- May 25, 2014
- 110
- 48
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Speech given on Dec. 15, 2014 to Gaithersburg City Hall. Roosters are wrongly discriminated against. Not only that, rooster bans encourage abuse of process. Now that we all know chickens are fun pets, lets stop the unjust ban of roosters.
The rooster ban fails the “darn good reason” test. It also empowers abuse of process.
Our country was built as a republic. It means we must have minimal government with few rules and restrictions. If we are going to make a law that denies freedoms, there better be a darn good reason.
In 2010 our codes were reviewed and we voted to largely keep the rules unchanged except we decided to ban roosters. We did this even though:
1) There were no prior problems with roosters
There was no need to single out any particular animal because:
2) We already have rules for noise pollution that should apply to every animal
Further our codes had already stated:
3) Unlawful to keep a “crowing rooster”
Before 2010, our citizens were already protected from noise pollution issues related to chickens. We made a big mistake in changing the rules.
Chicken collars are simple and effective
================================
When you attach a simple collar to a chicken, it prevents the crowing. They cannot fill their windpipe to make the loud noise. All other noises and chicken activities are still possible. Regardless of sex, it is the way to go. We already have regulations in place for dog barking and nuisance complaints… why make distinctions between animals? Noise is noise, it should not be tolerated - period.
A flock benefits from a rooster
=================================
A rooster stops bickering amongst hens. A rooster protects hens. A rooster warns hens of danger. Most of all, a rooster will find worms and food then encourage the hens to eat first. It is a wonderful sight.
Neglected animals
=================================
Because of rooster laws, many are slaughtered simply because of their gender. Many birds are sent to animal shelters but they can’t keep them all. Rather than see them become Tuesday night dinner, many owners would rather let their roosters run wild — this is even more cruel. It is not humane.
Roosters are loving
=================================
"Frizzle” the Rooster was a very special family pet to the Burritt family. Just one of the many traits that made Frizzle such a great pet: he was litterbox trained! No kidding! The Burritt family picked up Frizzle at a local farm market, where he had been left after his previous owner died. The Burritt family couldn't resist and brought him home, where the rooster amazingly learned how to go poo in the litterbox by watching the family cat! Ever since then, he lived in the house as the beloved family pet, greeting everyone who knocked on the door and sleeping in the family quarters.
Abuse of process
=================================
Perhaps the best reason to lift the rooster ban is to prevent abuse of process. Do not give anyone the ability make false claims that must be explored. Do not make animal control have to figure out the sex of a chicken. There are over 150 breeds of chicken in all shapes and colors. It is not so easy to determine the sex of a chicken, even experts get confused. So why do it? Focus on what really matters which is the health and cleanliness of the animals and if they are making unwanted levels of noise. Don’t focus on male vs. female.
The rooster ban fails the “darn good reason” test. It also empowers abuse of process.
Our country was built as a republic. It means we must have minimal government with few rules and restrictions. If we are going to make a law that denies freedoms, there better be a darn good reason.
In 2010 our codes were reviewed and we voted to largely keep the rules unchanged except we decided to ban roosters. We did this even though:
1) There were no prior problems with roosters
There was no need to single out any particular animal because:
2) We already have rules for noise pollution that should apply to every animal
Further our codes had already stated:
3) Unlawful to keep a “crowing rooster”
Before 2010, our citizens were already protected from noise pollution issues related to chickens. We made a big mistake in changing the rules.
Chicken collars are simple and effective
================================
When you attach a simple collar to a chicken, it prevents the crowing. They cannot fill their windpipe to make the loud noise. All other noises and chicken activities are still possible. Regardless of sex, it is the way to go. We already have regulations in place for dog barking and nuisance complaints… why make distinctions between animals? Noise is noise, it should not be tolerated - period.
A flock benefits from a rooster
=================================
A rooster stops bickering amongst hens. A rooster protects hens. A rooster warns hens of danger. Most of all, a rooster will find worms and food then encourage the hens to eat first. It is a wonderful sight.
Neglected animals
=================================
Because of rooster laws, many are slaughtered simply because of their gender. Many birds are sent to animal shelters but they can’t keep them all. Rather than see them become Tuesday night dinner, many owners would rather let their roosters run wild — this is even more cruel. It is not humane.
Roosters are loving
=================================
"Frizzle” the Rooster was a very special family pet to the Burritt family. Just one of the many traits that made Frizzle such a great pet: he was litterbox trained! No kidding! The Burritt family picked up Frizzle at a local farm market, where he had been left after his previous owner died. The Burritt family couldn't resist and brought him home, where the rooster amazingly learned how to go poo in the litterbox by watching the family cat! Ever since then, he lived in the house as the beloved family pet, greeting everyone who knocked on the door and sleeping in the family quarters.
Abuse of process
=================================
Perhaps the best reason to lift the rooster ban is to prevent abuse of process. Do not give anyone the ability make false claims that must be explored. Do not make animal control have to figure out the sex of a chicken. There are over 150 breeds of chicken in all shapes and colors. It is not so easy to determine the sex of a chicken, even experts get confused. So why do it? Focus on what really matters which is the health and cleanliness of the animals and if they are making unwanted levels of noise. Don’t focus on male vs. female.