Morton Grovers Differ On Allowing Backyard Chickens

In the latest discussion over agriculture in the suburbs, a Morton Grove resident spoke out against letting residents of the village have chickens in their backyards, according to the Morton Grove Champion. 

Earlier: Chickens in Morton Grove Backyards? Idea Could Fly

The resident told the village's Environmental Health Committee, which is drafting an ordinance in case the village board decide to hear the issue, that chickens might be noisy, the newspaper said. Other residents worried chicken food and feces could attract rodents and/or coyotes.

Resident Mike Yousef proposed the idea of keeping chickens in backyard coops when he took the microphone during the public comment period of a June village board meeting. He said many nearby suburbs allow backyard coops, and support for the idea is growing. Owners would have to apply to the village for permits, keep the birds in warm, dry coops and comply with the village's conditions, such as for cleanliness, he said.

Many suburbs, such as Evanston and Wilmette, have ordinances which govern the keeping of backyard chickens.

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