Brentwood Public Works Talks Specifics on a Chicken Ordinance

The Brentwood Public Works Committee discussed residents keeping chickens in Brentwood backyards on Wednesday. It came to their attention when resident Angie Hulshoff, who already has five chickens, got a complaint.

Hulshoff and others who support chicken-keeping spoke at the board of aldermen meeting on Monday.

Some of the same came to the public works meeting on Wednesday.

After committee members Ward 2 Alderwoman Cindy Manestar and Ward 3 Alderman Andy Leahy talked about the importance of keeping things clean, keeping neighbors happy, and possible chicken coop regulations, chicken keeper and proponent Guy Niere spoke.

He said most cities already have ordinances for noise, odor and nuisance regulations.

“I caution that there doesn’t have to be a separate ordinance related to chickens. If you have an odor based on a sewer backing up, or a bunch of chickens, or dogs…that’s still an odor conflict,” he said.

Hulshoff said she’s not an expert beyond her three years of having chickens, but she’s for the proper care of animals.

“I would like our standards to be higher than what the government regulates, otherwise, why bother doing it,” she said. She said she'd be happy to help form an ordinance.

Leahy asked her who she’s used as a veterinary doctor, and Hulshoff said she hasn’t needed one, but if she did, she would either use backyardchickens.com or the St. Louis chicken meetup forum as a source.

She said her chickens are very happy.

“My girls have a lot of space,” she said. “They’re healthy. They’re happy to be close to their home. They know where their food source is. They love us. They love my kids.”

The committee confirmed that currently there is a moratorium on chickens, meaning that Hulshoff can keep hers, but no new chickens can come in. The discussion will continue at the next meeting.

Also in Patch:

• Blog: Brentwood Chicken Keeper Wants to Overturn No-Chicken Ordinance
• 5 Chickens in a Brentwood Backyard for 3 Years: Owner Just Learned They're not Allowed
• VIDEO: Backyard Chickens Take Off in Maplewood