For nearly two years, our family has dedicated ourselves to the respectful and responsible raising of backyard hens on our property in Millville. As a homeschooling mom, I have cherished this opportunity to teach my children about responsibility, compassion, and sustainability by raising 11 hens from hatchlings. Our chickens have become an essential part of our family life, creating bonds and a deeper understanding of nature.

However, our city now demands that we remove all of our hens without any room for compromise or compassion. This decision is not only heartbreaking for us but poses an unnecessary strain on families like ours who wish to engage in such an enriching activity. It's hard to understand why a well-managed, educational, and environmentally sustainable practice is being so readily dismissed.

In maintaining our hens, we have taken every precaution to ensure their impact on our community is minimal. Our hens are housed in a predator wire-protected run; they are not free-range, and there is no rooster. We store food in metal cans to prevent rodents, and the feed is dispensed only when the hens peck, ensuring safety and cleanliness. Additionally, we have installed a comprehensive winter system that includes heated sleeping conditions and water that will not freeze, further demonstrating our commitment to responsible animal husbandry.

Our family's property is just under half an acre, offering ample space for our chickens to thrive without disturbing neighbors. Allowing families to keep backyard hens with  a system is a  sustainable compromise. By setting basic standards, we can enable families to continue benefiting from the joy and learning backyard hens bring without impacting the broader community negatively.

We urge the Millville City Commission to consider implementing a system that allows families to responsibly and legally keep backyard hens. Such a system can include reasonable requirements similar to those we've voluntarily adopted, ensuring the practice is sustainable and community-friendly.

Please join us in urging the Millville City Commission to enact a policy that acknowledges the benefits and feasibility of backyard hens by signing this petition. Let's work together to create a solution that supports community values and family learning experiences while ensuring everyone's peace and comfort. Sign now to support backyard hen permits in Millville.