Hi,

I am interested in owning a small number of hens for egg production but live outside Woodstock city limits on land that is not zoned AG. Under current McHenry county zoning ordinance, chickens are classified as livestock and are only allowed on AG land. I'm not exactly sure how to go about getting the ordinance changed, but I would be interested in meeting other like-minded people and hopndefully strategizing together. Many urban communities do allow chickens, including Oak Park, Chicago, Madison, and New York City! Anyone at Extension interested in this issue a can you put me in contact with others who would be? Thanks much, Anna Evans

Anna,

Try speaking with Mary McCann, she is a McHenry County Board member that covers the Woodstock area. There is also a new Local Food Council that is starting in the County. Contact Kim Kolner at the McHenry County Dept. of Planning and Development for more information on this group. Good Luck!

Is there any comparable initiative starting in Lake County? I'm in Winthrop Harbor and would love to have 3-4 Hens but the city has a 5 Acre restriction on them and I would be interested in working with others on finding a way to change this.

I AM ALSO INTERESTED IN RAISING A COUPLE HENS IN WINTHROP HARBOR, I GOT THE SAME RESPONSE ABOUT 5 ACRE RESTRICTION. IF INTERESTED EMAIL ME AND WE CAN WORK TOGETHER TO GET THIS CHANGED.

Hello, I am not sure how old is your posting but now we are allowed to have a few hens, I will be interested to hear form you how the neighors received your new hens or if they are noisy also how well they take the cold weather, I am in the process of getting a few hens for my grand- children. I hear that you are suppossed to notified the city before you adquire the hens. Thanks, Fred