Resident urges council to allow a few backyard hens, cites cost and education benefits

A Kewaunee resident urged the Common Council to amend the city ordinance that currently bans keeping hens within city limits, saying she wants a small flock for family food and to teach her children responsibility.

The resident, who spoke during public comment, said she unintentionally brought home chicks after checking county rules and later discovered the city ordinance prohibited keeping hens. “I’m not asking for factory chicken farms. I’m looking for a few hens for sustainable living and educational purposes for my children,” she said, adding she has an online petition with “over 203 signatures” supporting the change.

The resident said she would accept limits and inspections, suggested a cap of “2, 3 eggs” per day or a small number of hens, and emphasized she does not want roosters. “With 3 hens, I’ve been able to feed my family breakfast for the last 2 months without having to purchase eggs,” she said.

Council members did not take immediate action during the comment period; the mayor closed public comment after no other speakers requested to speak. The issue was presented as a citizen request rather than an agenda item; any ordinance change would require staff research and a future agenda item for formal consideration, public notice and a vote.

The meeting record shows the resident offered to work with the city on restrictions and verification of animal welfare; she also said many petition signatures appear to be local but that she may still collect additional hand signatures to confirm local support.

Next steps: The request will need to be referred to staff for legal and zoning review and placed on a future council agenda if the council wishes to consider amending the city ordinance.