Backyard Chickens For Edinburg
The Issue
To Whom It May Concern
As a citizen of the city of Edinburg, we would like to change Edinburg City ordinance Code 91.05, to allow the keeping of six or less backyard chickens (hens) within city limit. In addition, we would like the minimum distance of proximity of fowl enclosures reduced from 300 ft to 30 feet of an residential building excluding the homeowner. This city ordinance severely limits the rights of a homeowner to raise organic, self-grown food which has become a trend around the country due to the use of dangerous chemicals and pesticides in the food supply. This ordinance is outdated as other major cities such as McAllen, Pharr, Austin, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and many other cities have changed city ordinances to allow residents to raise backyard chickens within city limits.
Backyard chickens generally get far more humane care than those raised in filthy, crowded “factory farms.” Backyard chickens provide outstanding pest control by eating ticks, slugs, mosquitoes and many other insects. When allowed to range in the yard, they are very entertaining and they provide more benefits to us than cats or dogs. Backyard chickens also help control household waste as they will eat leftover food and as a result produce eggs that are much more nutritious than those you can buy at the supermarket. Chickens also provide a free organic and safe fertilizer that can be used in the yard or vegetable gardens. Furthermore, industrial production is creating numerous environmental problems including pollution from manure, antibiotic resistance and higher risk of a more dangerous strain of bird flu.In recent developments, we have seen an egg shortage as a result of the pandemic that has led to shortages of many essential items. Keeping a few hens at home is one way we can each do our part to address these problems.
In conclusion, there is no legitimate reason for any city to prohibit keeping a few chickens, any more than there is reason to ban the keeping of dogs or cats. Chickens have been raised for their meat and eggs by humans for thousands of years. This city ordinance denies us our god given right to produce our own food by our own hands. By altering Edinburg City ordinance 91.05 and allowing backyard chickens, this would allow the citizens of Edinburg to enjoy the benefits of raising backyard chickens.
760
The Issue
To Whom It May Concern
As a citizen of the city of Edinburg, we would like to change Edinburg City ordinance Code 91.05, to allow the keeping of six or less backyard chickens (hens) within city limit. In addition, we would like the minimum distance of proximity of fowl enclosures reduced from 300 ft to 30 feet of an residential building excluding the homeowner. This city ordinance severely limits the rights of a homeowner to raise organic, self-grown food which has become a trend around the country due to the use of dangerous chemicals and pesticides in the food supply. This ordinance is outdated as other major cities such as McAllen, Pharr, Austin, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and many other cities have changed city ordinances to allow residents to raise backyard chickens within city limits.
Backyard chickens generally get far more humane care than those raised in filthy, crowded “factory farms.” Backyard chickens provide outstanding pest control by eating ticks, slugs, mosquitoes and many other insects. When allowed to range in the yard, they are very entertaining and they provide more benefits to us than cats or dogs. Backyard chickens also help control household waste as they will eat leftover food and as a result produce eggs that are much more nutritious than those you can buy at the supermarket. Chickens also provide a free organic and safe fertilizer that can be used in the yard or vegetable gardens. Furthermore, industrial production is creating numerous environmental problems including pollution from manure, antibiotic resistance and higher risk of a more dangerous strain of bird flu.In recent developments, we have seen an egg shortage as a result of the pandemic that has led to shortages of many essential items. Keeping a few hens at home is one way we can each do our part to address these problems.
In conclusion, there is no legitimate reason for any city to prohibit keeping a few chickens, any more than there is reason to ban the keeping of dogs or cats. Chickens have been raised for their meat and eggs by humans for thousands of years. This city ordinance denies us our god given right to produce our own food by our own hands. By altering Edinburg City ordinance 91.05 and allowing backyard chickens, this would allow the citizens of Edinburg to enjoy the benefits of raising backyard chickens.
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Petition created on April 5, 2020