The Public Safety cmte voted to take the recommendations to the full city council next month. They'll discuss the possibility of allowing up to 6 chickens (no roosters) in town. Two of the 4 on the cmte said they were against it but would take it to the full council. We need supporters to contact the Councilmen and gather information.

This is a good idea, especially for those who prefer farm eggs to store bought eggs. I hope it passes for those living in city limits.

I would like to have a couple hens to give the kids a chore to perform.

Don't understand, why would this have to go to the cmte? (or city council) to have a chicken. what is the difference having a dog or cat than a chicken? You get more out of chicken, than a dog or cat.

Chickens, pigs, horses, goats and cows are legally considered livestock and not pets, so are covered by different sets of regulations.

Rather have a chicken running lose, than a dog! !

Yes, a loose chicken makes far better soup than cats and dogs. Jking.

And they eat grasshoppers!

Glad to see some support out there. I asked the cmte to remove "chickens" from the prohibited animals list and make an ordinance with the parameters. Many cities have changed their ordinances to allow "urban chickens".

Can we get ducks included on this since they are in the fowl family?

Ducks were not specifically addressed other than the ones on the pond at the golf course.

I hope it said they were a-holes, since they are some a-holes.

Is that going to include South Gate. As there not in the city limits

Just found out the Council will vote on the chicken ordinance at the NEXT meeting (Tues. May 24). I hope they will move it since it's the same night as CCDHS graduation! If anyone feels they can support up to 6 hens w/in city limits, please attend or contact the Councilmen by phone or letter. You can also email me a letter that I will include. Thanks!

This Animal Control ordinance only applies within city limits. If you live outside the limit, I think you can have chickens. I'd recommend checking w/ your neighbors first.

korky II-Southgate is city limits.

Call them hens, not chickens, and I'll bet you get a lot further. Look up major metropolises that allow hens. Even Seattle does, so I don't see any reason why Miles City shouldn't.

Seattle and Missoula allow 8 hens, Bozeman 4-15, Kalispell 15, SLC, Mesa(AZ), L.A., San Diego, Portland(OR and ME), Denver, Albuquerque and lots of others all allow hens. In New York city you are allowed as many hens as you want. It's funny there would even be an issue in Miles City, MONTANA!!! I worry the handful of residents that oppose will be the ones to draw the most attention. Please contact the City Council if you support it!

Allowing city residents to raise hens for both eggs and meat in Miles City should be a unanimous YES! Chickens are fun, productive, useful and can make pretty good pets too. I personally think you should also allow Turkeys as well in a limited amount as they love people , and can literally die of broken hearts if by themselves, lay huge delicious eggs, and, like chickens, serve dual purpose and do not scratch ground like chickens but are equally adept at controlling insects and grasshoppers included. Most individuals or families interested in Chickens or Turkeys have already researched what type of housing and care they require. But, if any help is needed, look online for Grit Magazine's Community Chcken enews, or Mother Earth News online archives. Both have great advice on everything you will need to know including which breeds to pick, shelters, etcetera.

I agree that hen chickens should be allowed,mostly in urban areas, but do make sure to exclude, Peacocks, their call will drive you crazy.

I also agree and support that chickens should be allowed here in Miles city. Will you also please post here the decision of the city council. Thanks.

I agree. Allow the chickens, and hopefully council members check this site out on occasion.

Allow chickens!

Raising a few chickens wil give a whole new context to flavor in eggs and chicken. My mother raised chickens for years. In Bozeman in the 30's and 40's Many people raised chickens anand rabbits in their back yards. Samonella out breaks were unheard of. In those days people knew how to keep the chicken pens clean and how to butcher them properly. Here's to a self-sustaining community.

This is a great oppurtunity to show our support on this issue. Raising hens is something that can help connect kids with self sustaining hobbies. I know for sure that hens will be quiter than dogs and not nearly as difficult to clean up after. Let people raise their own eggs if they want to. Food prices are only going up! Someone please post time and place of the meeting and I will be there.

While penning the legislation to allow certain numbers of hens the council should stipulate whether they can get rained on or not. LOL
Free range chickens must have a rough life.

Salmonella can be found in all kinds of food, not just eggs. The last outbreak linked directly to eggs was in 2010 but the incidence of salmonella infection has actually declined over the last 40 years according to the CDC. I don't really think that anyone can really comment on the state of food poisoning in the 1930s when there was a lack of good tracking and reporting requirements. What most people don't realize is that when you have the "stomach flu" it is most likely a mild case of food poisoning.

Please attend the City Council meeting tomorrow night (May 24) at 7pm. Unfortunately that's at the same time as CCDHS Graduation! I have provided copies of the City Ordinances regarding Urban Chickens from Bozeman, Missoula, Kalispel and Laramie, WY to the Councilmen and Mayor. Please call your Ward Rep as well to let him know you support an ordinance allowing hens. Except for 2 Councilmen and 2 Gentlemen attending the Public Safety mtg (to complain about barking dogs)I've only had a positive response from everyone I've talked to. Of course we all know how the Silent Majority works, don't let the minority dictate our City Ordinances!

