Hens in Billings, MT

[TJinMT]

Hi there -

We're starting an initiative in Billings, Montana to allow urban chickens. If anyone else from this area is interested, please let us know. So far we have been told that while chickens are NOT allowed in city limits, the code is not enforced unless there is a neighbor complaint due to noise, smell, or vendetta

. However, rather than just ignoring the law, we feel that it should be changed. The code enforcement agent himself actually suggested we proceed with getting the law changed.

The two city councilmen I emailed regarding this issue are both ignoring me. But there's more than one way to pluck a hen! So come on Billings... let's get your hen on!!

 

[jason_mazzy]

So odd that it would be unlawful in MT.....I used to live in clark WY which was just a short drive on over to billings.

 

[TJinMT]

Yeah, that's kinda what I thought. Many other cities in Montana allow them, but our old poultry-as-livestock ordinance has been on the books for a long time, apparently. They were legal in Clark?

Billings has more wild critters than you'd think - including black bears, badgers, tons of deer, etc... but no chickens!! That's definitely a law that needs to go by the wayside. I never figured I'd consider myself anything other than a carnivore, but the whole locavore term has good connotations!!

 

[jason_mazzy]

Yeah in Clark we had everything ducks geese chickens cows.

 

[k8miyagi]

I'll be moving to Billings in a few months and am definitely interested in having backyard chickens! I just found this forum by searching for info about any laws regarding chickens in Billings. I'm moving from the east coast where it is definitely not legal... and was hoping things would be different in MT. Sad to hear that it's not technically legal. I don't know how much I can do before I move there, but I'll be following this issue!

 

[TJinMT]

Sounds good! Stay in touch; we'll get going with a "task force" of sorts and start obtaining petition signatures etc. The councilmen are ignoring me at this point, but, we can work around them!

Thanks!!

TJ

 

[TJinMT]

Hi again!

I set up a blogsite and we're working on adding task force members now. The blogsite is billingsbackyardhens.wordpress.com - please feel free to join and participate! Exciting to be gaining some momentum...

~TJ

 

[knancy]

Watched an episode on Food Channel and thought I might want to raise 3 hens in my backyard. I have to put up with wild ducks which are protected from any action on my part to control them. Can't imagine that domestic chicken under my care and control could be more of a nuisance than the ducks. I'm in favor of changing the city ordinance, especially as we become more aware that we should eat wholesome, locally grown foods, not mention the issue of the rising cost of feeding a family.

 

[TJinMT]

Update - the councilmen are responding, the city Zoning commission is responding, things are happening! More and more people are joining the group. We're trying to get the word out in both educating people how to raise backyard hens, as well as letting them know that, in fact, it is against ordinance here... and we're all voting citizens, this is something that can be, hopefully, changed!

 

[Quinian]

I'm down. On the way to the link you posted now.

I'm in lockwood so I'm not in a ward but I still think they need to boot that rule city wide