Chicken Law Considered For Westwood
Borough officials said at least 36 properties are already used for raising chickens.
Westwood officials are considering creating rules for raising chickens because there are already at least 36 properties in the borough with the birds, Councilman Ray Arroyo said Tuesday.
The borough has received some complaints about properties with chickens, Arroyo said, but the zoning officer has not taken any action because there is currently no law. Mayor John Birkner also said one resident had brought concerns to him that they could attract rodents.
"If we introduce this to the public, I expect some feathers to fly," Arroyo said.
The practice of raising chickens for eggs and meat has become increasingly popular in recent years as part of the sustainability and homesteading movements, but the practice remains outlawed in some towns.
Arroyo suggested Tuesday that the future ordinance could mirror those passed in other area towns, which limit the number of chickens and require minimum lot sizes for the birds to be allowed. The practice of raising chickens in the borough would be overseen by both zoning laws and the Board of Health, he said.
Councilman Peter Grefrath said the Board of Health had also already discussed the issue at a recent meeting.
Arroyo said he expected officials could get some backlash from chicken owners over the law.
"It's contentious," Arroyo said. "They want to raise their chickens."
Do you raise chickens in Westwood? What do you think should be allowed? Share your thoughts below.
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Wally Van Riper
11:36 am on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Just another way to take more of your money.
Hannah
11:36 am on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Westwood should not condone or pass any legislation allowing it's residents to raise/keep chickens for their eggs or flesh. Chickens have complex social orders and require space, fresh air, and lots of care and love, all of which are difficult to provide in a suburb of the city. Westwood should not pass any laws allowing this to happen.
Ceili Brennan
11:11 pm on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Chickens do not need too much love. They need respect, but they are some of the least personable animals I've encountered. Also, Westwood does not need to pass laws allowing people to raise chickens, as it already happens and there are no laws against it. Raising chickens in ones suburban backyard is among the most socially, economically, and ecologically responsible things to do at this time, in my opinion. I would bet that the eggs and meat that the local super markets provide to most Westwood residents come from chickens that are far less cared for and loved than the chickens raised in Westwood's backyards.
PeterB
2:14 pm on Thursday, February 21, 2013
"Suburb of the city" --- I hope you don't consider Bergen County a suburb of NYC. We are NJ not NY and if you want rules for the "suburb of the city" move to Staten Island.
Victor Alfieri
1:57 pm on Friday, March 1, 2013
"Chickens have complex social orders and require space, fresh air, and lots of care and love," Yes All True
But This Statement "all of which are difficult to provide in a suburb of the city."
is completely wrong.
If what you are saying is true. Why is it legal to raise chickens in NY City and Brooklyn NY? In New York City, NY. Chickens are considered pets under the Health Code. Unlimited number of hens allowed. Or these other places.
Wayne NJ, Franklin Lakes, NJ - Totowa, NJ, Paramus, NJ, Oakland, NJ, Mahwah, NJ Wyckoff, NJ, Kinnelon, NJ, Ridgewood, NJ, Jersey City, NJ, Montclair, NJ
New York, NY City - Brooklyn, NY, St. Louis, MO - Kansas City, MO, Madison, Wisconsin - Charlotte, NC Denver, CO - Little Rock, AR, Anaheim, CA - Berkely, CA, North Little Rock, AK - Los Angeles, CA Oakland, CA - San Jose, CA
Santa Rosa, CA - San Francisco, CA, San Diego, CA - Miami, FL, Colorado Springs, CO - New Haven CT. Stamford, CT - Washington D.C, St. Petersburg, FL - Atlanta, GA, Wake Forest, NC .......... just to name a few.
Sheryl Scherba
12:53 pm on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
as a voice for the voiceless - there is no humane way to "raise chickens" for their eggs or flesh. I am not in favor of allowing the residents of Westwood to be allowed to "raise chickens"
Westwood Resident
8:23 am on Thursday, February 21, 2013
Well I'm glad it's not up to you to decide, "there is no humane way to "raise chickens" for their eggs or flesh.", and you think the chicken that you are buying at the store is humanly raised, either you are a crack pot or a vegetarian. there is nothing wrong with raising chickens in a wooded suburb like Westwood as long as there are no roosters, they are the ones that make noise, not the hens.
