Hello there, I would love to get some backyard hens but there is an ordinance against it in our small town. Have you had an experience in getting these ordinances changed? I'm more than willing to work on getting the law changed, but I have no idea where to start or what information would prove helpful in persuading our local government. Any ideas?
Thanks for your time.
Sincerely,
Linda
Well Linda,
I wish I had an answer for you, but I don't. I thought that maybe there is someone else out there that may know where to start. So, to all those trusty backyard farming readers....do you have any suggestions? If so leave a comment!
Comments below are from Dale:
Linda,
Here are five suggestions.
1. Try to identify other people in the community who want to change the law. Check with your county Extension Agent because they sometimes know the people interested in poultry. There is strength in numbers. Your County Agent may also be a useful resource to help you in this process.
2. Do your research on the Mayor and town council. Go to the town council meetings. Try to figure out which one might be open to the idea of changing the ordinance and would advocate for you.
3. Collect information for making your case. Show a list of other towns and cities who have changed their ordinances. Get a copy of their ordinances that your town could replicate. Also have several articles that show that hens are not noisy, do not stink, and do not attract flies. Make sure that people understand that roosters will not be allowed. They are too noisy and agressive.
4. Talk to your neighbors about this and win them to your cause. If they are against you, you are doomed.
5. Remember that you are doing this for the good of your community and for everyone else who wants to raise poultry. If you are just doing it for yourself, you may give up because it may be a diffficult process.
Good luck on your quest. It is worth all your effort. Let us know how it turns out.
Linda
Well Linda,
I wish I had an answer for you, but I don't. I thought that maybe there is someone else out there that may know where to start. So, to all those trusty backyard farming readers....do you have any suggestions? If so leave a comment!
Comments below are from Dale:
Linda,
Here are five suggestions.
1. Try to identify other people in the community who want to change the law. Check with your county Extension Agent because they sometimes know the people interested in poultry. There is strength in numbers. Your County Agent may also be a useful resource to help you in this process.
2. Do your research on the Mayor and town council. Go to the town council meetings. Try to figure out which one might be open to the idea of changing the ordinance and would advocate for you.
3. Collect information for making your case. Show a list of other towns and cities who have changed their ordinances. Get a copy of their ordinances that your town could replicate. Also have several articles that show that hens are not noisy, do not stink, and do not attract flies. Make sure that people understand that roosters will not be allowed. They are too noisy and agressive.
4. Talk to your neighbors about this and win them to your cause. If they are against you, you are doomed.
5. Remember that you are doing this for the good of your community and for everyone else who wants to raise poultry. If you are just doing it for yourself, you may give up because it may be a diffficult process.
Good luck on your quest. It is worth all your effort. Let us know how it turns out.
Linda,
ReplyDeleteHere are five suggestions.
1. Try to identify other people in the community who want to change the law. Check with your county Extension Agent because they sometimes know the people interested in poultry. There is strength in numbers. Your County Agent may also be a useful resource to help you in this process.
2. Do your research on the Mayor and town council. Go to the town council meetings. Try to figure out which one might be open to the idea of changing the ordinance and would advocate for you.
3. Collect information for making your case. Show a list of other towns and cities who have changed their ordinances. Get a copy of their ordinances that your town could replicate. Also have several articles that show that hens are not noisy, do not stink, and do not attract flies. Make sure that people understand that roosters will not be allowed. They are too noisy and agressive.
4. Talk to your neighbors about this and win them to your cause. If they are against you, you are doomed.
5. Remember that you are doing this for the good of your community and for everyone else who wants to raise poultry. If you are just doing it for yourself, you may give up because it may be a diffficult process.
Good luck on your quest. It is worth all your effort. Let us know how it turns out.
Here is the link on Backyardchickens forum about changing city ordinances and how to go about it.
ReplyDeleteLots of good information.
http://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewforum.php?id=37
- Stephen
A family in South Portland, Maine succeeded in getting the ordinances changed to allow chickens inside the city limits.
ReplyDeleteHere's the link to what they did: http://www.sailzora.com/chickens.htm
Good luck!
Get in contact with Andy Schneider...aka the Chicken Whisperer. He has a radio show on www.blogtalkradio.com/backyardpoultry. He is also on facebook, just search for the Chicken Whisperer. He can help you with all of this. He is currently helping several people fight the ordinances and is also the chicken rep for Purina Mills pet food.
ReplyDeleteJamie