By Doug Wood

Last week, I hatched, err, proposed an ordinance amendment to allow Monona residents to keep up to five chickens (no roosters) under appropriate conditions in single-family and two-family residence zoning districts. The city council will begin pecking away at the idea at its February 2nd meeting. Aside from possibly ruffling a few feathers and being a great source of puns (and I love a corny pun as much anyone), why propose such a thing?

The short answer is that a number of Monona residents have expressed an interest in keeping their own chickens. After looking into it, I became convinced that chickens can be kept in small numbers in an urban setting without interfering with the neighbors’ use and enjoyment of their property.

Many other communities have ordinances allowing the raising of chickens in urban areas. The draft ordinance contains ‘best practices’ as identified in my review of ordinances in Rogers, Arkansas; Madison, Wisconsin; Missoula, Montana; Portland, Oregon; Fort Collins, Colorado; and a draft proposal in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In taking the time to put together the best from these resources, I’ve created a draft ordinance that Thomas Kriese, an urban chicken keeper who writes online about chicken keeping and ordinances, called “a great template for others to use.”

A nationwide study summarizes the value of and desire for backyard chicken-keeping as follows:

“First, the local food movement itself has become very popular which has sparked a new interest for many in backyard food production. Since chickens are one of the smaller protein producers, they fit well into a backyard food production model. Second, rising energy and transportation costs have caused concern over increases in food costs, and backyard eggs offer a cheaper solution as they do not have to travel far to reach the plate. Lastly, many citizens are becoming increasingly concerned about food safety, and with meat recalls and other animal industry issues in the news, backyard chickens offer many a safer solution.”

The interests of non-chicken keepers are recognized and respected. The draft ordinance requires chickens to be in hen houses or fenced enclosures at all times and requires the owners to keep the chickens’ living quarters clean.

In summary, the proposed amendment:

• Allows chicken keeping as a permitted use in single-family and two-family zoning districts.
• Allows up to five domestic fowl allowed per household in a single-family or two-family district.
• Prohibits roosters.
• Prohibits slaughtering outdoors on the residential premises.
• Requires that poultry shall be kept within a secure and clean hen house or enclosure at all times and not allowed to run free.
• Requires that the hen houses and enclosures shall be located no closer than 20′ from nearest neighbor’s residence.
• A $10 permit is required (per household), to be renewed annually.

By Penny DePaola

As a former ten-year resident of Monona and a “keeper of chickens,” I whole-heartedly support raising chickens in Monona and can speak to the benefits chickens can bring to a household.

Added to the sustainability, energy and cost savings, and health benefits of raising chickens, there are advantages most people don’t discover until they actually own chickens.

Chickens can quickly attain pet status, complete with names that reflect their entertaining antics and unique personalities. It is enjoyable to watch a group of chickens scratch the earth, uncovering bugs, weed seedlings, and earth worms and then calling their friends to join in the discovery. Soft clucking sounds and short-lived cackles announce the arrival of an egg – “music to the ears” of this chicken enthusiast.

Chicken care isn’t so different from other pet care. Food, water, and shelter need to be provided. Much easier to clean up than most dog waste, chicken waste makes good fertilizer for the vegetable or flower garden. Winter care is more challenging. Chickens need dry, draft-free lodging in which to spend the cold days and nights. Providing them with such is easily achieved with thoughtful planning and some construction skills.

There are ethical reasons for raising urban chickens, too. As I raise a few chickens for eggs, I am doing so in a much more humane way than the factory “farmer.” Chickens have a far better existence in my backyard than those chickens crammed into barren battery cages with a floor area the size of a laptop computer. A longer life span is more likely as well. Chickens can live to ten years of age or more, but this is never achieved by the factory farm-raised chicken, which rarely lives past its first birthday.

I don’t mean to paint an idyllic portrait of backyard chickens. Challenges can arise, but they can be overcome.

In a late February column, I will delve into the “hows” of raising urban chickens and offer firsthand knowledge of my experiences. With or without the poultry puns, I hope the inevitable discussion of the proposed ordinance leads to its adoption. From my first hand experience, chickens and the city of Monona will be a good fit.