Borough to Proceed with Chicken Ordinance

The West Chester Planning, Zoning and Industrial Development Committee once again listened to residents who want to raise chickens in their backyards in the borough.

“There are numerous benefits to raising chickens,” said borough resident Corinne Greskiewicz.  “Not only do you get farm fresh eggs, but they can provide fertilizer and pest control.”

Greskiewicz has lobbied the Planning Committee several times, and came prepared with a list of municipalities that allow chickens and how they regulate them.

According to Greskiewicz, Media allows chickens as well as places like State College and New York City.

“Chickens hardly make any noise if there aren’t any roosters,” Greskiewicz said.  “And there’s hardly any smell.  Four to five chickens poop as much as the average dog.”

Committee member Chuck Christy said he was concerned about who would enforce a chicken ordinance if the borough created one, and committee chair Stephen Shinn said he was skeptical about chickens until he started researching it.

Ultimately, the committee decided to draft a chicken ordinance that will be voted on next month.

The new ordinance will likely include measures that prevent roosters, limit the amount of chickens a household can have, provide residents a way to complain about their neighbors chickens and prevent residents from slaughtering their chickens outside.