Cities across America are adopting more lenient laws regarding backyard chickens (hens),realizing that old laws regarding “farm animals” while well meaning, are outdated and never should have applied to a few family birds. After all, dogs are noisy, messy, smelly and a more threatening presence. Chickens eat the invasive Japanese Beetles. They are an affordable source of healthy organic fresh food for family and neighbors. Owners of chickens purchase significantly at the local hardware stores and teach something valuable to children. One large dog produces more poop than ten chickens. Chicken poop is terrific gardening compost! There was a time when all households could have a few harmless naturally raised chickens in the backyard without being harassed. Right here in Crystal Lake. The City of Chicago, Evanston IL, Elgin IL, New York City NY, San Francisco CA, Los Angeles CA, Miami FL, Asheville NC, Ann Arbor MI, Madison WI, Osh Kosh WI…are some of the (to name but a few) many hundreds of cities to recently change their ordinances to allow a few backyard chickens. Many of these cities and towns have found the decision to be a good one both economically and practically. It helps locally and reduces consumption nationally. Please sign our petition below asking Crystal Lake City Council to change the outdated ordinance disallowing small numbers of hens for families here. It’s a healthy, organic, self-sufficient and intelligent decision.