KALAMAZOO (WKZO-AM) — Kalamazoo Township has received a proposal from their planning board to allow residents to raise up to four chickens in their back yard.
It had been banned for a while in Kalamazoo Township, but public demand has brought it back.
There are several rules. Only four hens can be kept in an enclosed back yard in a coop or pen, roosters cannot be kept on the property whatsoever, and the animals cannot be let outside without supervision.
Trustee Steve Leuty said some people like their eggs fresh, while others enjoy the hobby of raising the animals.
“It’s not really a financial ‘win’ situation to have chickens,” Leuty said. “It’s cheaper to go to Meijer and buy eggs at $1.10 a dozen.”
He says Parchment, Kalamazoo and Portage already have their own ordinances permitting chickens. Each ordinance is more generous, allowing up to six birds or more.
A request to add ducks was mentioned, but they want to see if the chicken ordinance flies first.
– John McNeill
