More than 30 weigh in on Unity debate about backyard chicken regulations — some pro, some con

Unity’s supervisors on Thursday heard from more than 30 residents debating whether township zoning regulations should be changed to provide greater allowance for backyard chickens on smaller properties.

Jeff and Kristin Kuhns are appealing a zoning violation notice stemming from the 20 chickens they’re raising on less than the minimum 2 acres. They argued that Unity should loosen that rule because keeping the birds in one’s backyard as a hobby is a growing national trend.

They referred to other area municipalities that allow chickens on smaller lots.

Addressing township officials during the information-gathering session, Jeff Kuhns said his family considers the chickens pets, not livestock. They say raising them has reinforced their son’s sense of responsibility.

“He gets up every day and has to do chores to take care of the animals,” he said.

Kristin Kuhns said the chickens are a source of amusement and entertainment for the family.

“They’re not just for eggs,” she said.

Darnell Biss, a neighbor in Lawson Heights, complained about the family’s chickens, saying they “should be in an agricultural setting, not a residential neighborhood.” She said neighbors are “tired of the constant crowing of the roosters.”

The Kuhnses have said they control the crowing of their five roosters by keeping them under a dark covering until about 7:30 a.m.

“What about the rest of the neighbors who would like to sleep in?” Biss asked.

Biss expressed concern about predators being attracted to the neighborhood by the chicken’s eggs, reporting a sighting of a bobcat. Some audience members said rodents were attracted to the eggs of other chickens that were being kept in their neighborhoods.

Unity resident J.R. Flowers said he has trapped wild animals, including bobcats, for many years as a former game warden, including on the outskirts of Lawson Heights.

He argued that Kristin Kuhns’ chickens are not a specific attraction for predators.

“If the predators were an issue, her chickens would be dead,” he said.

Biss said she believes the manure the chickens produce is unhealthy and that having them in the neighborhood will lower property values.

“No one wants to buy a house next to screeching roosters and stinky chickens,” she said.

Some people who spoke in support of backyard chickens argued that the manure, if properly composted, is a good fertilizer.

Kristin Kuhns said she’s talked to like-minded people in other areas who wouldn’t want to move to Unity because of its restrictions on backyard chickens.

Several residents asked the township not to change the zoning regulations to favor backyard chickens. Township planning commission member Frank Novotny objected to what he described as the foul smell of chicken coops.

“We have ordinances and zoning to protect the community,” he said.

Others said their families were saddened when they had to give up their chickens to comply with the township regulations.

Some said backyard chickens should be allowed, but added that owners need to be respectful of neighbors — perhaps refraining from adding roosters to their flock if they have a small lot.

The Kuhnses and Biss have initiated rival Change.org petitions advocating for backyard chickens in the township and opposing them. As of Thursday evening, more than 1,300 had signed on in support while a little more than 100 were opposed.

If the supervisors would decide to amend the zoning ordinance, the process likely would take about three months because of required reviews by planning officials and a public hearing, township Solicitor Gary Falatovich said.

He noted the Kuhnses’ appeal appearance before the township zoning hearing board has been moved back from next week to Sept. 22.