PLEASE SIGN TODAY!

When I moved to Grand Rapids in 2019, I was very excited to once again raise chickens on our 1/2 acre property here in the village as I had done in my postage stamp sized yard in the city of Toledo. When I had shared this with a few of my new neighbors, I was shocked to learn that the village had outlawed backyard chicken flocks. It was especially shocking to me as this is a village surrounded by rural areas and I had been allowed to keep hens within the Toledo city limits. I was also dismayed that surrounding communities such as Whitehouse and Waterville also allowed backyard chickens, but not here in Grand Rapids. 

As a registered nurse, I am very focused on the health and wellness of myself and my family. Eggs have always been a part of our everyday menu's as an excellent source of protein, vitamins and minerals with many health benefits. Unfortunately, with economic uncertainty and even the need to have my own food security in the unsettling events happening daily, I feel more than ever that village residents should have the right to raise chickens in a responsible way for their families just as we grow food in our backyard gardens. 

Some facts: 
 > In the 1940s, being sustainable was encouraged! Victory gardens and backyard chicken's were encouraged by the government for food security and sovereignty. Shouldn't we still be providing our own food as much as we are able for our own health and wellness?

> Chickens manure is a highly valuable fertilizer for vegetable gardens, allowing us to provide even more food for our families. 

> Chickens eat insects such as ticks, ants, spiders, fleas, slugs, beetles, worms... etc...

> Chickens are quiet, especially compared to the neighborhood dog. Chickens at their loudest have a noice level of 60-70 decibels which is the same as human conversation. Dogs are a decibel of around 90. 

> Waste and odor - One dog generates about 3/4lb of waste per day while one hen generates a little less than 1/4lb. and only one of these can be used in the garden. A properly managed coop, with regular cleaning and proper ventilation, will not produce odors. 

> Pests: Modern micro-flock coops, such as chicken tractors arks, and other pens are ways of keeping, and managing, family flocks that eliminate concerns about predators, rodents and other pests. Indeed, chickens are part of the solution to pesky problems. Chickens are voracious carnivores and will seek and eat just about anything that moves including ticks (think Lymes disease), fleas, mosquitoes, grasshoppers, stink bugs, slugs, and even mice, baby rats and small snakes

BENEFITS to the residents of Grand Rapids

• Food Security
• Pet Companionship
• Teaching the next generation
• Pride in our ability to provide our own food
• Health and Wellness
• Garden Fertilizer and more

Proposed Ordinance Change: 

• Number: No more than 7 hens shall be allowed for each single family dwelling.
  
  
• Setbacks: Coops to be at least 25 feet from the door or window of any dwelling or occupied structure other than the owner's dwelling. Coops shall not b located within 5 feet of a side yard lot line, nor within 18 inches of a rear yard lot line. Coops shall not be located in the front yard. 
  
  
• Enclosure: Hens shall be provided with a covered, predator proof coop that is well-ventilated and designed to be easily accessed for regular cleanings. The coop shall allow at least one square foot per hen. Hens shall have access to an outdoor run that is adequately fenced to contain birds completely.
  
  
• Sanitation: The coop and run must be kept in sanitary condition and free from offensive odors. The coop and run must be cleaned on a regular basis. 
  
  
• Slaughtering: There shall be no outdoor slaughtering in the line of vision of any neighboring properties.
  
  
• Roosters: No roosters will be permitted.
  
  

PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION TODAY AND ENCOURAGE ALL YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY 18 AND OLDER TO ALSO SIGN!