HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-04-17 PACKET 03.C.REQUEST OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION COUNCIL AGENDA
MEETING ITEM # � �
DATE 4/17/2013 �
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PREPARED BY: City Clerk Caron Stransky
ORIGINATING DEPARTMENT DEPARTMENT HEAD
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COUNCIL ACTION REQUEST
Consider approvi.ng the March 20, 2013 City Council Special Meeting Minutes.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Approve minutes.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:
❑ MEMO/LETTER:
❑ RESOLUTION:
❑ ORDINANCE:
❑ ENGINEERING RECOMMENDATI�N:
❑ LEGAL RECOMMENDATION:
� OTHER: Draft minutes.
ADMINISTRATORS COMMENTS
Administrator
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Date
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COUNCIL ACTION TAKEN: ❑ APPROVED ❑ DENIED ❑ OTHER
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COTTAGE GROVE CITY COUNCIL
City of Cottage Grove, Minnesota
Special Meeting
March 20, 2013
CALL TO ORDER
The City Council of the City of Cottage Grove, Washington Gounty, Minnesota, held a special
meeting on March 20, 2013 at the Cottage Grove City Hal1z �1'2800 Ravine Parkway. Mayor
,�.
Bailey called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
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ROLL CALL �� ��
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The following were present: Mayor Pro Tem Je;n�,�eterson, Council M�ri�i�;ber Derrick Lehrke,
Council Member Justin Olsen, and Council Met�i�t�be.r Dave T,I��ede. _
The following were absent: Mayor-Myron Bailey.
Also present were: Ryan Schroeder, Cifi�
Roland, Finance Director; Corrine Heiri`e
City Engineer; Craig Woolery;,Public Safi
r; CaXo� City Clerk; Robin
�-Kennedy=� Graven; Jennifer Levitt,
�Hn McCool';n�Senior Planner.
Mayor Pro Tem Peteeson presided qver the r�teetirig and announced that the purpose of the
special meeting was to discuss alloyving poulfi'Cy �nd fowl in urban residential neighborhoods.
. . .
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Senior Pla,nner�McCool high�(ighted�'a su'r�ey staff pr�Qvided to the City Council of 52
commu�ties in the rrietrc�politan area. 67 percent`of the communities did not allow chickens
on sm�all urban lots, but d�ti�allowt,h�m on large���ural and agricultural lots. The other 33
percent ofth� communrties',surveyed allow chickens on urban residential lots. Some
cities had a mi.nimum lot area ; �equirem�ei�.t larger than a conventional single-family lot.
Senior Planner McCool stated th�t at the February 6 meeting, the City Council asked for a
recommendation froti�t'.the Plan�ilhg Commission and Public Safety, Health, and Welfare
Commission and both'recor�ime'nded that the City ordinance not be amended and the
current ordinance continue �o`require a minimum of five acres of land to keep any farm
animal. The City Council placed on file the recommendations and reports made by both
Commissions but acknowledged that they were not "formal" recommendations because a
public hearing to amend the ordinances was not conducted. The Council also stated that the
two families currently with chickens or ducks would be allowed to keep their animals until
the Council decides if there should be a policy.
CITY OF COTTAGE GROVE • 12800 Ravine Parkway • Cottage Grove, Minnesota 55016
www.cottage-grove.org • 651-458-2800 • Fax 651-458-2897 • Equal Opportunity Employer
Cottage Grove City Council I�
March 20, 2013 Special Meeting
Senior Planner McCool informed the Council that based on the Council's discussion, the
owners of the chickens and ducks were given planning applications to file an ordinance
amendment to allow chickens or ducks on urban residential lots. The application fee for an
ordinance amendment is $600.
Senior Planner McCool stated that Rykna Olson stopped by his office and she wanted him to
distribute material relafied to the type and design of a chicken coup. He stated that he also
received an email from Autumn Carlson asking that we provide the City Council with a copy
of her material from the Chicken Run Rescue organization. To date, no application has been
received to amend City ordinance to allow poultry and/or fowl on urban residential lots. The
material is attached to the original minutes.
Bob Burtman stated that he thought the Council discussed the fact fihat he would not have
to pay the $600 application fee due to process thafi they have gone through to date.
Senior Planner McCool stated that staff is requesting direction from the City Council on how
to proceed with this issue. Based on ordinance requirements in other communities, an
ordinance amendment was drafted and is included in the agenda packet. The regulatory
requirements by other communities were inserted in the draft ordinance amendment. The
City's advisory commissions and staff have not reviewed the draft ordinance.
