops, and decaying food scraps, which can attract mice and rats and bring predators like foxes and raccoons into the neighborhood.
- Addressing Animal Welfare Concerns: Many owners keep chickens in unsanitary conditions to save money, leading to untreated illnesses and disease spread. Shipping day-old chicks to Rock Springs via USPS exposes them to dehydration and extreme temperatures, resulting in high mortality rates. Unlike dogs and cats, chickens lack federal protection under the Animal Welfare Act, resulting in potential abuses.
Egg prices are currently high, and with reports of highly pathogenic avian influenza in three counties in Wyoming and one hospitalization, we must consider whether keeping backyard chickens is worth the risk. Safety should always come first.
I urge residents to contact the Mayor and city council members to express their opposition to any proposals that would allow chickens within city limits.
Madhu Anderson
Rock Springs
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