Sheryl Scherba
10:34 am on Thursday, February 21, 2013
for the record, i am not a crackpot and it saddens me that you have to resort to name calling - i was just expressing my opinion on this open forum. I believe that the chickens raised in the backyards of Westwood residents would most certainly be better off than in the factory farms of America - but it is my belief that there is no need to eat chickens or their eggs and am taking the opportunity to share my opinion.
Heather B
12:09 pm on Thursday, February 21, 2013
Sheryl - I do not understand how eating the eggs hurts the chickens. In most backyard coops there are no roosters, therefor the eggs are not fertilized and will never become baby chicks. I have seen many backyard (suburban) coops and the chickens have plenty of space, the coops are clean, they are often left to roam the yard for hours during the day, and they are given fresh food in addition to regular chicken feed. They also eat whatever suits them while they are roaming (bugs, grass, ect.) People tend to treat their backyard laying hens more like pets than livestock.
Wally Van Riper
1:12 pm on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Chickens are used to make Buffalo wings. That's all that matters about their social order.
Gary Conkling
4:08 pm on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
More Rules. Can I get a cow?
Louise Miller
2:14 pm on Thursday, February 21, 2013
Gary - I do think there IS a law prohibiting "Hooved" Animals in town :). Good thing too, my wonderful husband wants a goat so he won't need to mow the lawn - lol! Seriously though - isn't this a matter for the Health Department if the chickens are not cared for properly (like not being cleaned up after & creating a risk to the neighborhood)? I wasn't even aware there were any chickens in town until I saw this article. Too much...
Cecilia Brennan
11:11 pm on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
We have 4 chickens. They are treated very well. They have the ability to free range in our backyard a few hours daily and the rest of the time they are in a spacious, movable coop. They eat kitchen scraps and organic chicken feed that we buy at the local Grain Supply. We get about 4 eggs per day. We are happy, the chickens are happy. I have never seen a rodent near the coop. I am sure there are bigger fish to fry in Westwood.
Jason Feinman
11:11 pm on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
It is an inalienable right of property ownership to enjoyment of the property. Good for those home owners. Lord knows how they have gotten rid of all the farms that were once here. It's disgraceful. People should have that right with some conditions.
Glenn M. Muller
8:23 am on Thursday, February 21, 2013
Rules! Rules! We need more rules! Welcome to Westwood, check your freedom at the door!
Gary Conkling
8:23 am on Thursday, February 21, 2013
My wife thought I was crazy when I was going to get some chickens last year. That is until she had some fresh ones from someone who has chickens at home.
The council should be working on the real problems in town.
Sharon Haimes Schmidt
9:46 am on Thursday, February 21, 2013
Enough already. When Westwood starts enforcing all the other ordinances and laws in place then they can go after the chickens because the only one that will win are the attorneys.
scruffy
5:40 pm on Friday, February 22, 2013
I am with you Sharon. When Westwood starts enforcing the laws we already have on the books it can add more. Drive down any street in Westwood and there are enough Zoning violations to be enforced. However that would require the officials in charge to do just that. Cars parked on front lawns, trailers parked in driveways for years never moved. Work being done on houses with no permits. Houses unkepmt outside, etc. How about cleaning up the enforcement act before adding on more that won't happen.
As for the chickens come out with some standards that are for the health of them and I am all for it. Banning altogether won't work. So find the happy medium for all.
Barry Black
9:59 am on Thursday, February 21, 2013
When enough people start to raise chickens, then invariably some will escape and roam the streets. The you won't know whether you're in Westwood or Santo Domingo!!!
Heather B
12:09 pm on Thursday, February 21, 2013
I'd rather have an escaped chicken roaming the streets than an escaped dog, at least a chicken peck to the ankle will not land me in the ER like a dog bite may. And Hens are much quieter neighbors than dogs, and they create no more droppings or smells than dogs when properly cared for.
Nicholas Pallatta
9:59 am on Thursday, February 21, 2013
The chickens will fit in well with the bodega on Washington Ave
Pete
10:31 am on Thursday, February 21, 2013
Nicholas, do you prefer white chickens, too, or just people?
