FowlBlog.com

Over the past few years we have occasionally featured stories of the countless cities across the United States which have underwent to process to legalize the practice of raising chickens and other fowl in urban backyards.

It is no secret that the popularity of backyard chickens is surging, as families and hobbyist reap the environmental and economic benefits of domesticated poultry.

One of the latest in this long line of communities seeking to officially condone this practice is Lafayette, Colorado.   Lafayette, a very green conscious and socially minded city near Boulder and Denver, brought the debate before the city Planning Commission this week.  Most likely, the Planning Commission will bring a recommendation before the City Council next month and a proposed amendment allowing backyard chickens will be enacted.

The package of rules and regulations proposed which the Lafayette Planning Commission are relatively common.  The group derived the regulations from the ordinances they saw as most appropriate in the nearby cities of Longmont, Fort Collins, and Boulder.

• Limit of 3 hens per household
• No roosters
• Birds must be sealed in a backyard chicken coop at night
• Birds must have an enclosed 100 sq. foot chicken run
• No slaughtering is allowed in backyards

One rule that many chicken owners may find a bit restrictive is the limit of 3 hens per household.  An average size family which regularly consumes eggs, would most likely still need to purchase eggs with only 3 laying hens.  This is especially true during the winter months, when hens do not lay as much, according to Melissa Held of nearby Longmont.

However, regulators feel the need to restrict the number of hens to deter backyard chicken owners from obtain too many eggs, and potentially selling them – a practice which could be a potential violation of regulations.

The popularity of urban poultry is continuing to rise, and currently does not show signs of slowing down.

Ducks are thrilled that they are now allowed in Huntington, NY

A few weeks ago we explained a legal battle where Huntington, NY duck owners Nina Tam and her daughter Ava Post were battling local regulations to allow them to keep their small, domestic flock of birds.  Like many duck owners across the country, they utilize their egg laying ducks to provide them with a safe and healthy alternative to chicken eggs.  Nina Tam has a food allergy to chicken eggs, and duck eggs have offered the perfect nutritional solution.

We are happy to report that this brave duo succeeded in going through the appropriate legislative channels to have their local regulations changed such that up to 8 ducks can now be owned in the town of Huntington, NY.  Through the use of social media such as a Facebook page and an online petition, Nina Tam and Ava Post were able to garner enough support to form a cohesive argument as to why their flock is not a nuisance, and should be allowed to remain.

This victory follows a rising trend of legalizing backyard poultry.

We at FowlBlog.com would like to congratulate Nina and Ava for opening the door for so many to enjoy this environmental and engaging hobby.

The Duck Amendment will be announced at a Town Hall Board meeting at 7pm on January 12th at 100 Main St. Huntington, NY.

Raising chickens and ducks in one’s backyard is a practice that is undergoing explosive growth in the United States.  Countless people find it to be an engaging hobby, an environmentally healthy pursuit, and a tremendous joy.

Ducks aren't just for the farm. They make great pets and wonderful friends.

This has been dubbed the Backyard Poultry Movement, and it is occasionally at odds with city ordinances and municipal codes.  Officials cite health, odor, and noise concerns.  However, while it may not be feasible to raise fowl on a large scale within city limits, it is certainly possible to keep a small flock for personal purposes, even when in close proximity to neighbors.

There is a trend of legalization of backyard poultry in cities where it was once banned.  Examples of cities where the citizens have successfully overturned ordinances prohibiting backyard poultry include Fort Collins, CO, Madison, WI, and Ann Arbor, MI.  However, this is usually only after a small skirmish between proponents and opponents of the Backyard Poultry Movement.

Such a skirmish is currently taking place in Long Island, NY, where Huntington Station resident Nina Tam and her daughter Ava Post are fighting to keep their ducks on their urban property.  Nina Tam suffers from allergies to chicken eggs, and thus duck eggs serve as a wonderful, healthy alternative.  The family is raising a small number of birds both as pets and for egg production, and they’ve found them to be a tremendous joy.

Here are Nina and Ava's backyard ducks. They appear to have a Pekin, two Black Runners, and a Fawn & White Runner.

Furthermore, the ducks are very quiet and do not disturbed the neighbors.  They are totally fenced in, and do not create a public nuisance.  They even serve as an exciting treat for area children who come observe these entertaining birds.

However, one neighbor has complained and thus the city has sprung into action to have the ducks removed from their property.  There is currently a hearing scheduled for November 5th to move closer to resolving the issue.  Nina Tam and Ava Post have garnered hundreds of signatures on petitions to encourage their city to follow the increasing trend of legalizing backyard poultry.  Also, their story has evoked an outpouring of support from poultry enthusiasts and sympathizers in the form of Tweets and Facebook messages.

Check out the social media efforts related to this story -

• Facebook Group – Help Me Save My Ducks
• Petition to Legalize Backyard Poultry in Huntington Station, NY