Grand Rapids family plans to protest order to get rid of backyard chickens

The Beerhorst family of Grand Rapids says they want to keep their small flock of six chickens to help connect their children with where their food comes from. But the the city says they have to get rid of the chickens by Nov. 1 or face inspections, citations and more.

The battle is brewing in Grand Rapids, while other municipalities in the state are loosening restrictions on the keeping of the bird. Traverse City lifted restrictions on keeping chickens in the city last month, and Flint is trying to rewrite its codes to allow the keeping of various farm animals, including chicken, the Flint Journal reported in July.

While Grand Rapids code officials have a deadline hanging over the Beerhorst family, the Grand Rapids Press reports discussions are under way in that city to lift restrictions as well.

City Planning Director Suzanne Schulz says she is exploring ordinances that would allow chicken keeping in the city.
“There does seem to be a significant number of people who think there ought to be a right to do it,” Schulz says. The city’s housing ordinance considers chickens to be farm animals instead of pets.

For Schulz, the question is whether the city has the resources to regulate another activity that will require inspections and enforcement.

“The discussion isn’t if chickens are good or bad. It’s whether we can we responsible if we allow them,” she says.

Schulz says the concerns are about what to do with those people who decide to keep chickens in the city but fail to do so appropriately. She expressed concern the poorly cared for animals would draw predators like skunks and raccoons as well as rodents.

But the Beerhosts, who are artists, say they will fight to keep the feathered friends and their wire-formed classroom.

The family has a Facebook page they have launched to save their chickens, and one of their children launched a video showcasing the feathered family members.