The case for urban hens in Havre

As a new resident and homeowner in Havre, I was surprised to learn the city does not allow backyard chickens within the city limits. Historically, throughout the U.S., as small towns transformed into small cities, they prohibited livestock within city limits, including horses, dairy cows, rabbits and chickens. But over the past two decades there has been a marked shift to allow “urban hens,” even in very large cities. I lived for 10 years in Billings, which is one of more than a dozen major cities in Montana that allow urban hens. The four largest are Billings, Kalispell, Missoula and Miles City. Great Falls allows them if the homeowner has at least one acre.

The primary objective of having such hens is the ability to produce the highest-quality eggs, especially if the hens are fed leftover vegetable and food scraps with their regular feed. Not only does this generate a deep colored and richer yolk, but the flavor is significantly better than store bought. This is very important to people who want to cook and eat as healthy as possible. Chickens also generate droppings that can be reused as natural fertilizer within vegetable gardens and flower beds.

Right now, everyone has noticed the price of eggs nearly doubling. Part of that is due to the avian flu wiping out large flocks in the south and on the east coast (avian flu is rarely a concern in small coops). While you can’t really save much money with backyard hens if you tally up all the costs of the coop, hens and feed, you can have higher quality eggs for about the same cost as store bought. And because of the ongoing bird flu pressure, a secondary objective of backyard hens is a little bit of food security if the large flock bird flu problem persists or spreads and egg prices continue to rise.

After making some inquiries to Havre city councilors, I learned that a group had advocated for urban hens in 2015, but did not like the compromise proposal the city offered, so the effort went nowhere. The Havre City Council proposal at that time was similar to ordinance elements in the City of Billings code (#12-5580). The first five elements are common to all cities in Montana that allow urban hens. The last three are the ones proponents found objectionable in Havre.

• Up to six hens

• No roosters

• Must have a chicken coop and run (includes requirements)

• Chickens must be shut in at night

• Must not be in front yard

  • Annual permit from the city is required

• Coops and runs must be aesthetically pleasing

• Neighbors on all sides must provide written approval of their consent

Proponents found those last three to be too restrictive. Because they didn’t like the compromise, and because some opponents began complaining in the two weeks prior to the vote, the councilors voted 5-2 against the measure. I do understand why that last item might be viewed as unreasonably restrictive, since it’s effectively allowing someone else veto authority over what you do in your own yard. Either the city allows chickens or it doesn’t, but it shouldn’t be contingent on whether neighbors approve or not. That would be like the city saying you’re not allowed to have a dog if one of your neighbors doesn’t like dogs.

At the April 3, 2023, City Council meeting, during the open public portion at the end, I stood and respectfully requested the council to reconsider the ordinance. There was no discussion by the councilors, nor did they ask any questions or offer any advice regarding a process to do so. So now it’s time to take the matter up with fellow citizens who are also interested in revisiting this issue. If you support urban hens in Havre, there are four actions you can take:

1. Sign the online petition at Change.org, https://chng.it/d8tdwMdx7S .

2. Share the petition link with as many other Havre residents as you can via email or social media.

3. Contact your city councilors and let them know you are in favor of urban hens.

4. Attend the May 1, 2023, meeting of the Havre City Council to show support.

That’s it. Let’s see if we can work together to generate some positive grassroots support for this reasonable and timely change in Havre city ordinances.

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Al Garver, Havre