Zero chicken policy

 

I love spring. This post was supposed to be about new life and the excitement of this time of year. But then I completely derailed and now I’m kinda just in shock again, not sure how to move. 

It’s been a few years since I posted, been a few years since we were at the farmers market or the butcher or hosted a plant sale or seed swap. There’s only been a few volleyball games the past few years. Things have been quiet. 

I moved to Massillon, within city limits onto an affordable piece of land and the two kids aren’t babies anymore but awesome little rambunctious kids. We got some chickens that my kids love and all was well until I was just informed that I need to stop keeping fowl on less than 5 acres within city limits. Massillon city says no chickens. Like zero chicken policy. 

I can’t believe it. What an odd law. And I’m kinda mad. Because … what an odd law. In ww2, it was our patriotic duty to keep chickens. In 93% of all cities, there’s some way for people to house chickens. Heck, in nyc, they can even keep chickens. But not Massillon? 

It’s the wildest and most backwards thing I can think of. What an odd argument to fight with over your residents too. Chickens are weird, fluffy, feathery pets that also give you food and entertainment. A quick search found that other residents in years past have had chickens and been told they cannot have chickens due to being in city limits. Even on 2 acre pieces of land. Zero chicken policy. 

Buying a house is huge- what to afford, how many beds, garage or no garage, and location. I remember checking school districts and city ordinances. 

I do not think I would have bought a house in Massillon if I knew the city would tell me I can’t have chickens. And honestly, getting a letter saying that I couldn’t have chickens made me start house shopping again. This isn’t community building. This isn’t a place that I feel comfortable with sharing my ideals. How the hell can there be a zero chicken policy? My kid is in school, likes his teacher, neighborhood parks are nice, we like a lot of things here. but hearing about the no chicken policy, my kid also started asking “does canton have a no chicken policy?” 

I’m frustrated and upset over something that seems minor but it’s not. I’m going to get rid of the chicken, but my yard is going to miss their liveliness, companionship, them scratching at scraps and dust bathing as the squirrels try to steal their scratch grains. It’s not going to be the same. Nor is my view of this city. My Massillon pride is gone. I’m going to seek a change, either through petitioning to change the law or if that doesn’t work, I am going to move to a more supportive community. 

Cause zero chicken policy? That’s ridiculous.