Berlin Becomes Chicken (hen) Sanctuary!
The most recent edition of the ‘add on’ amendment to Chapter 107 of the Berlin MD Town Code involving the keeping of hens in Town was read at the December 28th Mayor & Council meeting. Seems the chickens may stay with the following provisions…
- Limited to no more than six hens (sorry, no fellows allowed)
- Must be penned and have adequate shelter – not less than 25′ from any residence
- Must be registered with the proper local authority
- No pecking on lawns (or some such wording)
This last one was a little blurry for me…the whole point of producing ‘free range’ quality eggs is to enable the hen to have a variety diet; to forage. It was suggested at the meeting that the pen be portable and be moved frequently. That’s a possibility however probably not an option for many of us. Oh well, short of creating another Town position – that of Chicken Police, I think that we may rest assured that we now can raise a few hens and enjoy the delicious eggs they produce.
The final reading with Public Hearing on this issue will be tomorrow night (Janaury 11th) beginning at 7 pm in Town Hall. Come join us!
Update: Hold your Chickens! No vote. Ordinance missing a couple of words…to be added in time for final vote at next meeting!
