Backyard hens are currently not allowed on typical city lots in Mishawaka, Indiana.  We would like to make backyard hens legally accessible to Mishawaka residents.  Backyard Hens are an excellent educational tool for children, teaching them responsibility in care for animals.  Backyard hens can give children a hands on understanding of where food comes from.  Research has shown that fresh eggs have significantly more nutritional value than eggs bought from a store - which can often be weeks or months old by the time they are bought in the store.  Backyard hens offer another source of food independence especially if paired with a vegetable garden.  Backyard hens offer natural production of excellent garden fertilizer which can be composted or directly added to gardens.  The production of eggs not only serves your family but often is an excellent community builder as many hen owners typically share the eggs with neighbors. Please sign this petition in support of an ordinance change to allow backyard hens in Mishawaka.