Real Property Management Clarity Team

Don’t Fowl Out: The Problematic Trend of Sandusky Tenants Keeping Chickens

According to the US Department of Agriculture, nearly 13 million Americans own or plan to own chickens in the next 5 years. Even though the typical owners are those that possess bigger plots of land and not those who are in an urban or suburban setting, there is an increasing number of city dwellers that own chickens. As a result, Sandusky rental homeowners may experience an increase in the number of requests from residents wanting to keep chickens on their properties. Before responding to such requests though, keep in mind that you have to learn more about why chickens are so trendy nowadays and what potential drawbacks you may face when you decide to keep or allow poultry in a residential setting.

Rural homeowners can verify that there are real perks to keeping chickens on a property. Chickens eat bugs, which results in the reduction of the number of pests around the home.

They also provide fresh eggs and will abundantly fertilize lawns and other green spaces.

On the other hand, chickens have a penchant for creating a mess, leaving their droppings all over the place. They opt to roost on patio furniture, leaving behind a hard-to-clean mess. Chickens also smell bad; their unpleasant smells are distracting and could be a nuisance to your neighbors. Their fresh laid eggs attract snakes, skunks, raccoons, and other pesky critters.

A few other drawbacks to keeping chickens include noise concerns and potential damage to exterior features made of wood. Chickens can be relatively loud, and not only the roosters. Hens produce a wide variety of sounds all the time, which neighbors may find bothersome. Chickens also tend to peck at timber, which can create substantial deterioration over time.

Given the difficulties that come with keeping chickens, the drawbacks clearly exceed any potential benefits. For Sandusky property owners, this suggests that the decision to prohibit chickens may be an easy one. A bigger challenge, however, is making sure that residents do not bring unauthorized animals onto the property and local statutes that may prohibit keeping “farm animals” within city limits.

Real Property Management Clarity Team conduct regular property evaluations, monitoring for resident compliance with animal policies as well as the property’s condition. We make it our business to protect the value and condition of your rental homes and handle resident communications on your behalf. To learn more about what we have to bid, please contact us online or by phone at 567-200-2320 today!