Nicholas Pallatta
12:09 pm on Thursday, February 21, 2013
Just making an observation. .if I had wanted to be racist I would have hid behind my first name only :)
Pete
8:19 am on Friday, February 22, 2013
Why don't you tell us, then, how chickens would fit in with the bodega?
Pauline
12:09 pm on Thursday, February 21, 2013
No more rules, please. Home owners should have the right to raise chickens as long as they don't roam & are treated well.
kelly manheimer
12:09 pm on Thursday, February 21, 2013
chickens fertilize soil and keep control over insects. but I guess if you don't want chickens there's always Monsanto.
Neil A. Young
2:14 pm on Thursday, February 21, 2013
Rodents should not be a problem and to pass an ordinance based on perceived complaints are asinine.
If there are concerns, the town should contact the county extension agent or the 4H program for knowledge.
Westwood Neighbor
2:14 pm on Thursday, February 21, 2013
Westwood has a noise law. What if the rooster crows too early in the morning? LOL
My neighbors raise chickens. No problem. But I would not want a dozen roosters next door. A limit is a good idea.
Thomas Constantine
2:14 pm on Thursday, February 21, 2013
My son TJ has cared for the Brennan chickens while they are away and has gained a great appreciation and experience on caring for the chickens. I too have learned about the chickens and raising them from the Brennan's. The fresh eggs are delicious and are a healthy source of protein for us.
Gary Conkling
2:20 pm on Thursday, February 21, 2013
If they are specialty chickens then they would be allowed in WW. Cannot have everyday chickens. Zoning regulations only allow Brick chicken coops with awnings.
Must register your chickens with health dept. Must have fire inspector check coop for alarms. No two family chicken coops. If chickens are renting you need a variance
Common Cents
9:43 pm on Friday, February 22, 2013
You forgot about the co or cco if there is a resident change. Don't forget about enough parking on premises if visitors come to see the chickens. If by some remote chance a chick is hatched , the BOH will come over and see that your are caring properly for the chick. The building department will come to make sure there is enough nests per bird. And forget it if a late night early morning party crashing takes place by let's say a four legged critter. The fox hunt may be on! Now the excuse for needing a full police staff after 11pm will be justified.
kathleen
8:19 am on Friday, February 22, 2013
Why did the chicken cross the road? Clearly there were some weeds, insects, slugs or maybe even a small mouse or snake to eat!
This debate over backyard chickens is something close to my heart. My neighbor the Brennan's have chickens. It is through their son that I have become so open and willing to raise some chickens of my own some day. I have brought my neice and my friends kids over to see these chickens. The conversations and questions that the kids have are always great. As I thought all day how I was going to respond I was reminded of some of those great memories. My favorite was the argument between three siblings who was going to eat the ONE egg that they harvested from the coop during their visit. Their mom solved the problem by making a scrambled egg in which each child got their one third of the share.
Knowing that this wasn't enough to convince or persuade people who have not experienced backyard chicken's I did some research.
During World War I and II the Federal Government encouraged people to plant Victory Gardens to be self sufficient, patriotic and not waste valuable resources. As I see it, I often hear complaints that the government is taking to much care of people in need. Maybe the government should again encourage citizens to do their patriotic duty to be self sufficient.
kathleen
8:19 am on Friday, February 22, 2013
Chickens help eliminate the need for herbicides, pesticides and fertilizers. This is great news for our water supply. To comment to the citizen who was concerned about rodents, chickens have been known to eat small mice and snakes. If that is your only concern you may want to research some more.
Westwood is a wonderful place to live. I would hate to see our Council mirror other towns ordinances on chickens. I hope that the leadership here will take the lead and do what is best for our community.
Lastly, when I was growing up thirty years ago the kitchen table was the social gathering in my house. Meals made, shared, homework completed as we sat as a family and discussed our day. This is missing in many homes now. Having chickens could open the door to family bonding. Caring for the chickens and using their eggs can be a family affair. We need to get back to basics as a society to help solve problems. Meeting together to care and learn about these simple yet life sustaining birds could make the world a better place.
Laura
12:47 pm on Friday, February 22, 2013
Guess I was ahead of my time. Raised chickens in the mid 50s and the neighbors loved it!
