Dear editor,

Re: Chickens in Courtenay survey.

Let me get this straight. I can go down to Petland and purchase a lizard, a rabbit, a tropical bird, or any other number of exotic pets who do nothing but entertain me, but I can鈥檛 keep a couple of chickens (no roosters) who actually contribute cheap, healthy eggs for my family? 

Whatever happened to eating locally? What about frugally?

I realize we live in a relatively affluent retirement town, but food costs are rising rapidly. Raising chickens for eggs, provides a much cheaper source of protein, with considerably higher nutritional content, than factory produced eggs. The chickens also live a happier, healthier, longer life.

To make things easier for those out there squeamish about chickens, they can easily be kept out of sight in most instances. They take up very little space.

Educationally, what better way for children to see that not all food comes from a package in a supermarket, than to have a small garden patch, a few fruit trees and a couple chickens.

Come on, people! Look at all the positives. I鈥檓 sure we can work out solutions to any negatives. I look forward to a constructive dialogue.

Ryan Orbell,

Courtenay