Backyard chickens raise squawk from Cazenovia village officials

Caznovia, NY -- A request to allow residents to raise chickens has ruffled some feathers in the village of Cazenovia. The idea was hatched earlier this year by resident William Wester, who wanted to keep four to six chickens in his Farnham Street backyard to help teach his children responsibility and to provide the family with fresh eggs. But...

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Caznovia, NY -- A request to allow residents to raise chickens has ruffled some feathers in the village of Cazenovia.

The idea was hatched earlier this year by resident William Wester, who wanted to keep four to six chickens in his Farnham Street backyard to help teach his children responsibility and to provide the family with fresh eggs.

But village officials feared that amending the code to allow poultry could literally open the barn door to other such requests. “If chickens are OK, what about ducks, ferrets, miniature horses, minks or pythons?” Cazenovia Mayor Tom Dougherty said.

“Some are appealing to some people, but not to their neighbors,” Trustee Peggy Van Arnam said. “Anything that sleeps with you in the house is a pet. Anything that doesn’t is a wild animal.”

To assuage fears about odors and complaints, Wester had suggested an appointed board to oversee participating households and a requirement that neighbors sign on before a permit was issued.

That, too, was met with mixed reviews. “Regulations cost money,” Dougherty said. “I don’t think inspecting chicken coops is a smart use of taxpayer dollars.”

The proposal was met with some support. Vice-Mayor Kurt Wheeler said such sustainable living suggestions might become more commonplace as the economy grows greener. “A lot more urbane places than Cazenovia are doing this,” he said. “The ability of people to produce their own food locally is a positive thing.”

On Monday night, the final vote split 3-2 against allowing chickens within village limits. “I have no hatred toward chickens,” Dougherty said. “I like chickens. I think it’s a great thing for kids to collect eggs. But they can do that at a farm or a zoo, too.”