Poll: Should Communities Allow Backyard Hens?

Several Chicago suburbs have grappled with requests from residents who want to have egg laying, backyard hens.

Palatine's Zoning Board of Appeals recently recommended allowing a couple to raise backyard egg laying hens. Palatine is only the latest Chicago suburb to grapple with such a request. In April, Northbrook's village board shot down a request citing aesthetics and safety concerns. Specifically, the idea that backyard hens might attract predators such as coyotes. Crystal Lake rejected such a proposal in 2011 and Arlington Heights voted no in 2012. Several suburbs do allow backyard chickens including Evanston, Oak Park, St. Charles and Naperville. Advocates say that backyard hens are a great way to produce fresh, healthy eggs and that there are many misconceptions about the practice. Such proposals also usually include specificiations for …

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KBarber

6:19 pm on Sunday, May 19, 2013

I would LOVE to own a sheep! I could get rid of the noise polluting lawn mower and have all the wool I would ever need. I had often fantasized about just getting one and calling it a sheep "dog" that just didn't bark at 6am. Toying with the idea of chickens for the fresh eggs and steady supply of fertilizer for the garden. I say, as with anything I or my neighbors do, if it doesn't bother anyone …   more ›