I am the proud owner of five chickens: Chicki Minaj, Egg-ar Allan Poe, and a few meat chickens named Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. I am also the husband of a woman who loves chickens and we both want more, but local regulations are infringing on our right to use the space we already have on our property. Like many other Beech Grove residents, we want to make our family more sustainable and reduce our dependence on corporate farms that deal with infections of bird flu every few years and cause the price of eggs to double.

Our city of a little over 14,000 only allows residents to keep six hens and no roosters. Indianapolis, on the other hand, allows residents to keep up to 12 chickens and one rooster. Neither city’s limits take into account the size of an individual’s property, and for that reason, local leaders should replace their arbitrary limits with evidence-based policy that accounts for public health as well as the property rights of local residents. 

Animal health experts generally agree that three to four square feet of space per chicken in a coop, and around eight to 10 square feet of space per chicken in a run is sufficient. Beech Grove already requires three square feet of space per chicken in both coops and runs, and has strict rules around coop construction and cleanliness. These rules are more than enough to maintain a healthy environment for chickens and our neighbors. 

With the ever-rising cost of groceries – the price of eggs hit $6.23 nationally back in March – it is the perfect time for Beech Grove to update their laws on backyard chickens. Instead of limiting local residents to six hens, Beech Grove should allow residents to keep as many chickens as possible as long as they have sufficient space per chicken in their coops and runs.