Mayor Pro.Tem Peterson opened the meeting for discussion purposes.
The City Council then proceeded to discuss the concerns about the request, i.e. the potential
noise, bacterial-related health issues, and whether chicks/fowl should be vaccinated or de-
wormed. There was interest in receiving a presentation from the organization, Chicken Run
Rescue. Other concerns related to smaller lot sizes, home values, and the current ordinance
on chickens/fowl.
Council Member Lehrke stated that he lives on a 2.5 acre parcel now and he could put in a
chicken coup and you would never find it.
Council Member Olsen stated that there are major urban centers in St. Paul and
Minneapolis who allow chickens/fowl on one acre lots. Minneapolis adopted their ordinance
last year and St. Paul a couple of years ago. He questioned what the driving force was
behind their decisions.
Council Member Thiede asked if there were any regulations about actually having coups in
your garage or in the house.
Senior Planner McCool responded that it comes back to the fact that they have to be on a
five acre parcel. One needs to have five acres to have them anywhere on their property.
Senior Planner McCool stated that there was a question asked about how many dogs and
cats you can maintain on your property and currently the ordinance would limit that to no
more than three licensed animals (dogs/cats).
Cottage Grove City Council I�
March 20, 2013 Special Meeting
Council Member Thiede stated that conceivably, we could treat these as pets and they could
be included in the total number of pets allowed. �
Council Member Peterson stated that if you have more than three dogs/cats, you need to
have permission of the adjoining properties and an inspection completed by the Community
Development Department.
City Clerk Stransky concurred with Council Member Peterson and stated that in order to
maintain four or five dogs and cats, one would have to obtain a multiple animal license. With
that license application, the adjoining property owners would have to sign off on the
application either in favor of or opposed to the application, as well as have an inspection of
the property completed by the Community Development Department.
Council Member Lehrke stated that for discussion purposes he would say that there is a
happy ground. What would be the problem if all of the adjacent properties all said sure? If a
new property owner moved, would we have them sign off on the initial application being
either in favor of or opposed to the neighbor having chickens/fowl on their property. Could
we realistically do that?
Council Member Thiede stated that there would have to be some type of disclosure made to
the new owner advising them of the chickens or fowl before they purchase the home.
Council Member Olsen stated that as far as the fee for the text amendment, he stated that
he doesn't feel that they should have to pay for the fee. The City Council can always request
it and it wouldn't cost anybody anything.
Female in audience stated that the problem here is everybody is looking at the positive side
and thinking about how good it would be for the people that own these animals, but they are
not thinking about the people that don't. There are health issues to consider with children,
allergies, feces, and the noise and pollution factors.
Council Member Olsen stated that he would say the same thing applies for dogs and cats,
etc., that is why we have ordinances.
Female in the audience stated that we are not talking about a dog or a cat we are talking
about ducks that are not domesticated.
Council Member Lehrke stated that we are also talking about pot bellied pigs for people that
have allergies. We need to look at the science and less at whether you like chickens. If you
don't like dogs, then why is it okay for my neighbor to have a dog or cat? He stated that he
does not think that we can make it as strict as, if I hear or smell the chickens they have to
go. We have to be realistic that there are a lot of things that we do on our property. There is
a fine line between your property line and your neighbor's property line but you both have
property rights. If somebody pays $125,000 for a piece of property, they should be able to
do as many things as they want.
Cottage Grove City Council I/�
March 20, 2013 Special Meeting `�'
Female in audience stated that she understands that but on the same token, if she is
spending that much or more, then she should have the right to not have to deal with it. The
ordinance is what it is now and I am sure there are a lot of people within the Citythafi are not
in favor of having them next door.
Council Member Lehrke stated that at the same time we are receiving letters and emails
from people in favor of ifi that didn't know there was an ordinance against it.
Female in the audience stated that you need to do your own due diligence and follow the
rules. If you are moving into a community, figure that out. Thafi is what people are supposed
to do.
Rykra Olson stated that she worked in a veterinarian clinic and she has taken care of
animals and has grown up on a farm. She stated that she can hear both sides of this issue.
If you walk by a farm with a number of animals, you can smell the feces.
Female in fihe audience stated that you are talking about a dedicated farm, not a residential
home. If she wanted to live near a farm, she would have purchased a home near a farm.
Rykra Olson stated that on the same issue, she walks past her neighbor's yards and she can
smell dog feces. Even though she may not like it, she does not have a choice because they
are allowed in the City ordinance.
