Assistant Editor Jerry Lindsey wrote this essay.
The issue of raising live chickens within the Morrison City Limits created conversation and ignited emotions, at the recent Morrison City Council meeting held on Monday, February 13, 2023. Every contributing Council member offered their opinion and personal feelings, toward the possibility of Morrison allowing the raising of chickens within the local environment. After much mental meshing and sharing of–often controversial–opinions, the discussion ended with only one clear element being established.
Adequate education related to raising chickens was limited, and all parties involved lacked a true understanding of the task being considered.
With that being established, a few suggestions and references of outside expertise are offered. My hope is to consolidate the thinking and proceed with logical calm, with a goal to resolve the conflict in the best interests of the community.
As people left the farms for a more “modern” lifestyle, many wanted to leave all farming behind. They wanted no reminders of their past lifestyle living right next door. Chickens were thought to be kept by poor farm families. They had no place in modern society!
Times have changed, and thinking has turned around on this issue. Sadly, the laws are slower to change. Keep in mind, that we are dealing with individuals from varying backgrounds. Many will have no idea of the care involved in keeping backyard chickens, and they may confuse the idea with a large poultry operation.
Diving into a controversial issue without adequate education and agreement on the challenges and rewards can often result in more negatives than positives for all involved.
To name a few, some issues involved in chicken raising include:
How many chickens are allowed
Definition of proper housing
Setbacks from property lines
Permits and license requirements
Allowances of other animals
Approval of neighbors
Planning and Zoning regulations
Allowable size of containment
Monitoring enforcement agency
Inclusion of bantam chickens
Inspection process
Length of Permit
Health concerns of chickens
Manure management
Benefits to the community.
Decisions made on raising chickens–without some of the above-mentioned issues being defined–seems to be putting the cart ahead of the horse. It also clouds the possibilities of success.
The “homesteading” movement and “clean eating” trend have brought the subject of raising your own food to the forefront. The opportunity to bring fresh eggs from backyard hens to the tables in Morrison may be a positive movement.
But action without clarity appears to only divide a community, instead of adding an attractive incentive for possible growth and pride of ownership throughout the area.
Raising chickens within the City limits is anticipated to appear on the Agenda of the next [Monday, February 27,] City Council Meeting with action forecasted.
Citizens living within the Morrison City limits with opinions about this proposed Ordinance should contact their Aldermen.
Ward 1
Gregory Kruse, 779-245-3287, gkruse@morrisonil.org
Sidonna Mahaffey, 815-768-7996, smahaffey@morrisonil.org
Ward 2
Mick Welding, 815-772-8024, mwelding@morrisonil.org
Harvey Zuidema, 815-772-3084, hzuidema@morrisonil.org
Ward 3
Vernon Tervelt, 815-772-3090, vtervelt@morrisonil.org
Josh West, 815-499-4556, jwest@morrisonil.org
Ward 4
Arlyn Deets, 815-772-4972, adeets@morrisonil.org
Kevin Bruckner, Jr., 815-718-5570, kbruckner@morrisonil.org