Yes It Is, It’s True: The chickens are coming home to roost

The City of Wayland seems to be the latest municipality poised to be chicken friendly, with local officials drawing up a proposed ordinance for consideration. The way things are looking, it appears passage is a good bet. The move follows Dorr Township earlier this year, and some have reported that virtually all townships, villages and cities in Allegan County and West Michigan now allow the practice of keeping chickens.

It wasn’t so long ago that the only places the birds were welcome was agricultural or rural areas. But now it appears our fine feathered friends are finding their way into our neighborhoods and providing owners and friends with farm fresh eggs.

The rap against chickens in days gone by was the foul odor that accompanied their presence, and sometimes they might get loose and wreak havoc with traffic and disturb peaceful neighborhoods. Experiences since then and a continued ban on roosters have shown otherwise, and dare I say, the concept of regulations has made the keeping of chickens tolerable for many neighbors.

Though regulations so often these days are about as welcome to free market advocates as a band of mosquitoes at a picnic, they have helped make chickens possible for urban agriculture enthusiasts and palatable for neighbors.

I do have a confession to make here. I spent more than a few years walking around town and noticed one home’s back yard had chickens within the city limits. They sometimes quietly wandered to the driveway, but most of the time were relegated to their pens. You couldn’t tell they were on site unless you looked for them and noticed movement.

I refused to report the household for being violation of the city ordinance. The reason was simple. If the neighbors didn’t care to complain, why should I? If the chickens were kept at bay and bothered no one, I would lend my support in practicing statutory neglect.

So I welcome the trend of urban and pseudo-urban people keeping chickens as long as they don’t infringe on the rights of others, unlike those who shoot off noisy and obnoxious fireworks.

PHOTO: Robby Young, a 2003 Wayland High School graduate, has just this week welcomed chickens into his back yard in Colorado Springs, a city with a population about as large as Grand Rapids.