Chickens a hot issue at city hall

A crowd of nearly 40 people was on hand at Havre City Council Chambers Monday night as city officials tackled the question of whether residents should be allowed to have chickens in their yards.

The Council’s Ordinance Committee listened to people on both sides of the issue, although supporters seemed to be in the majority.

The committee made no decision at the meeting, but agreed to hold another hearing at 6:30 p.m., Monday, March 9, after gathering more information.

Linda Mills, spokeswoman for a newly formed group favoring chickens, said fears of the proposed law are exaggerated.

Noise from the chickens will be far less than the sound of dogs barking, she said. There may be odor from large commercial operations, she said, but people with urban chickens would have far fewer chickens.

She presented a proposed ordinance, based on the Missoula ordinance, that would charge $15 for a chicken license, and require that chickens be kept 20 feet away from neighbors’ homes. The group also studied ordinances in other Montana cities, which have varying fee structures and regulations.

She said Montanans are independent people, and allowing them to raise chickens would help them be more self-reliant for food.

Mills said most people will want chickens for the eggs.

While others spoke in favor of Mills’ comments, Havre resident Jennifer Kinsella said she hd serious questions about the proposal.

“Chickens are dirty animals,” she said.

Relatives in rural areas raise chickens, she said.

People wear masks when they clean up chicken waste, she said, adding that it raises health concerns in the city, she said.

Others questioned whether flies and vermin will be attracted to the city by chickens and waste.

“What about coyotes,” questions Council Member Janet Trethewey, a committee member

“Cats attract coyotes,” Mills said.

Others were concerned about how police and animal control officers would deal with complaints of noise and odor.

“We have enough problems with dogs,” said Hill County Sanitarian Clay Vincent.

Police Chief Gabe Matosich said that even though the city has an animal control officer, police spend a lot of time dealing with animal control issues — barking dogs, loose dogs and, in some cases, even poisoning of dogs.

What would happen if a chicken escaped and was caught roaming freely on the streets, one resident asked.

Mills said she would take care of the impounded chicken.