RIPR News
(2010-07-13)
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GRAND RAPIDS, MI
(Michigan Radio) -
A public hearing over backyard chickens brought out a standing-room only crowd in Grand Rapids last night.
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Grand Rapids mayor George Heartwell called it the most interesting public hearing he's sat through in 15 years serving the city.
One reason: resident after resident stepped up to the podium and freely admitted to breaking the law when it comes to chickens.
Rick Beerhorst was one of them.
"We've been keeping chickens illegally, and I apologize for that, in our backyard for three years now," he said.
"Sounds like maybe you're not alone," the mayor responded, with a laugh.
Backyard chicken farming has been a growing trend for those interested in local food. A number of Michigan cities have looked at changing laws to accommodate the trend.
But some who spoke in Grand Rapids last night also warned about the risk of disease and nuisance if the chickens aren't well cared for.
The proposed ordinance in Grand Rapids would allow residents to keep up to five hens in their yard. Ann Arbor approved a similar ordinance in 2008.
Contact Dustin Dwyer at dtdwyer@umich.edu.
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