Council Member Olsen reiterated that he would be interested in having someone from the
Chicken Run Rescue organization make a presentation to help them understand what some
of the ramifications would be if the City moved forward with amending the ordinance. For
example, should we require that people have their birds vaccinated against certain diseases
to protect the public health? Are there ways in which fecal matter needs to be managed
effectively? He stated that he knows that the State has feedlot laws but he does not know if
they would necessarily apply to a three or four bird operation. Once we have a little more
information, we would be are able to make a decision based on facts and data versus
emotion.
Council Member Thiede stated that he would like to obtain more information on the muftiple
animal license regulations.
Council Member Lehrke asked if the current ordinance applies to birds in your house as far
as the number you can maintain. Can you only have one bird, one dog and one cat?
Senior Planner McCool stated that the ordinance does not apply to birds.
Council Member Lehrke asked if we have an ordinance that covers the other types of pets,
such as rats, gerbils, hamsters, etc.
Senior Planner McCool responded no.
Council Member Thiede asked if they would be covered under the multiple animal license.
Cottage Grove City Council I�
March 20, 2013 Special Meeting
Council Member Olsen asked about a snake.
Senior Planner McCool responded that a snake would be classified as an exotic animal and
depending on the type of snake, they may not be allowed.
Council Member Peterson stated that this is a Council workshop so she does not believe
that this needs to be handled like a public hearing.
Council Member Lehrke stated that everybody should have an opportunity to speak.
Council Member Peterson stated that if it does move forward, it would move to the Planning
Commission with an actual hearing at which time everyone can voice their concerns.
Council Member Lehrke stated that for him, at the risk of beating the drum again, he is
looking for statistics, why should we not have chickens, show me how many people got sick
in the last five years. Whatever you can come up with obviously we can piece it from there.
Then it would be awesome if those same numbers at all correlated to what we currently
have as domestic pets. Are more people getting sick from chickens or from dogs?
He would be happy to vote no if someone could tell him that it is three times more likely for
this versus that.
City Engineer Levitt stated that just in the interest of time, she does need one clarification.
We have received an application now so we are asking the Council if you would like staff to
conduct a public hearing at the Planning Commission.
Council Member Olsen responded affirmatively.
Council Member Lehrke responded that he thinks so but now may be too early if we don't
even know where we are headed.
Senior Planner McCool stated that he should return it to the applicant because by accepting
it we would have 60 days to take action. He stated that he would return it because they have
not submitted the fee.
Council Members Olsen and Council Member Lehrke agreed.
Council Member Peterson concurred that in the meantime, the property owners can keep
their chickens and ducks.
City Engineer Levitt stated that the goal would be to report back to the Council at the second
meeting in April 2013.
Council Member Olsen stated that you did the survey via the Survey Monkey and how long
was that out there for people to access.
Cottage Grove City Council I�
March 20, 2013 Special Meeting
Senior Planner McCool responded that is was out there for 10 days. He was surprised that
we received 271 responses in such a short period of time.
Council Member Peterson stated that we are moving to the Council Chamber for the regular
meeting.
Senior Planner McCool stated that the Council has asked for additional information, we will
contact the Chicken Run Rescue organization to see if they would be available to make a
presentation at the second meeting in April, or April 17. It would be on the Agenda under
Council Responses where there may not be a formal action at that time.
Council Member Olsen stated that at that point they would have to decide if they want to just
say we are not interested or if we want to continue to move forward.
The special meeting convened to the Council Chamber for the regular meeting.
Prepared by,
Caron M. Stransky
City Clerk
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Attachments:
Hello,
autumnfall555@yahoo.com ,
Wednesday, March 20, 2013 8:01 AM
Kathy Dennis; John McCool '
Re: City Council Workshop - Poultry.& Fowl Discussion
Cottage Grove presentation.docx
I appreciate the email regarding the city council and the poultry and fowl discussion. Thank you!
I received an email today from the Chicicen Run Rescue, an organization that was mentioned at previous city
council meetings. The owner provided rne with a presentation similar to the one they gave to Golden Valley on
the chicicen topic. The presentation was updated to fit the Cottage Grove situation. I would love if you could
pass this on to city council members so they can talce a loolc at the information the rescue provides. Thank you!
Here is the presentation:
Autumn Carlson
n
CRR Presentation to Cottage Grove City Council
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1. Chicken Run Rescue is the only urban chicken rescue organization in the country.
CRR has worked with Minneapolis Animal Care and Control (MACC) since 2001 and
with the Animal Humane Society's 5 Metro Area shelters since 2007. Af�er their
release from impound, Chicken Run has provided close to 850 birds and a few goats,
pigs and sheep with temporary shelter and vet care, located and screened adopters
within 90 miles of the Twin Cities and transported the birds to their new homes.
