Rules to live by

Rules to live by. 

First I would like to state for the record that avian/chicken lice in not the same as the lice humans and other animals get. 

In the file given to the Village board members at the  July 2014 meeting, was    included some suggestions for rules and conditions for allowing me to own and keep chickens on our property.

 We  wrote:

  

Suggestions for rules, terms and conditions for allowing Mrs. (Me) ....to own and keep BYCs should Washburn, Illinois, Village committees and the Village Board, or other governing bodies this topic concerns permit the request or variance(s) to Village ordinance(s)

For the purposes of this request, I would like to submit this article listing some possible terms of compliance that I have compiled, and ask they be considered as part of this request in a list of rules, terms and conditions I would be more than willing to follow should you approve my request for variance(s) to the current ordinances. I do not presume or intend to offer them in any way as any opening to change or amend any ordinances or laws or rules which govern all of the Village other than would be granted by the aproval of the requested variance(s), or as conditions intended to govern any other person or their request for variance that may be made by them or on their behalf, now or in the future, to Village of Washburn, Illinois or its ordnance(s) concerning any topic, especially those concerning the keeping of poultry, specifically female chickens which are also called : pullets, hens, and egg layers, as I truly believe each case is unique and would need requirements and restrictions as unique as the circumstances and issues of each individual requests.

BYC shall mean “Back Yard Chickens” and refer to chicks, pullets, hens or any other term used to describe female chickens of any age or type.
TMCs shall mean Trash Management Companies
This document only applies to the residential keeping of chickens by grant of variance from the Washburn Village, in Woordford County, Illinois, to ordnance Title 5, Chapter 7, Section 5-7-1, Item 5, Section 5-7-2 (B), Section 5-7-2 (C) and Title 6, Chapter 4, Section 6-4-3 (D) dated February 10^th, 1992, the Village Code of the Village of Washburn, 1977, for a certain level of medical needs based sustainability, as comfort pets for the disabled, for pet and egg laying chickens for these purposes and does not address the keeping of chickens for meat or for the keeping of other fowl such as pigeons, ducks, geese, peacocks, etc..

• we will do no slaughtering of BYC with in the village limits proper (on private or rented residential property)
• 4 hens (BYC), maximum (this is below a common minimum order when purchasing chicks) per single-family dwelling.
• No roosters! (they are where any noise complaints would come from)
• No free roaming BYC or free ranging BYC. BYC must be fenced/confined in proper coops and runs, or enclosed chicken tractors at all times.
• Chickens are not allowed to be kept porches or inside of residences (with the exception of one needing intensive temporary veterinary/medical care or are so young they require brood boxes or heat lamps until 4 weeks of age)
• Surprise inspections of coop and bird conditions at residential properties could occur once in every three month period,
• Complaints shall be handled on a case by case basis less than $100.00 per offense and no more $500.00 fine per bird confiscated.
• A roofed coop and fence with basic coop floor dimensions based on minimum of 2 ft by 2ft per chicken and a basic run based on min. of 3.5 ft by 3.5 ft per chicken. The use of a proper sized and constructed chicken tractor (enclosed mobile chicken coop) may be used on a temporary, daily basis, to allow chickens access to fresh grounds, but chickens must be in their proper, secured coop from sun down to sun up.
• Stationary Coop and run must be a minimum of 15 ft from nearest neighbors living quarters (attached sheds and garages not included as part of the living quarters).
• the coops (including those with nesting boxes) and pens must be maintained in a nuisance-free manner. Meaning frequently cleaned out, washed down, and stained or painted and diligent structural maintenance given regularly with special attention given to prevention of diseases, mites, chicken (bird) lice, and other internal or external parasitic infection/infestation prevention a must!
• Plantings and grounds in and around the coop must be well maintained and not allowed to be in a muddy state.
• food and feed stores to be contained and covered at all times to prevent rodent access.
• We would not burn BYC bedding and droppings in burn barrels, back yard fire pits, wood, cob or other heaters, or incendiary devices which use natural materials to provide heat to residential dwellings, green houses, barns, garages or any other structures, or any other residential burning devices.
• We wish to utilize the composting of droppings and bedding: this would done in covered a compost bins, buried in the ground, or in raised beds in which planting will not occurs for at least 6 months after the of last application of BYC droppings. Areas (compost bins and garden beds) used to compost used BYC bedding and droppings would not but-up to, stand directly against, or otherwise be attached to any residential dwelling, or buildings attached to a residential dwelling.
• Local Trash Management companies (TMCs) we would be willing to be charged an optional, maximum, annual fee not greater than $24.00 per 12 calendar month for the disposal of chicken bedding and waste if we wish to compost the droppings and bedding. BYC droppings and bedding to be removed by local trash removal management companies would be bagged properly in sealed plastic trash bags and placed into a proper garbage receptacle for pick up.
• All other current animal ordinances apply, including cleaning up after animals, neglect and cruelty laws, animal fighting laws and animals at large laws, etc.
• We would be willing to donate our excess eggs to the local food pantry serving our village,
• Disposal of any deceased BYC would and must comply with village, county and state laws concerning such instances.