It came to my attention recently that it is not legal to own chickens within the city limits of Lexington.
The last year I have been on a quest to help heal my children's food allergies and medical conditions through diet. Both of my children are immunocompromised and we have only gotten to where we are after much trial and error. This journey led me to a style of eating that promotes pasture raised eggs. The last couple of months I have seen drastic improvements in all of our health as we have implemented this life style.
I have loved supporting our local egg producers but have always desired to also have my own chickens and to promote self sufficiency within your personal food system.
This led me to researching having our own chickens, in town.

When I called City Hall, and asked why chickens were not allowed, the response was that chickens would lead to people wanting other farm animals in town and that people were concerned about noise/smell etc of chickens.

I have been on a research campaign and most documentation points to what I already believed: With proper guidelines in place on amount of chickens, housing, and other rules, having chickens causes little to no disturbance to others. And in most cases even LESS than having, say, a very aggressive or loud barking dog.
I have even experienced indoor/outdoor neighbors cats digging in my garden beds and killing garden plants. Therefore I find that there is undue prejudice against chickens, based on lack of information.

So I am out to change that. Here are the rules I propose for chickens in town:

*Must be contained (in a permanent chicken coop, or in a mobile chicken tractor/run)
*Maximum of 5 chickens can be kept
*No Roosters Allowed
*All regular animal stewardship must be met (care of animals, having shelter in adverse weather, fed and watered properly)
*Chickens (and housing) must be at least 3 feet from property line