CRR currently has 767 Metro Area subscribers to our adoption newsletter whose
primary interest is caring for companion chickens.
CRR is a primary stakeholder in any policy affecting animals intended for
agricultural purposes in the City. We have invested $80,000 since starting CRR, not
including substantial wages lost from our small business.
As of March 2012, over 400 permits have already been issued by MACC (up from 26
in 2001) and approximately 15 new applications arrive per week. MACC staff is
working diligently but is months behind in processing paperwork and performing
inspections. The City lacks �he means to regulate and enforce what is currently
allowed.
Permitting of ari animal is a privilege not a right because it impacts the resources of
tax funded municipal services such as animal control. There are provisions in city
ordinances for the keeping of companion animals because they are widely viewed as
family members and as long as �he animals are properly cared for and they do not
negatively impact other residents in densely populated neighborhoods, that practice
is compatible with urban living. Many other municipalities currently revising urban
farm animal policies will inevitably need to revise them again once the long-term
consequences of such activities become apparent.
2. Some recent incidents indicate that proponents of urban animal farming object to
government interference and regulation.
-- In 2009, MACC requested an increase in permit fees to cover expenses of the
increasing number of permits. The requested amount was cut in half by pressure
from urban animal farming proponents. If city residents are unable or unwilling to
pay the application and permit fees to cover the City's costs for regulating domestic
fowl, what is the likelihood of investing in their proper care?
-- This is a quote by Novella Carpenter, an urban animal farming activist in Oakland,
CA:
"Our particular neighborhood is called Ghost Town. It's because there are so many
abandoned lots. There's drug dealers on the street, there's prostitutes, people
growing weed... I take - �his sort oF state of anarchy of our neighborhood to my
advantage."
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I've provided a link to her 2011 video interview titled: Obsessives: Urban Farming:
Novella Carpenter's backyard is a pigsty.
http://www.chow.com/videos/show/obsessives/55298/obsessives-urban-farming
I encourage Commission members to view it. It should strike fear in the hearts of
City Planners, neighborhood associations, residents and people who care about
animals everywhere.
- In July, 2011, CRR received a report about an urban farm located at 24th Street and
Snelling Avenue alongside the Hiawatha Light Rail that introduced a flock of 49
birds that May. However, repeated vandalism by local youths and complaints about
the lack of care and protection of the birds brought the egg business to a halt in July.
Business owners reported that the urban farm had to be relocated 3 times due to
complaints from neighbors.
- In the summer of 2011, Theo Wirth Children's' Garden coop was removed after
repeated theft of birds, vandalism, shoddy appearance and concern for safety and
care of birds caused Bryn Mawr Neighborhood Association to complain to
Minneapolis Park Board. �
- In February, 2012, a 311 public comment site (now removed) was full of boasts by
people who posted that they have had chickens for years and Animal Control does
nothing about it due to lack of staff and funds to enforce.
- Prior to 2012, urban animal farming activists in Oakland, CA have used the term
companion animals to open door to urban farm animals and are now pushing for
slaughter. Oakland resident Ian, Elwood, Co-Founder of Neighbors Opposed to
Backyard Slaughter, wrote:
"The "Animals Ordinance"
In El Cerrito, California a group of residents convinced the city to create an "animals
ordinance," allowing people to keep pigs, goats, and chickens in the backyard. The
city led the majority of people �o believe that residents wanted to keep these
animals as pets...
By leading the general public to believe that the new animals being shepherded into
the city were pets, they avoided public scrutiny on a crucial issue to their cause.
Slaughter. Once the discussion around slaughter began, it created controversy, but
not enough to change the course of the originally proposed ordinance. Since
slaughter was not explicitly addressed by the policy, it left the door open for people
to kill the animals in their yards. But the public still believed that the original
ordinance - the one that referred to goats, rabbits and chickeris as pets - was the
same law that was passed.... In addition to ethical concerns, animal farming can be
expensive, and could easily cost more money than most Oakland residents could
afford. Allowing animal farming only appeases those in Oakland who have animal
farms as hobbies, writing books, blogs and articles for locovore food columns about
their mis-adventures in animal farming in the city."
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3. Permit compliance is a challenge to enforce.
For every permit there can be anywhere from 3 to 25 birds per household. These
figures only include city residents actually going through the required permit �
process and do not iriclude people who are unaware of or unwilling to get permits.
There could be anywhere from 540 to 4500 new permitted chickens in Minneapolis.
