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NASHUA, N.H. — It was a cool June evening, and I went to bed with the windows open. It was around 11:30 when I floated off to sleep.

At about 3 a.m., I was awakened by a heavy, steady noise coming from a 20-ton vehicle. I got up to confirm that it was a Nashua fire truck idling its engine some 150 yards away. I couldn’t see much in the darkness but hoped that the person or persons involved were OK. I didn’t smell smoke and laid down again to try and catch my zzzs.

I’m a light sleeper, always have been, but I was comfortable and almost dozing off until …

A bird decided to sing loudly without pause for the neighborhood. It was now 3:29 a.m. I slammed the windows shut and could still hear its soulful tweeting. I turned up the volume on my “ocean waves crashing and Tibetan singing bowls” tape that I often listen to for relaxing my body, mind and spirit. No such luck.

Southern New Hampshire is home to a large variety of birds, and I’m certainly no expert but believe the species serenading my neighbors over and over again rather annoyingly was a northern mockingbird. During mating season, male mockingbirds commonly sing in the middle of the night to attract a mate and “broadcast” territorial boundaries. Great timing, thanks.

When it’s daytime, birds sound beautiful but not when trying to sleep during the wee hours.

Speaking of birds, you can own backyard chickens in Nashua. I was not a fan of this trendy ordinance when it was passed into law a few years ago and still don’t approve. But some folks and their children enjoy raising them on their property.

If you have the acreage, then more power to you, but in New Hampshire’s second-largest city, the rules seem too casual. The way I understand it, Gate City residents are allowed to own backyard chickens if they have a minimum of 10 square feet of space each. To me, that’s too close for comfort.

In Manchester, Queen City residents can own six chickens per half-acre of land, with a minimum of a 20-foot buffer between property lines.

The small city of Lebanon says that a zoning permit is required and allows up to two chickens per acre.

What’s the big deal?

With all due respect, fowl are livestock and belong on farms or in rural areas, where they can freely roam about in nature. They deserve better than a small, urban yard. Let’s be honest, chickens and chicken coops stink, but it’s not their fault. From what I read, it’s the ammonia, which is a natural byproduct found in poultry manure, and when it’s in vapor form, the smell is potent and foul (excuse the pun).

Chickens can also carry germs and bacteria such as salmonella.

All you have to do is look back a few years ago at the town of Chelmsford. A significant rat problem appeared to have developed in one neighborhood due to negligent backyard chicken owners. One frustrated resident next-door told the media that he had caught 53 rats himself.

Some proud, backyard chicken owners might call me a “Dumb Cluck” after this column, but so be it.

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