Since most of the home lots in The Pinery tend to be much larger than your average suburban lots, several people like the idea of keeping backyard chickens. I am one of them. We've lived in Colorado for over a decade, but when we lived in northern California before coming here, we had four hens in our very typical suburban backyard (our yard was maybe 1/10th of an acre, really not a lot of outdoor space).
Our four backyard "girls" were fabulous! They were quiet, they kept the bug population down, they were great pets that required minimal care and maintenance -- and the eggs they laid were a culinary delight. You haven't lived until you've really had a fresh-as-in-just-laid-fresh egg omelette!
So I'd certainly like to see backyard chicken keeping approved in The Pinery. Douglas County already does allow this: http://www.douglas.co.us/zoning/zoning-resolutions/section_24_animals/#a2403
Here's the text:
2403
Poultry, Fowl, and Small Livestock (noncommercial) (Amended 6/12/12)Domestic, noncommercial use of poultry or fowl, i.e., chickens, turkeys, pigeons, small birds, and ducks, and domestic, noncommercial use of small livestock i.e., rabbits, chinchillas or similar animals, shall be permitted as follows:
For residential losts of less than 2.3 acres, Poultry/fowl are limited to 4 female chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus). Slaughtering of poultry/fowl or small livestock is not permitted.
Poultry, fowl and small livestock shall be properly housed (e.g., chicken coop, rabbit hutch) and shall be located in accordance with the required accessory use setback.
How do YOU feel about backyard chickens? Drop us an email at [email protected] and let us know!