Since the compliance rate for cat licenses is about 3%, its reasonable to assume the
same for chickens, so there could be an additiona118,000 to 150,000 un-permitted
chickens in Minneapolis alone. The same trend is occurring in St. Paul, Metro Area
suburbs and nation wide. Those figures do not include the number of offspring that
might be produced by accidental or intentional breeding.
Animal complaints rank at the top of the demands for city services in Minneapolis.
The explosion of activity has created a whole new population of animals requiring
regulation, administration of permits, enforcement / inspections, sheltering costs
for impounded / seized / surrendered birds, and complaint response including
residents engaging in backyard slaughter which is an issue of concern for zoning
and health agencies as well. Chickens attract flies, bird mites and lice, mice, yard
birds, squirrels, raccoons, dogs, coyotes, fox, mink, opossum, rats, owls, bobcats,
hawks, snakes, weasels and vandals.
Other public hazards exist as well- I've provided a link to 2/27/12 Fox News
coverage headlined as Urban Chicken Farm Fire Scare in Minneapolis
http://loku.com/content/urban-chicken-farm-fire-scare=in-mpls#
4. Capture of strays taxes an already overburdened and understaffed agency with a
whole host of new challenges, not the least of which is the time consuming task of
capturing strays. CRR is routinely contacted to capture strays who local agencies
have been unable or unwilling to catch.
5. Abandoned, seized, surrendered birds abound.
As illustrated by the chart Increased Demand for Placement of "Urban Farm"
Animals,
(http://www.chickenrunrescue.org/surrender_chart.pd�
backyard chicken-keeping raises serious concerns about ordinance enforcement
issues, and the burden placed on already overwhelmed local shelters and rescue
organizations when birds are abandoned, seized, or surrendered- particularly for
the unwanted roosters (always pitched to CRR as `beautiful, friendly, very loved
since they were chicks and don't want them to go somewhere where they will be
eaten' and won't use craigslist because the people are creepy.)
-birds abandoned, seized, or surrendered arrive almost always in groups, not as
single animals.
6. The condition of the birds we receive are in increasingly poor condition as
illustrated by the chart Veterinary Expenses for Urban Rescues as Indicator of Poor
Care
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(http://www.chickenrunrescue.org/vet chart.pd�
The most common causes of health issues are associated with inexperience or
indifference and require vet care:
• Inadequate Shelter: frostbite, hypothermia, heat stress, infectious disease,
injury, parasites, foot problems, stress
o Improper Food: emaciation, dehydration, nutritional deficiencies, toxicity,
feather loss, reproductive disorders
• Poor Breeding Practices: deformities, organ failure, neurological disorders,
blindness, infectious disease, mutilation (de-beaking, pinioning)
• Overcrowding: stress, injury from aggression, over mating, feather loss,
infectious diseases, injury, parasites, lack of access to shelter, food and water, rest
• Caging: feather loss, stress, injury
- Inappropriate shelter is a huge concern. Chickens are Tropical Jungle Fowl and
require serious protection in Minnesota climate. According to the Minnesota
Department of Agriculture, "Minimum Temperature 55°(�, maximum temperature
70°(F)"* is the optimal temperatuxe range for the health and comfort of the birds.
*Poultry Your Way: A Guide to Management Alternatives for the Upper Midwest", 2005
Other dark consequences of the chicken keeping fad:
- killing and disposal of males who comprise 50% of the birds hatched (see "INSIDE
A HATCHERY", with footage of chick sexing, rooster disposal and de-beaking.)
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/video-shows-chicks-ground-alive-
iowa-egg-hatchery-articl e-1.406395
- killing or disposal of hens whose egg production peaks at 18 months of age. Flock
breeds can live to 14 years but in the wild have a life expectancy of as much as 30-35
years.
- home videos of do-it-your-self backyard chicken slaughter abound on YouTube.
- shipment of day old chicics by mail-a process that subjects them to temperature
extremes, injury, and sustenance deprivation.(our Lowry Post Office hates handling
live baby birds in boxes and complains of crying and crowing. There are no
prohibitions on mailing adult birds.)
- startup costs for caring for chickens average $2000- 4000, supplies and utilities
$300 per year per (privacy fencing is a must)
- vet care has cost us an average of $100 minimum per year per bird and there is a
lack of avian specialists available to treat the birds. At the Minnesota Veterinary
Medical Association ConFerence in February 2012, there was a presentation
regarding the increased need for specialized veterinary services to identify and
treat chicken diseases emerging in backyard flocks.
