Politics & Government

Backyard Chickens Now Fair Game in Deerfield

A pilot program last year to allow a limited number of families to raise chickens proved successful.

The Deerfield Village Board voted this week to allow residents to raise chickens in their backyards following what officials said was a successful pilot program last year, according to the Deerfield Review.

Last year the board decided to give up to five Deerfield families a license to raise as many as four egg -laying chickens in a yearlong pilot program. Only hens capable of laying eggs were allowed. Roosters were prohibited. The animals had to be kept in a coop located in a rear yard more than 10 feet from all neighboring property lines.

That pilot program, which is set to expire next month, resulted in no complaints, village staff said at the meeting, according to the Deerfield Review. The board then approved making that pilot program permanent.

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