I would recommend looking at the Ordinances that authorize general enforcement powers for the board of health. Where is this power derived from, and under what standards must be met for them to prohibit, mandate, or enforce any regulation.

They might have a problem factually/scientifically supporting their restriction, and if such is the case . . .well . . .it might be worth looking into.

I am interested why people have voted "no" on this. My husband and I, as well as some neighbors of ours, take this seriously and have written the town.

Hey Jeff! Where can I get a shirt like yours?! LOL!

If you support this cause please contact the New Milford Board of Health and let them know how you feel. They are the only ones who can change the ordinance. Thank you to those who have already.

Raise geese! Their eggs are bigger and the BOH doesn't care that they crap all over town.

Great job Jeff......The town is wrong.....just keep fighting.

http://www.woodlotfarms.com/

Raising backyard chickens

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1vJI8k_lQ4

NO city, town, or person has the right to tell you, you can't raise a chicken hen. While in these same towns, owning and raising dogs is legal. 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs every year in the USA, mostly children on the face. In the U.S. in the last 10 years there has been over 1,500 mailings and over 250 people have been killed by dogs. 16.6% of people attacked by dogs perish from there injuries.

Chickens are not the problem.

http://www.americanhumane.org/animals/stop-animal-abuse/fact-sheets/dog-bites.html

One thing I'm pretty sure of is there is virtually no reason your City can't draft an ordinance allowing chickens. What is the specific language and citation number of the ordinance or rule that is being applied against you? Hope it went well in court today.

I would give serious consideration to looking into the Constitutional aspects here, it is an unsupportable infringement on your right to liberty and the quiet enjoyment of your premises and property.

CHANGE the ordinance NOW!

This will open up a pandora's box if this person is allowed to keep chickens. Why then not allow farm animals such as cows and goats. One could argue that one wants to have fresh milk and make cheese. Let's see if all of those who see nothing wrong with having chickens would like the sound of a goat or cow coming from their next door neighbor. One must look at the bigger picture,

I cannot beleive that this homeowner is so adament....go move to another town that allows this...

Also, I would like to see if the folks who see nothing wrong with having chickens would like the stench emanating into their backyards on a hot summer day ....and of course, the animals do have an odor...who are we kidding?

Comparing a 2 pound chicken hen to a cow or goat is just silly.
That is why hens work perfect on smaller properties.

AML you must look at the bigger picture.

The second you start raising chicken hens you lower your families carbon footprint. The practice of urban homesteading and raising chicken hens has a POSITIVE effect on the local environment.

AML, The "Pandoras Box" theory is a myth. For starters what Jeffrey said above. Further . . .there is a rather significant difference between a 7 pound chicken and a 1000+ pound. One must look at the bigger picture. I have over 70 birds, and there is no "stench" . . .at all. If for some reason an irresponsible homeowner was keeping in a manner that created "Stench" it could be dealt with via general ordinances that would also be applied to ANY situation creating a stench, like someone piling garbage on their porch or whatever.

Ya simply do NOT restrict peoples liberty based on myths and misconceptions, or even what could happen. Folks COULD drive recklessly too, but ya don't deny everyone the right based on what a few might do. THIS is the "bigger picture."

Can we raise quail? Quail eggs are all the rage on the food cooking shows. Seriously, let the man have his few chickens. As someone said if the stench were to get bad there are ordinances for that.

In many locations, you would still need three acres or even five to raise even a single five ounce quail. And Bizarrely . . .there are officials who would argue against you and be able to keep a straight face while doing it, heheh.