Chickens may be allowed in backyards

BURTON — Chickens could soon be coming to a backyard near you if an ordinance is approved by the city council.

Legislative committee and city council members tossed around the idea during Monday evening’s meetings. Most members agreed they would have no problem will allowing a suitable number of feathered hens on personal property, if some regulations were in place on the amount, such as requesting a permit space and no allowance of roosters.

Legislative committee chairman Paula Zelenko commented she know of a lot of people in the city with “underground chickens” that use them to harvest eggs for themselves or family. The city does not currently have an ordinance that allows for chickens in backyards.

Zelenko said many places around the state, including Ann Arbor, East Lansing, Traverse City, Ypsilanti and Ingham County have ordinances allowing for chickens on personal property, with differing restrictions such as permits, number allowed and distance between chickens and property line of adjoining residents.

“I didn’t realize we had a black market out there for eggs,” said council vice president Duane Haskins during the legislative committee meeting. He later stated he would not have a problem with the possibility, but would like to do a little more research into the matter before making a final decision.

Committee member Danny Wells said he would approve on the chance for residents “to grow their own food,” and he likened chickens and eggs to residents growing a garden in their backyards for food purposes.

“We’re going to get some complaints. There’s no doubt about it,” he said of possible issues with neighbors. “But, they will be few and far between.”

Zelenko said she’s heard Flint is also considering allowing backyard chickens in the city limits. Councilman Tom Martinbianco said he’d be OK with chickens, with restrictions.

“Personally, I really don’t care. Chickens don’t bother me.” he said. “Colonel Sanders is one of my best friends.”

Martinbianco did trade back and forth with Zelenko about the enforcement of the ordinance and how widespread the allowance of other animals would become if chickens were allowed in the city.

Zelenko said chickens are not ruminant animals, like cattle or goats which give off an excess of methane gas. She said literature she’s read compares the scat of four chickens equals to that of one medium-sized dog. She also noted the distance of a hen generally carries 25 feet, much less than a rooster and chickens don’t need excessive grazing areas like goats.

Haskins commented requiring a permit would “be a key thing” in enforcing an ordinance, as did Councilwoman Ellen Ellenburg. They said a permit would allow the city to keep track of how many chickens each resident was able to keep at their home. Haskins added he’s heard if too many chickens are kept it can cause an ammonia odor.

“I’m not a chicken farmer, so this is a new avenue,” said Haskins.

Zelenko said if action was taken it should come soon, as baby chickens begin going on sale soon for the upcoming season. The idea will go back to the legislative committee for discussion on Feb. 15, prior to the regularly scheduled city