Hi,
I am new to the forum but have kept 2-7 bantam hens for about 5 years up until February when we received a code violation notice from the city. Long story short, we've been trying to get the ordinance changed and the City Council has had a new ordinance written up which would allow 6 hens by permit. This ordinance went before the Planning commission this week and they did not recommend that the Council pass it. This recommendation is not binding so we still have some hope when the City Council brings it up for discussion. Here's where I need help: Their main concern was that allowing chickens would overwhelm our understaffed animal control/code enforcement division and would be costly in terms of the increased number of chickens detained and needing to be kept in the county animal shelter. They seem to think that the number of chickens being kept in the city would increase exponentially (animal control estimates 8X) and that, therefore, the number of calls about chickens that they would have to go to would also increase by that amount.
I am looking for data from cities that have changed their ordinances to allow chickens. Have the number of "fowl incidents" increased? How much has it cost the city in terms of animal control? If you have any of these numbers or can help guide me to where I can find them, please let me know.
We miss our girls and hope to be able to get them back soon.
Thanks,
Ami
I am new to the forum but have kept 2-7 bantam hens for about 5 years up until February when we received a code violation notice from the city. Long story short, we've been trying to get the ordinance changed and the City Council has had a new ordinance written up which would allow 6 hens by permit. This ordinance went before the Planning commission this week and they did not recommend that the Council pass it. This recommendation is not binding so we still have some hope when the City Council brings it up for discussion. Here's where I need help: Their main concern was that allowing chickens would overwhelm our understaffed animal control/code enforcement division and would be costly in terms of the increased number of chickens detained and needing to be kept in the county animal shelter. They seem to think that the number of chickens being kept in the city would increase exponentially (animal control estimates 8X) and that, therefore, the number of calls about chickens that they would have to go to would also increase by that amount.
I am looking for data from cities that have changed their ordinances to allow chickens. Have the number of "fowl incidents" increased? How much has it cost the city in terms of animal control? If you have any of these numbers or can help guide me to where I can find them, please let me know.
We miss our girls and hope to be able to get them back soon.
Thanks,
Ami