The current Salisbury, NC city ordinance that bans roosters is now outdated and no longer fits 21st century realities. Due to climate change concerns, many people are adding chickens as part of an urban rewilding landscape, and to produce organic eggs for themselves. Hens are healthier if there is a rooster present plus roosters benefit the overall environment.

Benefits of having roosters in the flock include the following:

•Roosters keep away predators, including feral cats and snakes.

•Roosters are less noisy than other domestic animals and everyday traffic.

•All chickens provide excellent fertilizer, which many people use in their urban gardens.

•A flock without a rooster can lead to the hens fighting for dominance, sometimes to the death.

•Roosters help bring a calmer environment to the flock as a whole, therefore increasing egg production.

•Roosters diversify nutrition for hens by searching out bugs and morsels, then sharing them with the flock.

We, the following members of our community, support updating the Salisbury, NC city ordinance to allow roosters in the city limits.

This petition will be sent to Salisbury, NC city council.