WORCESTER, Mass. - Amanda Shearstone built a chicken coop in her backyard in 2020, while she like many others had to stay home during the COVID-19 pandemic.
She wanted the fresh eggs for her family and to be able to live a more sustainable lifestyle. But, it’s illegal to raise chickens in Worcester, and Shearstone was unaware until she got a cease and desist letter from the city.
"Get rid of them within 14 days or I could appeal it to the zoning board," said Shearstone. "Then that's what started the petition because I technically couldn't appeal it to the zoning board."
What You Need To Know
- Worcester resident Amanda Shearstone is leading the charge to legalize raising chickens in the city
- The ordinance was shot down last year and in 2011 by city councilors
- Shearstone points to numerous benefits, including a lowered carbon footprint, fresh eggs for her family, as well as limiting the amount of trash they have
- Concerns include how loud the birds are, how they smell, and if the coops attract rats
Shearstone has kept her birds because of a loophole in the appeals process, and after getting a second cease and desist last week, she's ramping up her effort to legalize owning live chickens.
'Team Chicken's' petition has the blessing of the planning board and some city council members.
"There's now a mock up ordinance with three pages of signatures," said Shearstone. "The ordinance would allow six chickens, no roosters."
Shearstone said details like any restrictions about where chickens can live are still being ironed out. She said the division of public health and the economic development subcommittee are looking at the ordinance.
Aside from the almost 50 eggs her chickens produce a week, Shearstone said other benefits include limiting the amount of her household’s trash.
"Any of your food scraps that you might have, chickens will gladly eat them," said Shearstone. "Any of the insects around, chickens will eat them. They'll eat ticks, even ticks with lyme disease. Chickens can't get lyme disease."
There are some concerns, and one is food around chicken coops might attract rats. But, Shearstone said she keeps her chickens’ home clean which also eliminates any odd smells.
City councilors rejected prior ordinances in 2011 and another one just last year. But Shearstone said ‘Team Chicken’ is better prepared this time, and she's hoping others can benefit from having their own coops soon.
"Seven eggs a day," she said. "My neighbors will benefit, I have coworkers that benefit, my family benefits. So, it's just kind of helping your neighbor too and getting back to that sustainable living I guess."