We urge the New Castle Town Board to reconsider the issue of backyard hens. Current zoning requires 10 acres, while neighboring towns do not have similar restrictions on poultry.

Allowing residents to keep a limited number of backyard chickens would be a socially and environmentally responsible move on the part of the Town of New Castle.
 
 In recent years, with the price of oil and food increasing, along with nearly constant scares about the safety of the food supply, it seems more important than ever that people are able to raise and produce some of their own food.
 
Recently, cities across the country have begun allowing citizens to keep backyard chickens because of their numerous benefits.  Seattle, Portland, and Madison are just a few examples.  The exact laws vary, but in general they permit residents to keep 6-12 chickens in a secure backyard enclosure a minimum distance from neighboring residences, and forbid the keeping of roosters. 
 
A backyard hen can live 8-10 years, and will produce hundreds of eggs in her lifespan.  In addition to the benefit of fresh eggs, chicken manure is a valuable addition to any compost pile.  They also eat bugs, aerate the soil, and can eat fruit and vegetable waste from the kitchen, reducing landfill usage.  The eggs do not have to be trucked and refrigerated for long distances, which could even help reduce the owner's carbon footprint compared to buying conventional eggs.  Research shows that fresh, naturally raised eggs have an improved nutrient profile compared to conventional eggs.  Raising chickens in a suburban location is quite different from how they are raised on a large poultry farm.  Properly cared for and cleaned up after, they would make less noise and smell than most dogs and leaf blowers.

We feel it important that the time is right for the Town Board to reconsider the matter. Backyard chickens make complete sense as part of a nationwide trend towards sustainability and local food.

We, the undersigned citizens of the Town of New Castle, believe that chickens belong within the city limits. City ordinance must be changed to allow a small number of hens in our urban backyards for the following reasons:

--Rich fertilizer byproduct increases garden health
--Helps control pests and weeds
--Educates children about food sources
--Increases local food security by providing delicious and nutritious fresh eggs
--Waste reduction (table scraps and garden waste can be fed to chickens)
--Increases self-sufficiency and inter-dependency within our community
-- A properly cleaned and maintained chicken coop is no threat to sanitation

By allowing chickens within the Town of New Castle will encourage stewardship of the urban landscape and food production on a household scale.The best food is closest to home, backyard chickens are an important piece of a sustainable suburban landscape.

Sincerely,