7. Recommendations if chickens are to be allowed:
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-- Do NOT prohibit roosters. For every backyard hen, there is a dead or abandoned —
rooster. Prohibitions on roosters have no fact based justification and discourages
people from accepting responsibiIity for all the males winding up �n the city. If
chickens are to be allowed, both sexes need to be allowed equally. Roosters can
make wonderful companions and they protect hens, find food and choose nesting
sites. We have had multiple roosters for 11 years and have never had a single
complaint. Our neighbors love the sound and we are conscientious about keeping
them indoors until the ambient noise level of the neighborhood is well underway
each morning. Crowing of roosters should be handled like any other noise complaint
like barking dogs, music, machinery, traffic noise or any other disturbance that a
well written noise ordinance can regulate. IF permit neighbors will not sign off on
the permit regardless of the sex, then so be it and no chicken permit should be
issued. Otherwise, the cities that ban them are complicit in the abandonment/death
of 50% of the birds being brought into the city. This would never be acceptable
policy for any other species. Further, the sex of the birds can't be determined until
they are 4-6 months old so it's unenforceable.
Here's some rooster facts to consider:
cockatoo 135 decibels (often constant)
dog 90 decibels (often constant)
med rooster up to 90, decibels (not constant)
bantam rooster (dependent on breed) about 30 decibels (not constant)
hen's egg cackle about 70 decibels (incessant till she lays)
-- Comprehensive and strictly enForced standards of care are essential.
MN cruelty and neglect laws have a double standard for companion animals vs
agricultural animals. Maximum penalty for an act of cruelty to a companion animal
is a felony. The same act of cruelty to a chicken is a misdemeanor unless the owner
can demonstate they kept them as a companion animal. They obviously deserve the
same legal protections from cruelty, neglect and standards of care as dogs and cats.
CRR will be happy to assist with drafting a policy or ordinance. We have worked
closely with Mpls. City Planner on related issues in Minneapolis and she has
requested our participation on a technical advisory board for future chicken related
ordinance plans.
Aly Pennucci, AICP, LEED Green Associate, City Planner, City of Minneapolis
Community Planning and Economic Development, 612,673.5342, aly.�ennucciC�minneapolismn gov
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RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MUNICIPAL REGULATION OF URBAN CHICKENS
(http://www.chickenrunrescue.org/chickencareandrequirerev2310.pd�
was written at the request of Minneapolis Animal Care and Control in collaboration
with MACC staff. It had been used as a model by neighborhood organizations in
Denver, CO and Oakland, CA and has been endorsed by farm animal sanctuaries all
over the country. There is no other document like it. The last page of it contains
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specific information that must be included in an effective policy. Housing
appropriate for Minnesota climate and protection form predators is not negotiable.
-- Permit chickens as companion animals only and be prepared to enforce
protections as such.
-- Do NOT prohibit roosters. For every backyard hen, there is a dead or abandoned
rooster.
-- Prohibit breeding, encourage adoption
-- Prohibit sale or barter of eggs
-= Get a slaughter ban in place. The leas� we can do for animals if they do end up
living in our city is to prevent them from being killed.
One can achieve all of the goals of urban farming (food security, community
building, etc..) much better without animals. Animals are not necessary part of
farming.
Once the animals are allowed it is very hard to regulate what residents will be
allowed to do to them. Perhaps its better to keep animals ou� of harms way to begin
with.
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Shelter 59
The handles at both ends of this shelter make it easy for two people to move it (the
handles in the middle are for lifting off the siding to gain access).
of thumb is to keep only as many chickens as you can rotate without revisiting
the same ground within a given year. �
The so-called cliicken tractor concept uses the same principle as range rota-
tion in a confined shelter, but the shelter is moved around a garden e�ressly so
the chickens will destroy weeds, eat cutworms and other pests, and fertilize the
soil. Although active chickens will scratch in the dirt, hence the name chicicen -
tractor, standard broilers and other inactive types tend instead to compact the
soil. Like pasture shelters, portable garden shelters must be moved often enough
to prevent the chickens from foraging in their own droppings. And in northern
areas the birds will need alternative housing that offers ,protection from rough
winter weather. �
Portable Shelters
Portable shelters have become popular because they are less e�ensive than per-
manent housing, are not taxed as property improvements in some areas, and may
be moved periodically to give chickens healthful ground and fresh forage. To aid
in moving them, these shelters come in four basic styles: ,
■ With handles, to be moved by hand
■ On skids, to be moved by hand if light enough; otherwise by a truck, trac-
tor, or draft animal •
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the surroundings to lceep it from looking out of place and lceep complaining
I neighbors at bay, especially if you live in a populated area. The shelter should
� fit in with existing structures in size, type of construction, and'style and color
of the siding and roofing. .
