by Sia NyorkorKWCH 12 Eyewitness News
9:41 p.m. CST, January 13, 2013
9:41 p.m. CST, January 13, 2013
(Park City, Kan.)—
When you think of animal ordinances, leash laws and barking dogs usually come to mind, not chickens.
But that's the case in one Kansas town.
His neighbors call him "Chicken Man."
Robert Schulte has 12 chickens, in his backyard.
He says he was surprised to hear about the complaints to the city council in Park City about chickens.
He doesn't know if his chickens are the problem.
"I mean it doesn't matter anyway, it's not like I'm harboring wild horses, lions and tigers and bears in the backyard," he says.
Schulte says he checked with the city before he bought his flock of chickens.
"Do I need to buy a permit? No. How many can I have? As long as you have adequate housing and they're clean and cared for and not have a lot of complaints," he says, listing the questions he asked at City Hall.
The previous ordinance says: "Frequent or habitual noise, shall mean barking, howling, yelping, crying, crowing or other noise made by an animal for a total of at least 15 minutes... of the property line..."
A new ordinance was approved December 26th after the complaints. It allows residents to own up to five hens and no roosters.
Now Schulte worries he'll have to let some of his chickens go.
"If you had to let half of your chickens go, would you be okay with that?" ask Eyewitness News Reporter Sia Nyorkor.
"If I had to yes. I guess I would just migrate them around to other friends," says Schulte.
Schulte says he's heading to City hall monday morning to find out if he and his chickens are breaking the law.
Just this past year, the town of Rose Hill passed an ordinance allowing chickens within city limits. Roosters are not allowed because of the noise they make.
Wichita allows chickens as well but a special permit is required.
Sure hope he gets to keep his Chickens.....
