City of Boston Plays Chicken with Would-Be Backyard Farmers

Sustainable foodies know that the benefits of raising backyard chickens are many. Fresh eggs for your omelet? That's just scratching the surface. Chickens eat up insects, including ticks (so there's less need for harmful chemical pesticides), provide fertilizer, and gobble up table scraps (think less waste headed to a landfill or down the garbage disposal). They are increasingly kept as backyard pets for their nutritious eggs and the satisfaction that comes with raising a small amount of one's own food.

Boston residents have a tough time keeping backyard flocks, though, as Audra Karp recently found out. Karp was keeping three backyard hens when Animal Control officials left a notice on her door. Karp had been raising the hens for about a year already, but officers told her that the birds had to go. The trio of birds was relocated, but Karp is currently fighting to get them back. She's hoping to get hens classified as pets rather than livestock, as they are currently labeled.

Last week, Karp went before the city's zoning board to appeal the decision barring backyard chickens. While her request was denied, the battle is far from over: A group of concerned citizens formed "Legalize Chickens in Boston," a grassroots organization that's fighting to make it easier for backyard farmers to get started. The group is generating local support, and members recently started a petition on Change.org.

There is hope for change: According to Boston.com, City Councilor Rob Consalvo was against granting an appeal at the recent hearing, but only from a zoning perspective. He said he's received hundreds of letters  in support of backyard chickens within the city, and he is open to considering a change in policy regarding backyard chicken-keeping. Karp had the support of many neighbors who enjoyed having the chickens around, especially children. A close neighbor let the council know that the animals weren't causing any disturbance.

In the search for local, sustainable food, it doesn't get any more local than your own backyard. So it follows that backyard chicken raising is rapidly increasing in popularity as one of the more prominent ways to take control of our food supply. Given last year's massive egg recall, it shouldn't come as a surprise that raising hens is on the radar of an increasing amount of urbanites, and many cities have amended archaic zoning laws to legalize backyard farming.

You can help make it easier to raise backyard chickens in Boston. Sign Legalize Chickens in Boston's petition to the Boston City Council and Mayor Tom Menino.

Photo credit: Steven-L-Johnson via Flickr