Simple, open housing is easier to clean than a coop with numerous nool�s and
crannies, although the latter offers more hiding places for birds that are lowest
in the peck order. If the shelter is high enough for you to stand in, you'll be more
` inclined to clean it as often as it needs cleaning. If you prefer a low Coop — for
reasoris o£ economy, to retain your flock's body heat in a cold climate, or to keep
the stxucture from blowing over in a high wind — design it lilce a chest freezer,
with a hinged roof that opens so you can stand erect during cleanirig.
BASIC COOP DESIGN (INTERNAL VIEW) _ `�
10'0" screened and
�— shuttered openings
roosts droppings
- pit
waterer hanging tube feeder
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Space
How much spac
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some breeds are
ens to engage ii
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ier and more cox
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access door
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door
fence
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window
This basic coop plan features
roosts bver a droppings pit for
good sanitation, a window for
light, and screened and shuttered
openings on the north side to
control ventilation.To expand
the interior floor space, build the
nests on the outside of the coop.
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This layout can offer
ages, or the two are�
BASIC COOP DESIGN (EXTERNALVIEW
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I F YOU'RE LOOKING FOR THE D�FINITIVE; perfect, all-purpose �
chiclzen shelter, dream on. The �design that best fits your needs must take into
consideration your geographic location and weather patterns, your available
land, how many chickens you plan to keep, the breed or breeds you choose, and
the purpose for which you intend to keep them— not to mention how much you
want to spend. If you Iive in apopulated area, you'll avoid neighborhood hassles if
your structure blends in with the surroundings. Zoning or ofher building restric-
tions may further narrow down your facility options.
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, A�chicken shelter should fit the neighborhood and blend into its surroundings.
themselves rather than hiring a carpen
ter or buying a prefab unit Of course,
they will have to live with the results.
scrounged materials at very little cost,
the finished product ma.y not jibe with a
builder's preconceived image of the per-
fect poulfry chateau. By contrast, other
keepers map have �lie requisite catpen
tay sk�ls, butnot�lie time, to create their
own. chickeaiv�las.
No matter how excited pou are to
getstarted, don'tpickup tha.thammer—
or let anyone else pick it up
you've made sure the site is righ� The
Not the least among the fa.ctors to
considerwhen dete�Yn�ng how and
where to house powr new flock are your
While almost anyone can consiruct a own wishes: Remember why pou
iunctional coop from scratch, using decided to keep chickens in the �rst
place. If watching hens peck in. the yard
will soofhe your soul, it makes little
sense to shut them away where you
can't see them. If, however, chicken
poop on pour saddles makes your toes
curl, lockiug young broilers in a chicken
yard so they don't invade pour tack stall
is a bet�er option.
YOUR COOP:
BASIC REQUIREMENTS
where of coop building is as important Access, lighting, veni�ation, insulation,
as the form and method of it You don't and flooring a11 need.to be carefully con
want to have to raze a half-constructed sidered as you plan your coop. Think in
henhouse after a visitor helpftxll.y points terms of easy access for you and your
that i�s too close to the neighbox's fence. flock—but not for predaf.ors. You'll need
Manp hobbp farm.s are located in to determine how to provide the right
the suburbs, which means their coops amount of lighting and'veni�ation with
are subjectto municipal cod'es. out compromising the effectiveness of
This building originally designed to ho� �e emus at the Griggs' tarm nowserves as a chicken coop.
When hawks keep their distance, the :hickens enjoy the run of a chain-link fenced yard. When
danger threatens, a covered rearpen s �ields them from predation.
your insulaiion. Knowing which : iooring the ground. Use fhe cutout to fashion a
material to use and which to av �icrw�l.m Affix iull width moldXug (for irac
save pou from a lot of iuture aggr. �vation, yiion) every 6 inches along its inside sur-
MAR 1 9 2! 13 ,;face, then hinge it at the bottom so the
ACCESS , ; door swings out and down. Fititwith a
Your coop will atleast twc doors:--� secure lafch so you can bar the door at
one for you and one or more f� r pour night If raccoons are a problem in the
birds. Ifyour coop is low and clo� : to the
ground (a good design in no -thern
climes, where body heat is wa �ted in
taller structures), pour door mi� ht sim
p1y be a hinged roof. �Pith thi� rind of
simple opening, pou>can eas�y fi ed and
water your birds, tidp the coc p, and
gather eggs. If the coop is a st ndard,
upright model, it should swing �nward
so chickens are less likely to :scape
whenyou openthe door. Chicke i doors
(14 inches tall by 12 inches wide can be
cut in outer walls about 48 inch :s from
area, choose a fairly complex latch; if a
toddler can open the lock, then a rao-
coon canunlockit eas'rlp.
