Goal: Our goal is to show O'Fallon City Council there is a significant interest and community support for backyard chickens in single family zoned areas. 

Backyard chickens are as loved and prized as any other family pet. Hens, unlike roosters, are friendly, entertaining, and quiet. Hens are also part of some citizens wish to live a greener and more patriotic lifestyle. They readily eat table scraps (keeping them from ending up in landfills), are a natural insect control for lawns (chemical free solution), produce fertilizer for use in home gardens (victory gardens are making a huge comeback), are incredible companions (we’ve all been isolated for far too long), and also provide eggs for the family (a major blessing during historic inflation rates). 

We all want to do the best we can for our families when we can. This is an opportunity we should not be denied, especially right now. 

Current status: Currently, chickens are allowed across the city, but only in locations the city has identified as agricultural and rural residential. These locations are mixed in with single family residential locations. Additionally, Chapter 90.01 (4) of the city ordinance lists poultry as a domestic animal and Chapter 90.07 does not list poultry or chickens as animals restricted to agricultural and rural residential districts. Therefore, the only impedance to keeping backyard chickens is Chapter 94.01 (M), which lists chickens as a nuisance animal, in direct conflict with Chapters 90.01 (4) and 90.07. As a result, only a select few families are able to fully enjoy the benefits of backyard chickens. This is a disadvantage to those that cannot and is contrary to developing a stable and dynamic family-focused community.

Background: Across the country, urban and suburban areas are allowing small backyard flocks of hens. Major cities allowing hens include New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, and Baltimore. Closer to home, St. Louis, Shiloh, Fairview Heights, Swansea, Collinsville, Alton, Edwardsville, Glen Carbon, Madison County, and Marissa have joined many towns that allow backyard chickens. 

As we continue to experience isolation, inflation, supply chain issues, increasing taxes, having backyard chickens can provide companionship and stress relief as well as a stable and reliable food source. In fact, the Unites States Department of Agriculture considers backyard chickens "in time of peace, a profitable recreation; in time of war, a patriotic duty". On 3 March 2022, O'Fallon Mayor Roach stated, "We also recognize some of our residents might need a helping hand on some basic needs." This is a common sense and immediate option to provide such relief.

Proposed update to city ordinance: In addition to removing chickens from the list of nuisance animals, the following is a proposed set of guidelines for safe and healthy keeping of backyard chickens. 

• Minimum requirements for shelter based upon the UNH Cooperative Extension as follows: 3-4 square feet per bird, not to exceed 6 hens in order to fall under the guidelines of "small flock".
• No roosters shall be allowed due to proximity to neighbors and noise level in populated areas. This is to avoid public nuisance.
• Hens are to be confined to the property's backyard, and housed in a shelter protected from wildlife. 
• Pens, runs, and yard are to be kept clean so there is no perceptible odor at property lines.
• Feed for hens must be stored in an impermeable container to avoid attracting pests and natural predators of the hen.

These guidelines will ensure backyard chickens are no more of a "nuisance" than barking dogs, feral cats, or the variety of farm and domestic animals located in and around O'Fallon. 

Resources:

• UNH-Cooperative Extension (https://extension.unh.edu/
• Start Off Homesteading (http://startoffhomesteading.com
• Back Yard Chickens (www.backyardchickens.com
• Chickens & You (https://www.chickensandyou.com