Chickens may become lawful backyard pets for Kenai residents after Wednesday’s council meeting.
“I’m so excited,” Nancy Schrag said. “I first heard about backyard chickens from people in Portland (Ore.), and I thought, ‘Oh my gosh, cities let you have them ... why can’t Kenai?’”
If the ordinance sponsored by Council Member Mike Boyle passes, it will allow Kenai residents to raise no more than 12 chickens on their properties within city limits for non-commercial uses.
Schrag said she is excited because the ordinance’s passage would allow her to produce fresh eggs. That is something she has wanted to do for a long time, she said.
“I’m all into being as self-sustainable as possible and want a community that’s as self-sustainable as possible, because that makes it more resilient to outside factors,” she said.
Schrag said Kenai residents already supply themselves locally with a lot of their meat through fishing and hunting, so eggs would be a great addition.
Kenai Feeds Owner Sarah Donchi said she has only heard support for the ordinance. No one has complained to her.
“The biggest thing would be if someone had a rooster that was making noise,” she said.
The ordinance does not allow for the ownership of roosters in city limits, however.
“I know they passed it in Anchorage a while back; I heard a lot of good things about that,” she said.
When Boyle was researching the idea he said he found that many other cities — Manhattan, Juneau — also allow the raising of chickens within city limits, so he wondered: Why not Kenai?
“It just seems like a practical thing, and I’m really actually pleasantly surprised that it’s more popular an idea that I even thought it would be,” he said.
If council members pass the ordinance, city residents can begin their chicken operations as soon as Dec. 21.
“I’m really hoping that enough support is shown that this ordinance goes through and becomes law,” Schrag said.
The council will meet at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Kenai City Hall, 210 Fidalgo Ave.
Dan Schwartz can be reached at daniel.schwartz@penininsulaclarion.com.
Comments (11)
Add commentThe Roosters are not going to be happy!!
I can see it now, a group of roosters are going to join together and hire an attorney and file suit over this..... this could get very ugly!!! :)
The bears are going to be happy!!
Sounds like a great way to attract brownies to your yard.
Mike Boyle has nothing else
Mike Boyle has nothing else better to do?
It's about time!!!
A huge thank you to Councilman Boyle for listening to the people you represent! I cannot wait to build a coop and enjoy fresh eggs!
Isn't it remarkable
...that the Kenai City code already provides a process for property owners to have chickens? What a waste of time and political grandstanding.
Cool
I will be the first to buy eggs from you!
Why the need for a new law.
Why the need for a new law. One already exists to allow if appropriate. Sounds like more grandstanding by Boyle although no one could ever find a egg laid in his yard. He should get a couple of goats.
The current code for chickens
The current code for chickens only allow if you have 40,000 sq/ft (almost an acre) or more. Most large cities these days allow chickens on lots as small as 4350 sq/ft. A huge majority of property owners in Kenai that want chickens fall into the less than 40,000 sq/ft category. Sorry if you have to listen to the occasional "cluck" from my chickens; just be thankful the city won't allow me to own roosters. A huge kudos to Mr. Boyle!!!
It's really very simple
Any property owner can apply for a conditional use permit no matter what size lot if they would like to have chickens.
Bear Bait
I am all for chix, ducks, goats, whatever floats your boat, but it should come with the caveat that enclosures must be bear proof...as in, electric fencing! Otherwise, don't let your kids out to gather eggs. Do it with a .44mag. Seen it, done it, been there. Bear got my beloved goat.
PS: Do you all know that folks who are allergic to chix eggs can eat duck eggs all they want? Look it up if you don't believe me. Duck eggs are delicious. Plus, they store a really long time. They make the BEST Fried Egg Sandwiches! And you don't need water to raise ducks. They don't need a pond or a pool.
Kardinals
Kenai is the Home of the Kardinals --- having a few RED chickens free and running around town would be a good thing. It would feel like Homecoming every week!