Hens in Lakewood Forum Educates, Ruffles Few Feathers

More than 50 people attended a forum at the on Monday to discuss raising hens in the backyards of Lakewood homes.

More than half of them clearly supported the idea of raising hens in the backyard.

The other half raised some concerns.

The forum — presented by  organization and  — featured a panel of experts from the Ohio State University extension, local Realtors, family hen-keepers and local food advocates.

April Stoltz, a member of the Hens in Lakewood organization, said the .

Last year, Mayor Michael Summers OK’d a  four Lakewood families to raise hens in their backyards.

 later  in the city’s ordinances that allows the mayor to make an exemption on the issue.

Stoltz said the group would like to try to convince City Hall to give them a shot. 

Jaime Bouvier, a backyard hen expert who works at Cleveland State University, led Monday’s discussion. 

She talked about the health benefits of eggs, having chickens as pets and fears about hens in urban backyards.

“Urban agriculture actually builds community,” she said. “Backyard chickens add to this.”

Why do people want hens in Lakewood? 

“It’s just a response to people wanting to take control over their food sources,” Bouvier said. “People want to know that they’re food is being raised responsibly.” 

According to the experts:

• Aren’t hens loud? No.
• Aren’t they stinky? Nope.
• Won’t neighbors with hens drive down my property values? No, in fact, Bouvier said evidence shows that hens in backyards actually raise property values.
• Don’t hens carry and spread diseases? No, however backyard hens can prevent the spread of Avian flu and other chicken diseases.
• What about roosters? They’re not needed for egg production. “Cities should ban roosters,” said Bouvier.

The expert panel also advocated that the city regulate backyard hen-raising.

But some residents still had concerns.

“Chickens are very messy animals,” said one resident. “People don’t keep them clean.”

“Every bird carries salmonella,” said another (Bouvier disagreed).

Another resident suggested that the city have a chicken rescue should there be irresponsible hen owners.

Hundreds of cities across the country, including Cleveland, now allow backyard hen farming. In three years, the city has only had three complaints, Bouvier said.

“Once cities have gone pro-chicken and they’ve found there are hardly any issues,” she said. 

Mark DiDonato, a Cleveland resident and local food advocate, was initially skeptical of that city’s ordinance.

Then, he got chickens.

“I can’t imagine not having chickens. I will keep chickens until I am not able anymore.”

He warned that Lakewood — should it move forward with its legislation — shouldn’t allow more than eight hens. 

“It’s much easier to go to the store to buy eggs,” he said. “If you’re going to pursue this, then you’re committed and motivated. I think the fears are a little misguided.”