After a third hearing on the pros and cons of allowing chickens to be raised in the city, Wayland’s city council directed the city manager to move forward with drafting a new ordinance to regulate backyard birds.
On Sept. 17, All Species Kinship (ASK) of Battle Creek gave a presentation against allowing chickens in the city due to a lack of awareness by urban farmers of poultry health conditions and proper containment.
ASK rescues abandoned and neglected farmed animals and is seeing an increase in neglect, hoarding and illegal abandonment due to urban or “hobby” farming. However, ASK executive director Sophia DiPietro said if a chicken ordinance is approved by the city, she suggested strict regulations and permit fees to cover the cost to the city when dealing with disease, vaccinations, improper housing, unsanitary conditions, manure management, attraction of rodents and wildlife, inability to identify hens from roosters, enforcement of complaints and inspections.
On Sept. 25, a public meeting was held to hear comments for or against the legalization of chickens in the city. Five residents were for it, one was against and another was on the fence.
Diane Smith of South Main Street said she was not opposed but not all for it either.
“I would want to see lots of rules and regulations if passed,” she said. “I live in a small area with not much space on either side and don’t want them close to me.
“I don’t think the noise and cackling would bother me but in the summer when it gets hot and humid, I wouldn’t want the smell that would come with it.”
Seth Schafer of Geneva Drive attended the meeting with his daughter.
“My kids love them and they make really great pets—and then you get eggs from them which is a really big plus.
“They’re fun to have, have their own personalities and are not hard to take care of—like any animal you have to clean up after them so they don’t smell.
Nancy VandeVoord said not allowing chickens is limiting kids’ education and limiting the growth of the town since it is the millennials who are the growth population—the generation that is concerned with getting natural and fresh foods.
On Oct. 1, Michigan State University Poultry Extension specialist Zac Williams talked of the benefits of raising chickens, especially as 4-H and FFA projects. He said hens are great at bug control and provide fresh eggs eight to nine months of the year. Although after four to five years when no longer laying eggs the birds get old and tough—they’re great for soups and stews.
Williams recommended limiting the number of birds from two to six, which doesn’t generate enough waste to stink. He also recommended not buying chickens from local stores, due to the chances of getting a rooster instead of a hen. Online mail order hatcheries can determine the appropriate sex. He said it’s the roosters that are loud but hens only cackle for a minute after laying an egg.
The only reason not to allow chickens was if there was a commercial poultry operation within 4 miles.
“That’s for bio-security to prevent cross contamination,” he said.
City Council members have been considering an ordinance allowing backyard chickens for more than a year after being approached by residents requesting them. The ordinance was tabled until the new city manager Josh Eggleston could transition into his new job.
After hearing all sides to the issue, Eggleston asked the council what direction they’d like to take. Mayor pro-tem Jennifer Antel asked to start a new ordinance with all the regulations ASK specified for stronger rules, which would also cover the MSU Extension suggestions.
Council member Tim Rose was not in favor of fees up front, but fines for not registering.
“That would send a strong statement to follow the rules,” he said.
Eggleston agreed it should not be too cost prohibitive, noting 90 percent of the problems are by 10 percent of the people. He suggested starting with a limit of up to 10 permits so it didn’t become an administrative nightmare.
A process for review was also suggested.
Virginia Ransbottom can be contacted at vransbottom@allegannews.com or at (269) 673-5534.
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