No one knows, of course, what's coming with the Avian Flu. This could prove to be the most ill-advised time in history for a guy like me to take on urban chickens. We don't know what the future of birds holds. In two years time we could be living in a far different world: Total Avian Extermination? Witch hunts against all bird life? Who knows. Perhaps chickens will be revered as gods. No matter what happens, there will be many questions.
As of March 2006, the Avian Flu has not appeared in the US. My two baby hens were born last week down the road in Half Moon Bay. As domestic chickens I'm told they'll remain healthy--unless they encounter infected migratory birds some time in the future.
So the eventual risk of infection is there. Will they have to be surrendered and destroyed? Will I die?
If I sleep, will clowns eat me?
No shortage of Worst-Case Scenarios in my mind, and I expect my neighbors will each, in turn, have some serious concerns too.
Well. I'm just putting forth to my friends and neighbors that, as a newly created urban chicken person, I pledge to stay current and informed and to do the right thing. If it becomes dangerous to have birds then they'll be surrendered to the men in space suits at the front door. I'd just remind everyone that this is exactly how "Planet Of The Apes" got started....
My sources so far: The City Chicken; backyardchickens.com; Yahoo Urban Chickens Group.