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
Updates
February 12, 2019
I honestly never expected this many people to care about backyard chickens but seeing the support grow makes me think we might actually change these outdated city rules soon. It is wild to think that a few coop sketches and my kids needing better eggs turned into this whole movement because now the city council is definitely going to have to listen to us.
13 Comments
I think it'd be a good learning tool for people, especially kids, not to mention providing food.
No one should be denied their right to raise and or grow their own food. It's a great learning experience that will build character for young kids from the responsibility that goes in to the rewards that will soon be.
i am behind this 100%. thank you for taking up this petition. we had chickens on multiple occasions and would LOVE to have them again. if i can be of any assistance please let me know
I want to have chickens in town! I love them and having them in my backyard will make my homelife 100000x easier!
I've had family members raise chickens in large (Indianapolis)and small towns (like Lexington) successfully. This can be great for feeding your family, teaching children responsibility, and being good stewards of our own personal property. Go for Chickens!!
Yes!!!
Who doesn't love fresh eggs
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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
Updates
February 12, 2019
I honestly never expected this many people to care about backyard chickens but seeing the support grow makes me think we might actually change these outdated city rules soon. It is wild to think that a few coop sketches and my kids needing better eggs turned into this whole movement because now the city council is definitely going to have to listen to us.
13 Comments
my kids would love to learn where our food comes from. city hall needs to get with the times and let us have a few hens in the backyard.
I think it'd be a good learning tool for people, especially kids, not to mention providing food.
No one should be denied their right to raise and or grow their own food. It's a great learning experience that will build character for young kids from the responsibility that goes in to the rewards that will soon be.
i am behind this 100%. thank you for taking up this petition. we had chickens on multiple occasions and would LOVE to have them again. if i can be of any assistance please let me know
I want to have chickens in town! I love them and having them in my backyard will make my homelife 100000x easier!
I've had family members raise chickens in large (Indianapolis)and small towns (like Lexington) successfully. This can be great for feeding your family, teaching children responsibility, and being good stewards of our own personal property. Go for Chickens!!
Yes!!!
Who doesn't love fresh eggs
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my kids would love to learn where our food comes from. city hall needs to get with the times and let us have a few hens in the backyard.