Chickens may find new roost in Norwood

NORWOOD, Ohio - Jeanne Stanton and her family started raising chickens in their backyard last Easter.

"They're very sweet," she says.

They didn't know they were breaking the law.

"We got a knock on the door on a Friday afternoon," she says. "The Health Commissioner said, 'You're not allowed to have chickens in Norwood'."

The Stantons were stunned.

The chickens were, well, family. "We come out here on the swing and talk with the chickens," she says. " We hang out with the chickens."

Plus, she says they lay between two and seven eggs a day during the warmer months.

So Jeanne and her husband petitioned Norwood City Council to keep their birds.

Their argument was how keeping chickens reduced their carbon footprint by producing their own food, and saving money by recycling much of their kitchen and garden waste.

"It was something we agreed to take a look at," says councilmember Donna Laake.

"We found it a reasonable explanation and liked the way she approached it, agrees councilmember Steve Thornbury. "So we took it up with the law department and had them put together an ordinance to give her some satisfaction."

The first draft of the modified ordinance allows for residents to have up to 7 hens, but no roosters.

Despite Mayor Thomas Williams calling the legislation a 'waste of time,' Thornbury sees the ordinance passing unanimously.

He sees it adding an eclectic touch to the city's image. "It's just a fun little thing about Norwood that you can add to the list."

For those who are wondering, if the city is allowing chickens, Thornbury says  other livestock will have to remain in the barnyard.  "I don't see any cattle ranches starting in Norwood anytime soon."