In February of 2010, students of Dr. Hugh Bartling at DePaul University conducted a survey of more than 20 U.S. municipalities that allow chickens. The survey focused on how the laws were implemented and the issues that arose. Read the original report here.
Archive for the ‘Laws’ Category
17 Apr
Iowa City Joins the Backyard Chicken Movement
I got a call yesterday from the University of Iowa and spoke to a reporter who documented the Iowa City chicken-keeping efforts in this article, published online today (4/17/2012).
This movement was seeded by a former chicken keeper from Albuquerque who wanted backyard hens at her new home.
“Everyone comes to the table with different reasons [for urban chicken keeping],” said LaBadie, who organized several chicken-keeping groups in Albuquerque. “… But it’s not like it’s a brand-new thing. They’re allowed in New York City, Los Angeles, Albuquerque, and larger urban areas. I feel like they could work in Iowa City.”
Go, Iowa!
12 Apr
Palatine, IL, Wants Chickens
A Palatine couple seeks the right to keep chickens. For more information and a link to their Facebook page, read this article.
“Consider being a part of this group to support green living in the Palatine area by allowing backyard hens!” the Facebook page states.
11 Apr
Chickens and Property Values
One of the common complaints of village boards when considering allowing chicken keeping is “But property values will go down.”
Urban Chicken Advocates of Nashville (UCAN) examined the property values of cities that allow chickens and determined that there seems to no direct correlation between chicken keeping and property values. To read the article, click here.
11 Apr
Northbrook, IL, Shoots Down Chickens
In a disappointing 5-2 vote last night, the Village of Northbrook, IL, razed hopes for backyard chicken keepers. Attendees felt the trustees had made their decisions prior to the meeting, rather than entertaining the evidence presented.
This, of course, overshadows the Cubs 7-4 loss over the Brewers.
10 Apr
Annapolis, MD, Approves Chickens
After a particularly protracted debated, which lasted until 1 AM, Annapolis, MD, city council approved chicken keeping.
…the most recent bill allowed for up to five chickens per residence and requires a setback of 5 feet from the property line. All coops must comply with building codes. There will be no roosters allowed, only chickens*. And this legislation has a sunset clause of three years. If the council takes no further action, chickens will once again be banished from the City.
To read more, check out the original article.
*The author means hens. Chicken refers to both genders; hen is female, rooster is male.
9 Apr
The Atlantic on Chicken Welfare
This article addresses the new Egg Products Inspection Act, which it later refers to as “lipstick on a pig.”
In the industrial egg factories where most of America’s eggs are laid, the newly introduced Egg Products Inspection Act would, if passed, make life easier. The bill grew from a compromise between United Egg Producers and the Humane Society of the United States. It would mandate replacing the nation’s 280 million chicken-sized battery cages as they’re called with group cages equipped with amenities like dust baths and perches, while banning some of the cruelest practices associated with egg farming.
To learn more about supporting this act, go to the Humane Society’s webpage.
You can read the text of the bill here.
To nix this bill (see Scott’s comment below), go to Stop the Rotten Egg Bill (http://www.StopTheRottenEggBill.org).
22 Feb
Chickens Approved in Elgin
The city of Elgin, IL, just approved chickens!
Todd Martin made the proposal, and here is his report:
“At tonight’s City of Elgin’s Sustainability Commission meeting, my proposal to allow backyard chickens has been approved. The next step is to meet with Elgin’s planning department for crafting the ordinance, then the Planning Commission, then the City Council. Lots of steps and community involvement along the way. If you have any questions, look at West Dundee’s licensing program; we will be modeling ours on theirs.”
7 Feb
Canadian Right to Food Trial
Piggybacking on my 1/26/2012 post, there is a legal argument over the right to local food in Calgary, which was sparked by backyard hens. Chickens are no longer a pivot point in the argument; it has now encompassed larger issues that involve municipalities determining what their residents consume. Read more here.
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