Council pecks away at chicken issue

Pine Haven Mayor Karla Brandenburg shared the council's objective in hosting a public meeting last Tuesday evening: "What we're here to accomplish is for the council to see what kind of support or not support we have for urban chickens to be allowed in Pine Haven."

As the situation will, if eventually approved, only affect those in town, the mayor limited those who spoke to municipal residents. Even with said restriction, many of the around 50 present took time to present their opinions in an orderly manner and Brandenburg read several others that had been sent in via email.

Those who advocated for the feathered flocks were of two camps: those who want to actually raise poultry for their households referred to the ever-rising price and low quality of eggs from the supermarkets and those who advocated the right of homeowners to decide for themselves what to do on their own land.

One such voice was from Tate and Jenny Chetfield: "My household's all for chickens in town, not roosters, I know this is something that a lot of us want – at least the option to have them if so desired; times are hard and to have the opportunity to raise some of our own food on the land that we own would sure be appreciated."

However, there were residents on the other side of the issue just as adamant about not allowing chickens in town. One such statement came from Al and Cindy Wessle: "We bought our place in town instead of acreage so we wouldn't have to deal with farm animals near us."

Another was from Chuck and Myrna Tesch: "We do not want to see the Pine Haven Town Council pass an ordinance...allowing chickens in yards. Most of the lots in Pine Haven are very small, chickens need lots of space, chickens become food for the wild animals in our area..."

The potential problem of cleanliness, coop integrity and other maintenance issues was discussed as an inevitable aspect of owners who, like some dog owners now, will not take proper care of this responsibility and force enforcement of associated ordinances, which will, in turn, cost the town's residents more money. All concerned agree that there must be regulation regarding backyard chickens.

Jim Packard noted the acceptance of urban chickens by many surrounding municipalities with varying regulations including Gillette, Sundance, Buffalo, Sheridan and Newcastle, WY.

He also spoke to the concern regarding skunks and raccoons following the fowl, saying, "There are only going to be a few families in town who have a handful of chickens [and] if you're honestly telling me that a few dozen more chickens in town are going to bring in more vermin than the turkeys and whatever other critters we have already...it doesn't make sense to me...I don't believe they'll bring any more vermin in than people who leave dog and cat food out."

Wade Dennis with the Crook County Predator Control District spoke at length regarding the possible increase of predation within town limits because of the poultry living in such confined quarters.

"I have concerns about these costs. Our board is funded by our tax payers; we try to operate as efficiently as possible...historically, we've seen our district have to deal with coyotes on ranches, [but] in the last five to ten years, in subdivisions (small acreage scenarios), we're seeing an increase in calls [to dispose of predators] and that has resulted in [increased cost of] about ten percent of our budget," he said.

"I have no clue about how many calls we would get from you folks [if] you get chickens. We're willing to do it as part of our statutory duties; if you have a predator problem, we will address it."

Dennis assured town residents, though, that if they develop a predator problem due to the chickens, it will very likely cost to the taxpayers a minimum of $200 per issue for his people to deal with the hungry omnivores that have found an easy meal, with an average resolution costing $1000.

With 20% of the district's budget coming from beef and wool producers in the county and 80% from the state, "If there are an increased number of calls here, our district will probably...come to the town for a little bit of help. There were other cities referenced tonight that pay their county predator control board to help them deal."

As this was a meeting simply to gather information, no decision was made.

"The council will talk about it after tonight," the mayor explained, "And at the April 11 meeting, if one of the council wish to make a motion about the chicken, that's when that [decision] will be made. If no one brings it up, I'm going to guess it's a dead issue."

This is not the first time the question of chickens in town has been raised, Brandenburg recalled sitting on the council six years ago when the motion was made and voted down based not only on the people who spoke at the meetings, but also the opinions shared on a list signed by other members of the community.

"It was equal, for and against. I don't know where it would be if everyone in town voted, but I would guess this is a pretty good representation," she said.

For those who want to voice their choice on either side of this argument and affect any vote made later, a similar document is available at town hall until April 11.