Residents urge Owensboro commissioners to allow backyard hens with rules

Two Owensboro residents used the commission's open public forum to ask city officials to adopt rules allowing backyard hens in residential neighborhoods.

"Hens, not roosters, are pretty quiet, cleaner than many dogs, and produce a lot less waste," said Isabelle Burkett, who gave her address and told commissioners she has spoken to the body previously. Burkett asked for limits such as a cap of four to six hens, no roosters, setback requirements for coops, enclosed clean living spaces and a registration or permitting requirement with animal-control inspections.

"We're not asking for a free-for-all. We're asking for just a thoughtful ordinance that supports families, teaches kids responsibilities, and promotes food security, and respects our neighbors," Burkett said.

Another speaker, Shelby Eads, also spoke in favor of backyard hens. "They offer families fresh, nutritious eggs right from their own yard, free from worms and antibiotics," Eads said. She added that hens help reduce food waste and provide natural fertilizer for gardens, and described them as "quiet, clean, when properly cared for, and a practical step towards greater food security and sustainability in our community."

Burkett and Eads cited examples from other Kentucky cities that allow backyard hens and recommended local rules to address neighborhood concerns about noise, odor and property values. The speakers did not propose specific ordinance language; both requested the commission consider a regulated approach that would include setbacks, coop standards and permitting.

No action was taken during the meeting; city staff and commissioners did not announce a next step on the topic during the forum.