William Lang
4:48 pm on Saturday, February 23, 2013
There is a simple way to control the chicken issue...we can build a Chicken run down at Westvale Park and allow the chickens to run free and play with other chickens and keep them out residential neighborhoods...another win-win would be for the chicken owners to rent the now empty (non taxpaying) lots in the flood zone and put their chicken coops there and keep them away from neighbors that do not want chickens as neighbors...
Gary Conkling
11:36 pm on Saturday, February 23, 2013
Great idea!! But who will pay for the lights so the chickens can play at night?
Felicia Brockner
6:57 pm on Sunday, February 24, 2013
When we had our chickens it was such a great learning experience for my kids, they watched them grow from little chicks. If people take care of their chickens properly they make great pets. We loved our chickens and can't wait until we get more. (The eggs were another added perk).
21st century concerned citizen
6:57 pm on Sunday, February 24, 2013
Makes Westwood look like a 3rd world country town. Having Chickens should outlawed in Westwood. We have a very large concentration of residential housing in a small geographic area. This is not farmland.
Heather B
7:34 pm on Sunday, February 24, 2013
Do you wish to outlaw vegetable gardens too, how about fruit trees, let's just pave the whole place or cover it with lawns (which are terrible for the environment btw). Many residential towns and cities allow the raising of chickens. They are no more of a health hazard than dogs and cats, and you get the benefit of their eggs. If you knew the squalid and inhumane conditions that commercial chickens were raised in you would never buy your eggs from a store again. Look up CAFO's (confined animal feedlot operations) Scary stuff.
Pete
9:56 am on Monday, February 25, 2013
Self-sufficiency and sustainability is supposed to be what the 21st-century first world is all about. There are far denser communities where people responsibly take care of many more of their own needs. The (still rather low) level of density here affords us lots of great opportunities to make the most of the space we have.
Victor Alfieri
1:44 pm on Friday, March 1, 2013
21st century concerned citizen you need to elaborate on your statement.
Please explain why you believe this to be true. How chickens will "Makes Westwood look like a 3rd world country town". What proof do you have that this will occur?
Pat McKENNA
8:42 am on Monday, February 25, 2013
How in the world does a chicken make Westwood look like a 3rd world country? A chicken is certainly easier on the ears then a barking dog. Plus they control weeds and insects, and fertilize the lawn. If, heavens forbid, a few get loose, they know exactly which house to return to once dusk comes - better then some kids!
Westwood Hens
1:38 pm on Monday, February 25, 2013
I live in Westwood and we have four hens in our backyard. They aren't noisy nor do they smell. We have no rodent issues either. They have a secure corner of our backyard to roam and are treated well. You wouldn't even know they were in our yard unless we told you. Having hens will not turn Westwood into a Third World town. We live here for the same reason as the rest of you, because we love our little town and find it to be a great place to raise our family. I agree with the others here who have said that there are ordinances already on the books that are not being enforced. The town should work on enforcing those laws before they come for our chickens.
Victor Alfieri
1:38 pm on Friday, March 1, 2013
Hello, I'm a Urban Homesteading Expert in Wayne NJ. After a 3 year fight with my town, I won the right to own and raise chickens. Every American should have this right. I would like to help in any way I can, are any groups forming?
my website
http://www.woodlotfarms.com/Home_Page.html
http://www.woodlotfarms.com/Calender.html
Danielle Sammarco-Bortz
5:06 pm on Saturday, March 2, 2013
If we are serious about a long term strategic "Green/Sustainability" vision for our Community we should support raising chickens.
We have 1) a Pascack Sustainability Group 2) an Environmental Advisory Committee 3) We just hosted our 4th annual "Green Screen" which all address sustainability issues we are confronted with not only in our Community but in the world. It is nice to have all of these Groups and Committees in place but now we need to step up and be a part of that change.
Frances L Parise
11:23 pm on Monday, March 4, 2013
Fran Parise
I have 4 beautiful, contented and loved chickens. My granddaughter named them and runs races with them and has tons of fun. They have a clean coop (daily) and a clean 10'x40' run. I asked each of my surrounding neighbors if they would allow me to have chickens and I check with them all regulary to see if they are a bother. NO one has ever complained. Food is kept in a metal can, coop is bleached and scrubed once a month. Pets with a benefit --eggs.