Hens?

Really?

Why do people suddenly think they need to have laying hens? How much money is saved by getting eggs from six laying hens?

Does “lots of up to a half-acre” include the area a building is sitting on?

How much room is required for the hens to live?

Can owners kill and cook the hens when they are not laying?

What are the zoning rules for adding a henhouse to a half-acre lot with a building already in place?

How big does a henhouse have to be for six hens? Twelve hens?

I am disappointed councilors do not realize that a hen requires as much care and shelter as any other animal. Is there a knowledge level for the owners, or can anyone dash out and get hens?

These animals need a fenced area to roam, both for their safety and to keep them off a non-hen-owning neighbor’s property. Allowed to roam freely, they’ll spread bacteria on areas where children play and they will probably try to cross the street.

I foresee owners creating a great number of “hen abuse” cases, as well as nuisance calls about poultry invading areas where they are not welcome. Will there be a citation for “not controlling hens”?

This is one decision that needed a lot more thought.

The City Council is making some offbeat decisions lately. I’m happy some of the councilors will be replaced soon.

June Chartier, Auburn