January 25, 2011

US city to resume backyard chickens debate

US aldermen will reopen discussion on whether raising backyard chickens for fresh eggs should be permitted to be used within the limits of New York's Batavia.

Residents began lobbying last year for the city to relax its existing city code to permit the raising of urban chickens. Proponents said the fresh eggs from a backyard chicken flock taste better and are more nutritious.

The city broke off discussions in August because it was in the midst of finalising the second bridge decision and developing the 2011 budget.

Now it's ready to pick up the chicken debate again.

Alderman Jim Volk, chairman of the City Council City Services Committee, said the committee will have a review of where it left off at 7:30 p.m. February 1. "I envision in March we will have public input," Volk said.

Volk said if the committee decides that it wants to go forward in allowing residents to raise chickens, by April the city would draft an ordinance for the council to consider in May or June.

Volk said the city has received mixed reviews on the subject of chickens.

Some residents have expressed concerns about noise, smell and vermin, while others like the idea of getting fresh eggs out of the backyard.

Two Batavia residents gave a presentation last August on the merits of raising backyard chickens for fresh eggs. Betsy Zinser and Jennifer Warta said raising small flocks of hens for families has become increasingly popular across the suburban landscape.

The women came with a group of proponents asking for a zoning change that would allow for up to eight laying hens and no roosters and prohibit the slaughtering of chickens. They suggested restrictions that include having the hens contained in coops and runs at least 20 feet from the nearest neighbour.