Chickens can soon come home to roost in more places in Baltimore County.
The County Council approved legislation Tuesday night that will let people in neighborhoods have backyard chicken coops.
Currently you must have at least an acre to keep chickens. This legislation lifts that restriction, but you must get a license from the county and be registered with the state agriculture department. The number of hens you can have will be limited based on the size of your yard. And you can’t have roosters.
At a recent public hearing on the legislation, Eric Rockel, the president of the Greater Timonium Community Council, feared it could lead to more rodents in neighborhoods.
“I do not have faith in my fellow citizens that they will be able to clean up adequately behind the chickens that they house,” Rockel told the council.
Not so, countered Kim Beard with the Backyard Chicken Caucus of Baltimore County.
“Chicken owners make amazing neighbors,” Beard said. “We’re really great stewards of the environment.”
Read more (and listen) at WYPR.
It’s a great step forward for the true folks who believe in real “Country Living”. There is nothing like going out and collecting several fresh eggs from free range running hens everyday. Remember most folks who are willing to raise chickens are also lovers of growing in the soil , most know that chicken waste makes an outstanding fertilizer for garden vegetables as well as most flowers beds. There are even chickens called “Bantam” that are about half the size of regular chicken and are a true delight to raise ( My wife, me and my daughters raised them years ago before settling down in Our home in Baltimore County. A good chicken coop that is rodent proof is both simple to make or really inexpensive to purchase. Thank you to the County Council for making a great positive decision. I am now retired but I worked for Baltimore County for over 30 years and am always glad to see something positive presented.
Hi Mr. Kopeck, I am exploring the possibility of having a chicken coop at a local college campus in Baltimore County. Could we discuss your thoughts on this possibility? I have some background in the area but the Bantam option sounds good and I would love to provide this opportunity to our students.