If anyone missed the article in the Billings Gazette about the proposed Urban Chicken ordinance in Billings, here's the link. What perfect timing!!!

http://billingsgazette.com/news/local/article_d843c4cd-0e09-53bd-8efc-c86f67d8ae49.html

I am very much in support of chickens being allowed in city limits in Miles City, I really hope that this passes!
I think that this is something that would be very beneficial in many ways including being cheaper for Miles City residents to get eggs and meat, and it would help control pests such as grasshoppers. It is also better for the environment in that the eggs and meat do not need to be shipped and new egg cartons do not need to be made.

City Council meeting tonight 7pm. Please let the Council know you support this Ordinance! Here's hoping we can get a few hens before the grasshoppers invade!

The ordinance passed!!! We can have up to 6 chickens (no roosters )!!!! Wahoo!

HOORAY! Ms. klew, i sat behind you at the meeting and would like to collaborate with you on an internet order and i forgot to get your number, please email me!

also i'm starting a Miles City Chicken Lovers page on facebook, where we can discuss safely keeping chickens and offer advice to novice chicken keepers. I would like if you would join and help administrate.

I found the FB page and thanks for all your help. I can't believe it passed! The Health Dept. and the Extension Office are both working on educational info and classes for anyone interested and 4-H (of course)!

i would be happy to offer any help, though i've only had chickens a year i did alot of research and love to talk about chix! Whether it be increasing egg production, preventing and treating disease, housing or breeds best suited to climate/preference, i have a wealth of knowledge already..

Very nice, I think the handful of people who decide to raise chickens will enjoy the FRESH eggs and FRESH chicken! They will also help rid of bugs and insects especially them damn grasshoppers. Good Job on getting this passed!

So what does the ordinance entail, exactly? Does it specify housing, breed or where the coop is in relation to your neighbor, etc? Can they free range if they remain on your property or would you require some type of enclosure? Growing out 6 hens for meat almost doesn't seem worth it. Having 6 layers is enough for plenty of eggs if they are not the same age or if they don't molt at the same time. We have always done at least 25 birds, and sometimes you don't get to raise that many. Sexed birds are usually more expensive, but if you are only getting a few that might not be cost prohibitive.
What are the rules regarding the animals that may come after your birds?

Good job to those of you that proposed this and to the Council that approved it.

So what does the ordinance entail, exactly? Does it specify housing, breed or where the coop is in relation to your neighbor, etc? Can they free range if they remain on your property or would you require some type of enclosure? Growing out 6 hens for meat almost doesn't seem worth it. Having 6 layers is enough for plenty of eggs if they are not the same age or if they don't molt at the same time. We have always done at least 25 birds, and sometimes you don't get to raise that many. Sexed birds are usually more expensive, but if you are only getting a few that might not be cost prohibitive.
What are the rules regarding the animals that may come after your birds?

Apparently, some people would bitch if they were hung with a new rope.

Actually, I wasn't bitching, but I would raise a stink if my rope wasn't leopard print. A girl can wish for a fancy plaything around her neck, right?

Perhaps I should have elaborated. Where I live now they allowed a few birds. How you housed them, cared for them, etc, was up to you. My current city (not where we had 25+ birds) changed the ordinance because people had hens that weren't theirs crapping on their property where they took up residence to roost , predatory animals came and left carcasses in yards, coops were not cleaned regularly and chicken poop stinks. So when you just say the ordinance passes and there can be birds in city limits ( which is cool, for self-sufficiency, not to mention yummy orange yolks) without elaborating the parameters , I figure it is fair to ask how it is all going to work out. Plus, then I could possibly bring some hens currently at a friend's place instead of finding them a home.

Nice! Nothing better than fresh eggs. The main problem will be dogs running loose. Make sure your coop is strong.Stray dogs seem to be like magnets to a chicken coop...

A girl can wish for a fancy plaything around her neck, right?

Oh, I think Jade is going to get along just fine here...

The ordinance right now only says "up to six (6) chickens with no roosters" But it will go back to the Public Safety committee to amend so it's not so loose. It seems they want a distance for your coop--I think 20ft from an occupied building on an adjacent lot is a good rule and seems to be pretty common. There was some discussion about consequences if your chicks get out or are not looked after. It's in our best interest to have a good ordinance with clear parameters so someone neglectful doesn't ruin it for us all!

I read somewhere, Billings Gazette possibly, that Missoula requires you to have a permit to have backyard hens. That may not be a bad idea, as it would give the animal control officer an idea of who has hens and where. Just my $0.02

Klew,

Thanks for the clarification and keep us posted.

Missoula requires a permit and a $15 fee for 6 hens. Bozeman has a permit with $25 for up to 7 hens and $50 for 8-15 hens. The Council has copies of both city's ordinances but didn't go in that direction. It was said the fee wouldn't make that much difference as far as revenue vs hassle of the process.

Bridgier,
Is it because I am not Republican or because I sometimes find myself angry that I will have to share my oxygen with the likes of Aaron Bruce when I move there?

YEAH! I am happy. Now everyone can have these great little babies!

anybody infavor of chickens and wanting to get involved join our facebook group, Miles City Chicken Lovers

We've ordered our chicks! I'm so excited!!!

Now more people will be choking the chicken in good ol MC

Go-Mer! You're naughty!