LIGHTWG AND VENTILATION
I�ight is essential to chickens' health and
happiness; na�tu lighting is better tlzan.
bulbs and Iamps. If pou want pour hens
to lap year you must wire your
coop an.d install fixtures. Sliding win-
dows work bes� chickens can't roost on
them when. they're open. Every wiudow
must be tightly screened, even if pour
A homemade .structure makes a fine grower coop for this flock of light Brahma pullets and cockereLs.
�c Griggs of Thayer, Missour; crafted this inexpensive enclosure using a secondhand truck topper
and siandard chicken wire.
chickens can't ftp. If preda.tors can wrig
gle their way around or through those
screens, thep will. Don't use 1-inch
chicken wire or poultrp netting; pou'll
need % to 3 /-inch galvanized mesh to
keep wee beasties such as wea.sels and
miuk at bay. If pou live in frigid win.ter
c]imes, large south side windows are a
mus� they admit lots ofwinter light and
radiant heat In general, allow at least 1
square foot of window for each 10
square feet of floor space. If pou live
where temperat�xres rarely dip below
freeiing, install even more windows. I�s
hardto letintoo muchlight
Exira windows also create cooling,
healthfial cross-vent7aiionwhen summer
heat is an issue. Install the eglxa win
dow� on your coop's north wall and pos-
sibly east one too. Your coop must be
properlp ventilatecl. Chickens exhale up
to tllirty-five times per minute, releasing
va.st amounts of hea.t, moisture, and car-
bon diogide into their environment
Their lungs won'-t sustain constantly
breat3�ing hea�y, togic air, so faulty coop
ventilation quickly leads to respiratory
distress. Where large windows (and lots
of them) aren't possil�le, saw 6-inch cir-
cular or 2 by-6 ; inch rectangular ventila
tion openings high along one or more
nonwindowedwalls. Unplugthesevents
when extra air is needed, and close them
tightly when i�s frigid outside. Chickens
can weather considerable heat or cold
when their fiousing is dry and draft free,
but they don't do well in smelly, damp
condiiions. Ifpour,nose smells ainmonia
as you enter or open your coop, i�s not
adequately ventil.ated. _D o_ somethi�lg_
immediatelp to fix this problem
INSULATION � � � ����
To get pour cluckens through w�nters
as unforgiving as those in northern
� 7p esota, the coop must be well insu
lated. If money is scarce,.you can insu
late onlp the coop's north wall and
bank outside by using hay or straw
bales stacked at least two deep.
Another ploy: bank with snow up
again.st the coop; shovel, push, or
bucket it as far up the sides as pou can.
��%P'indowheightis good, ifyou canman
age. If i�s still too cold inside the coop,
you'll need a heat lamp. But remember:
fallen heat laamps can, and often do,
spark fires. So install. your heat lamp in
a reasonablp safe Iocation and use it
onlp when really needed.
Chickens can die in temperatures
higher than 95 degrees. If sizzling,
muggp summers are common in pour
locale, make sure your coop and outdoor
enclosures are situated in partial shad�
orplaritvegetation aroundyour chickens'
lodgings to partially shade i� giantpump-
kin or bottle gourd vines on trellises are
helpful. Insulaiion helps repel day(ime
hea� and fans generate badlp needed air-
flow Opt for light-colored or corrugated
metal roofing and paint e$ternal sut�aces
a matte white color to refiect the heat
Avoid overcrowding by allowing addi
tional space for each ofyour birds; over-
crowding leads to higher indoor
tempera.�res and hvmiclitp.
FLOORING
Your coop's floor may be constru.cte
concrete, wood, or plain old �
Concrete is rodent proof and ea.
clean, but comparatively expen;
Wood must be elevated on pier
blocks; it looks nice but can be hax
clean andperiodicallyneeds replacir
�Pell drained dirt floors work :
However, � a dirt floor is poorly dra
or allowed to become muckp, you�l. l
a sheer disaster onyour hands.
Using the best bet deep b.edc
spstem you'll blanket your floo
choice with a eushp layer of absorl
xnaterial to keep things iidy and fresY
Chopped straw (whea.t sirawis �
or wood shavings are ideal; rice
peanut hulls, sawdust, dry leaves,
shredded paper work well, too. Yc
H rusnc H-rrame coop on the edge of the garden makes a fine summer home for these pu
working in our chicken tractor. �