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Hello Mayor Kuzma and members of the City Council,
<br />My name is Liam Steinberg, and I am 9 years old. As a resident of Ramsey, I am writing
<br />to request you reconsider the city ordinance Ch. 10-Animals- section 1, that states ducks are
<br />not allowed on properties that are less than 3 acres. I would like the council to allow ducks on
<br />properties under the same land regulations as chickens.
<br />I have done some research and would like to provide you with a compelling
<br />argument. While up to 6 chickens are allowed on properties that are city lots up to one -quarter
<br />an acre, ducks are not allowed on properties less than three acres. I am asking that the land
<br />requirement change for ducks to match the requirements that are present for chickens. There
<br />are many reasons and positives as to why ducks should be allowed to have the same
<br />parameters as chickens. The following are my reasons that ducks are not only cooler than
<br />chickens, but better than chickens.
<br />I think ducks are a very underappreciated species. There is a misconception that ducks
<br />need lots of land and water, like a pond, but they do not. Ducks only require a water source that
<br />is large enough for them to dunk their head in. When dipping their head in the water, they can
<br />clean out their nose and eyes, as well as adequately groom themselves. Additionally, ducks do
<br />not need to have much space, just large enough for them to move around, and get their needs
<br />met with food and water while protecting them from predators, because unlike chickens, ducks
<br />are slower and do not have pointed beaks they can use for protection. When compared to
<br />chickens, ducks are less destructive on lawns and gardens. Not only do ducks do incredible
<br />pest management, by eating all the bugs, worms, grubs, etc. it can find, once it spots the insect,
<br />it tracks it until it is caught. Ducks are tenacious, and I admire that about them. Due to the
<br />ducks having webbed feet, ducks do not tend to rip up yards nor do they create small dust
<br />storms for "baths," like chickens.
<br />Ducks are also respectively quieter than the chicken. With a range of vocalizations,
<br />ducks also have a broader range of sounds --having the ability to produce purrs, sighs, whistles,
<br />grunts, quacks, honks, coos, clucks, and groans. Because ducks have such a variety of sounds
<br />could be why some people think ducks are quieter. Chickens just have variations on the
<br />traditional "cluck."
<br />When considering a pet, ducks make great additions. Ducks imprint or follow the first
<br />animal it sees, this makes them adaptable to life with other animals, and people easier. Ducks
<br />are also healthier and have greater longevity than chickens. Ducks live on average 7-10 years
<br />(much like some larger breeds of dogs), whereas chickens live 3-5 years (like hamsters, guinea
<br />pigs, and chameleons). The immune system of a duck is better and heartier than that of a
<br />chicken. Ducks are also able to handle heat and cold temperatures better than chickens. With
<br />Minnesota weather, and the temperature fluctuations we experience, ducks can adapt and
<br />adjust much better than chickens. Especially in the winter, ducks are better equipped to
<br />withstand the harsher weather because they have an extra layer of fat that protects
<br />them. Chickens are more prone to diseases and sicknesses, because they do not spend as
<br />much time around water. Mites and other parasites are attracted to chickens; however, mites or
<br />other parasitic creatures could not attach to a duck due to the wax -like coating ducks place on
<br />their feathers or would drown in water when a duck takes a bath.
<br />Duck benefits do not end there. Duck eggs are bigger by 50-100%, and contain higher
<br />amounts of protein, fiber, and vitamin B12. Some people even think duck eggs taste better than
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