Should Backyard Chicken Coops be Allowed in Bolingbrook?

Whether Bolingbrook residents should be allowed to raise chickens in coops in their backyards has "never come up," according to Bolingbrook Village Attorney James Boan. 

However, Downers Grove, Naperville, Lombard, Westmont and St. Charles all allow residents to have backyard chicken coops. Plainfield most recently gave the go-ahead for backyard chickens in October. 

Boan said he's seen the trend in nearby communities, but "there's been no request by anybody to raise a chicken in their backyard" in Bolingbrook.

Currently, raising chicken and chicken coops are prohibited in Bolingbrook's municipal code, along with goat pens and the raising of turkeys, donkeys, sheep and other animals. 

As in Plainfield and other communities, the municipal code would need to be revised to allow backyard chicken coops. In Plainfield, roosters are still prohibited and residents must follow certain requirements in building their shelters. 

Should Bolingbrook residents be allowed to have backyard chicken coops? Tell us in the comments. 

Here's what Bolingbrook Facebook readers had to say:

Courtney O.: Not a bad idea...cost effective and great health initiatives.

Dawn L.: Don't even get me started. My back neighbor had some. What a nightmare for us.

Beth G.: Are you serious! With all the stink and diseases. That is absolutely crazy!! Go live in the country if you want chickens. Definitely not here.

Ellen K.: Absolutely! If you look at the type of requirements Plainfield put in place, they are doing their part to reduce problems. Properly cared for, chickens have no more risk of disease than any other household pets, plus they can provide nutrition with their eggs. If you're concerned, please do some research on suburban chicken coops. There are a lot of successful urban coops out there, and Bolingbrook would be wise to look into giving residents the option.

Bethany S.: A well tended coop does not stink at all. Backyard birds are great producers of healthy eggs, and can be wonderful education for all of us. We should not have to live in the country to be able to provide our own, healthy food.

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