According to the Westfield News, residents in Westfield, MA can now keep chickens provided they acquire a special permit through the Planning Board. Residents with at least 3/4 of an acre will be allowed to keep up to 6 hens and those with less will be allowed only 3 (no roosters). The permit process will include a hearing where abutters will be allowed to voice any concerns. The process also requires a coop design with at least 3 square feet per bird and a pen with at least 10 square feet per bird. There also has to be a plan for how to deal with odor and insects. The birds need to be kept 50 feet from property lines.
This is funny- obviously these people don't own chickens and don't know anyone who does (at least responsibly). First of all, I do not get to have a say about my neighbors' annoying dogs who are left outside to constantly bark (which is more annoying than any noise a hen or rooster would make). So, it is funny that neighbors should be able to weigh in on whether someone should have a few hens. On top of that, no one is going to walk their chickens to go to the bathroom in a neighbor's yard (yet another plus). Second, the coop plans are silly. If someone had a compact, mobile design (as is popular/trendy), it would not fit the city's requirements. This is a shame because it would be healthier for the chickens and the yard they are kept in (provided they are actually moved on a daily basis). Moving allows the chickens to have fresh grass and keeps them from developing a dusty, dirt-packed yard. They would provide a natural fertilizer (hopefully cutting down on the chemicals people put on their grass which then washes into our water supply); not to mention, this would keep the insects and odor problem under control because there would be no build up of manure in one concentrated spot (thereby making it a non-issue). The requirements follow old-school farming practices which are not in the best interest of the animals or people.
These people need to learn more about how to keep chickens successfully in your backyard before they pass such backward rules! This poor design sets up would-be chicken owners to fail or work way harder than they need to. Perhaps this is a step in the right direction, but certainly not a win for the city of Westfield.
This is funny- obviously these people don't own chickens and don't know anyone who does (at least responsibly). First of all, I do not get to have a say about my neighbors' annoying dogs who are left outside to constantly bark (which is more annoying than any noise a hen or rooster would make). So, it is funny that neighbors should be able to weigh in on whether someone should have a few hens. On top of that, no one is going to walk their chickens to go to the bathroom in a neighbor's yard (yet another plus). Second, the coop plans are silly. If someone had a compact, mobile design (as is popular/trendy), it would not fit the city's requirements. This is a shame because it would be healthier for the chickens and the yard they are kept in (provided they are actually moved on a daily basis). Moving allows the chickens to have fresh grass and keeps them from developing a dusty, dirt-packed yard. They would provide a natural fertilizer (hopefully cutting down on the chemicals people put on their grass which then washes into our water supply); not to mention, this would keep the insects and odor problem under control because there would be no build up of manure in one concentrated spot (thereby making it a non-issue). The requirements follow old-school farming practices which are not in the best interest of the animals or people.
These people need to learn more about how to keep chickens successfully in your backyard before they pass such backward rules! This poor design sets up would-be chicken owners to fail or work way harder than they need to. Perhaps this is a step in the right direction, but certainly not a win for the city of Westfield.
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