I was pleased to see The Free Press covering the issue of keeping chickens in Mankato.

Hundreds of cities, both large and small, are encouraging responsible chicken ownership for numerous reasons. Chickens eat mosquitoes, ticks, fleas and bugs, which is good for the environment. But most importantly, chicken ownership provides affordable healthy local food. On average, one hen can lay five eggs a week or approximately 260 eggs a year.

I would like to respond to concerns voiced by readers concerning chickens attracting rats, chicken odors and noise. If you have a backyard bird feeder, you know that it is easy to discourage rats by keeping your bird feed in a rat-proof container. Urban chicken owners would be advised to do the same. Just as with any well-cared-for pet, chickens are clean and do not smell. Urban chicken owners typically keep small flocks of six or less chickens, so the amount of guano produced is minimal. A daily cleaning of the droppings keeps coops clean and waste under control. As for chicken noise, hens are quieter than dogs.

Many cities allow backyard hens but no roosters. Mankato could decide to do the same.