Petition: Allow Backyard Chickens in the Village of Canastota, NY!
I am asking the Village of Canastota Mayor and Board of Trustees to amend the current village livestock ordinance to allow residents to responsibly keep backyard chickens, similar to the laws already adopted in neighboring communities, including the Town of Lenox.

Specifically, I am requesting that the Village:

Adopt a backyard hen ordinance allowing residents to keep a reasonable number of hens for personal use, with appropriate standards for housing, sanitation, and animal welfare.
Recognize the public health benefits of backyard poultry, including their ability to consume ticks and other insects, while acknowledging that chickens are not a proven substitute for established Lyme disease prevention measures.
Consider the growing concern about Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses in Central New York and explore responsible, environmentally friendly approaches to tick management.
Allow residents to maintain small backyard flocks for fresh eggs, food sustainability, education, and family enrichment.
Work with Cornell Cooperative Extension to provide educational opportunities on responsible poultry ownership, proper sanitation, and flock management.
Establish a reasonable permit or registration process rather than prohibiting backyard chickens altogether.
Provide an opportunity for public discussion at a Village Board meeting and consider adopting an ordinance modeled after neighboring municipalities.
As a registered nurse, mother, and Canastota resident, I care deeply about public health, sustainability, and the ability of families to responsibly raise their own food.

This petition is not asking for unrestricted livestock ownership. It is asking for a fair, reasonable, and enforceable backyard chicken ordinance that protects neighbors, promotes responsible ownership, and gives Canastota families the same opportunities available in nearby communities.

Please sign this petition to encourage the Village of Canastota to modernize its ordinances and support responsible backyard chicken ownership!