We, the undersigned residents of the Village of Lawton, Michigan, respectfully petition the Lawton Village Council to amend Chapter 91: Animals, Section A of the village ordinance to permit the responsible keeping of a limited number of backyard hens (female chickens) on residential properties, for the sole purpose of providing fresh eggs for household use.

Proposed Amendment Summary:

We request that the ordinance be amended to allow village residents to keep up to 8 hens, with reasonable regulations including but not limited to:

Prohibition of roosters
Appropriate enclosure requirements (secure, clean, and odor-controlled)
Minimum distance requirements from neighboring residences
Periodic inspection or permitting process if necessary

Purpose and Benefits:

Food Security and Sustainability – Allowing hens supports families seeking greater food independence, especially during times of inflation or food shortages.

Educational Opportunities – Keeping hens can serve as a learning experience for children and adults in responsibility, sustainability, and agriculture.
Community Wellness – Fresh, organic eggs provide a healthy food source and promote environmentally conscious living.

Addressing Potential Objections:

Noise: Hens are generally quiet animals. Roosters, which are loud and unnecessary for egg-laying, would be explicitly prohibited under the proposed amendment.

Odor and Cleanliness: When properly cared for, backyard hens produce no more odor than household pets. Residents would be required to maintain clean coops, just as they are expected to clean up after dogs.

Attraction of Predators or Pests: Proper storage of feed and secure enclosures greatly reduce the likelihood of attracting unwanted animals. Guidelines for coop construction would be included in the amendment to address this.

Zoning and Aesthetic Concerns: Coop designs can be regulated to maintain neighborhood appearance and harmony with existing zoning laws, ensuring they remain in backyards.

Conclusion:

Backyard hens offer a low-risk, high-benefit opportunity for residents to support their households and foster a greater sense of community resilience. Over 1,000 municipalities across the United States—including rural, suburban, and urban areas—have successfully enacted similar ordinances. We believe Lawton can do the same with thoughtful regulations.

We kindly urge the Lawton Village Council to review and approve a reasonable amendment to Chapter 91 that reflects the interests of its citizens and the evolving values of sustainable living.