AFTER ALL THIS IS OKLAHOMA

Tecumseh council takes no action on chicken ordinance

The Tecumseh city council considered an ordinance Monday night to allow residents up to four backyard chickens, but there were concerns about some of the wording in the proposal, so no action was taken.

 1

By Kim Morava 
Posted Jun. 3, 2014 @ 8:00 am 

The Tecumseh city council considered an ordinance Monday night to allow residents up to four backyard chickens, but there were concerns about some of the wording in the proposal, so no action was taken.

Vice-Mayor Linda Praytor, who has been a proponent of the chicken issue, was among those worried about it allowing, as worded, ducks, geese, turkeys, guineas and pigeons in town. Another area also called for a limitation of eight chickens for those in agriculture-zoned areas, for which Praytor was against.

And while there was much talk about chickens at this and two previous meetings, Mayor Eddy Parker said, “I don’t think we’ve seen an ordinance as much fun as this.”

And while the mayor said he had received calls against such an issue, “you’re always gong to have a mixed review,” he said.

But he agreed with Praytor that those zoned for agricultural, meaning those with five acres or more, shouldn’t have a limit of eight chickens.

Councilor Linda Farris was concerned about the possibility of feral chickens after seeing a TV show about problems in Miami, Fla.

The council discussed that those residences in town zoned R-1 could have chickens if they have the space as outlined in the proposed ordinance, which would be about three lots that are 75 feet by 150 feet. But there was some discussion how some residential lots zoned R-1 that aren’t big enough, so because of that, there was confusion amongst a few in attendance on whether they would be eligible or not.

As discussion continued, Praytor said there are some people worried about chickens because of the waste they can produce, but she said the waste of four chickens in one day is the same as the waste of one dog.

Praytor, who said she feels like she’s the only one fighting for chickens, said they are productive animals. Four to five backyard chickens would produce about 120 eggs for a family each month, she said.

Read more: http://www.news-star.com/article/20140602/News/140609941#ixzz33jgOSmLo