I am starting this petition on behalf of Dickinson, North Dakota residents and Bring Backyard Chickens to Dickinson group members that live within city limits of which are governed by city zoning laws that currently prohibit urban residents from keeping backyard fowl, specifically chickens. 

Even though we are a rural community surrounded by thousands of acres of agricultural farm land. The city leaders of past and present have found it justifiable to not allow city residents to engage in small flock, backyard chicken keeping and animal production. This has been done simply out of fear of encountering issues that are preventable under clear guidelines and lack of public education surrounding urban chicken keeping.

As the ordinance currently stands (Section 5.12.040), " A person may not keep or raise domestic fowl, livestock or non-traditional livestock, within the City of Dickinson except as permitted in property which is zoned as Residential Agricultural - "RA" or Rural Residential - "RR", as defined by zoning ordinances." This current ordinance prevents 98% of the Dickinson population from engaging in regulated, small-scale food production as only 2% of Dickinson residents are considered "Rural", according to recent Census data.

In its current state, the ordinance is heavily favored against city residents and is significantly preventing the majority of Dickinson residents from partaking in an activity that has the potential to be very beneficial. We are demanding that Dickinson law makers amend the current ordinance to allow backyard chicken keeping in city limits.  

We invite you to sign this petition if you believe this outdated law needs to be changed and that we should be allowed to keep an approved number of hens in a responsible, sanitary and safe manner in our own backyards. Below is information that will educate us about backyard chicken keeping, as well as separate fact from fiction:

• Animal Welfare: Home-raised hens living in spacious, clean conditions produce eggs that are fresher, better tasting and often more nutritious than their commercially-farmed counterparts. Raising chickens also supports the humane treatment of food-producing animals within our own local, sustainable food system.

• Chickens are Clean: Let's debunk the myth that chickens are inherently dirty and smelly! Chickens spend their days dust bathing and meticulously preening themselves to maintain good hygiene. Chickens do not smell - animal waste smells. When managed properly, no odors emanate from a yard in which a few chickens are kept. ANY kept, neglected animals, whether they are livestock or domestic animals can and will lead to filth when not receiving proper care.

• Chickens are Pets, too: They can provide companionship, entertainment, stress reduction, and comic relief. They are not livestock that are immediately destined for the soup pot when they are injured or stop laying eggs. They become part of the family. 

• Chickens are Green: They eat a wide variety of weeds and disease-carrying insects, like ticks and mosquitos. Chickens produce nitrogen-rich waste that can be used as a natural garden or lawn fertilizer.

• Roosters are Noisy, not Hens: Hens are not ordinarily noisy and intermittent daytime noises are a normal part of living in any community. In fact, the loudest hens get is registered at about 60 decibels. Any concerns about chicken noises should be addressed in the same manner other noise complaints are addressed, including incessant barking dog noise.

98% of Dickinson city residents deserve to be allowed the opportunity to engage in and control their own food production. Using other cities as successful examples, we believe education on backyard chickens should be encouraged and sensible, well-thought out policies drafted in place of the current ordinance. These changes would allow residents to responsibly keep backyard chickens and contribute meaningfully to their family's food system.

Thank you for signing our petition!