The Town ordinance should be changed to allow a small number of backyard hens for the following reasons: -- Chickens produce a rich fertilizer by-product, high in nitrogen, eliminating the need for petrochemical fertilizers. -- Chickens eat bugs, including ticks, reducing our backyard pest population, and allowing for reduced use of pesticides. -- Backyard hens provide an educational opportunity to teach children where our food comes from and demonstrate responsible pet ownership. -- Fresh, naturally raised eggs have an improved nutrient profile compared to conventional eggs. -- Chickens eat table scraps, reducing municipal solid waste. -- A properly cleaned and maintained chicken coop poses no sanitation risks. By amending the Town ordinance to allow residents to keep hens in residential zones, the residents of Chickahominy Haven will encourage stewardship of the environment and food production on a household scale