For Wadsworth residents like me, owning hens is more than a pastime; it's a lifestyle. Our hens provide eggs and organic fertilizer, and some people even raise them for their meat. They are intelligent and beautiful animals that bring us joy daily. Unfortunately, the current ordinance within the city limits prevents us from owning these valuable, docile creatures.

We are proposing a change to this outdated ordinance to allow property owners within Wadsworth city limits to own up to 6 hens, ruling out roosters because of noise concerns, in a secured area with appropriate and adequate shelter and run area, not free ranging outside of said landowner/owner's property. This wouldn't just benefit the hen owners. Locally sourced eggs are not only fresher but also reduce our carbon footprints by limiting the distance our food travels. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, food transportation is one of the fastest-growing sources of greenhouse gas emissions.

Furthermore, hen waste, a natural fertilizer, enriches our gardens, decreasing the need for chemical fertilizers that contaminate our groundwater. A study by the University of Arkansas Agricultural Extension Service found that a small flock of hens can produce enough waste to fertilize a modest backyard garden.

By allowing Wadsworth residents to own hens, we can preserve our way of life, promote local food production, and take a small but significant step towards a more sustainable community. Let's revise the city ordinances and welcome the benefits that come with owning hens. Please sign this petition to encourage the Wadsworth city council to make this critical change.

Hens typically lay 1 egg in a 24 hour period. Without a rooster the eggs are not fertile, therefore no chicks will hatch.