The Issue

To the North Branch Village council, 

We the undersigned residents and supporters of North Branch Village, MI, respectfully request an amendment to local zoning laws to allow residents to keep a reasonable amount of backyard hens. Many other townships and villages have successfully implemented similar policies, benefiting their communities in numerous ways. 

Why this matters

Improved Food Security- Access to fresh, nutritious eggs reduces dependence on commercial supply chains and enhances local resilience, especially in times of economic uncertainty. 

Sustainability & Waste Reduction- Backyard hens reduce food waste by consuming table scraps and provide natural fertilizer for gardens, promoting environmentally friendly practices.

Educational & Community Benefits- Raising hens offer families hands on education about food production and responsible animal care. 

Minimal Impact & Proven Success- Studies and experiences from other communities show that well-managed backyard flocks produce minimal noise, odor and disruption when reasonable regulations are in place. 

Addressing Concerns

Noise- Hens are very quiet and a rooster ban can ensure noise control. 

Odor- Proper coop maintenance eliminates odor issues. 

Health & Safety- Backyard hens pose no greater health risk than other pets when kept under simple sanitation guidelines. 

Predators- As nobody wants more predators in the village we would take the necessary precautions to have all hens in a safe, predator proof coop at all times. 

We believe that reasonable, well-regulated backyard hen policies can benefit the North Branch community without causing disruption. We urge the village officials to review successful models from other municipalities and work with the residents to draft fair regulations that support local sustainability and food security. 

Please sign and share this petition to show your support for backyard hens in North Branch Village.