While every other city and town in Hendricks county permits keeping poultry- including Brownsburg, Plainfield, and Avon- Danville still does not, despite being the 4-H seat and largely rural. Now, perhaps more than ever, people are understanding the benefits of sustainability and taking responsibility for what food is on our plates. We hope that Danville continues to help foster a great sense of community and sustainability by permitting and promoting responsible chicken-keeping within town limits.

A group of Danville residents are coming together to ask the Town Council to change the ordinance which does not allow residents in town to "keep, harbor, raise or stable poultry or fowl of any kind within town limits."
We are still gathering information about our ordinance and rules in surrounding towns, but feel our town mission to "plan for future growth, to enhance our authentic hometown and to unite the community" is equally the goal of families that own or raise chickens for food, a sustainable homestead and brings neighbors together sharing fresh eggs and produce from their gardens.
Our family started raising chickens when quarantine began. Food, cleaning supplies and toilet paper shortages were happening everywhere, prices increased and we were limited on purchasing certain amounts of items. One thing we were able to control was what we produced. We expanded our garden, bought chickens and ducks for eggs and meat. My husband and I are both Veterans, serving all over the world. We moved to Danville after being displaced by hurricane Katrina. We have seen first hand for years, how important it is to have a sustainable homestead. We could have bought a home in other towns, but the draw to Danville was undeniable. The ability to walk to the farmers market or DQ in the summer or lunch at The Bread Basket has been really amazing. The park is in our backyard which was so important when raising 3 boys. We looked at one house in Danville and fought for 3 months to get it! We do not want to move because of an outdated ordinance that contradicts the vision and mission of the town of Danville.
I have created this petition to show the Town Council how many Danville residents are interested in owning chickens to have a sustainable homestead or as pets. Our family and neighbors have had a great time together raising chickens for the first time. Our neighbor's kids come over to help feed and water the chickens because they think "it's so cool." Please sign the petition even if you do not intend to own chickens yourself, but maybe your neighbor would and will share the experience with you as well as the eggs. The connections and experiences have been a great reward for most of our neighbors in a time of such uncertainty.

Thank you for reading and considering being a part of change for Danville!