Chickens Coming Home to Roost in Deerfield

Deerfield is a popular suburb for those looking for a nice place to live. Even for chickens.

Ahmed Hawari of Deerfield is one of three people who have applied for a license to raise backyard chickens, according to Adam Lichterman, assistant to Village Manager Kent Street.

Village trustees had approved a yearlong pilot program in February to award licenses for up to five Deerfield families to raise as many as four egg laying chickens in the Village. Hawari is now one of those officially licensed by the Village of Deerfield to begin keeping backyard chickens. 

Hawari has kept chickens as a hobby for about 10 years, though he and his neighbors only recently built the larger, more stylish coop, according to a March 6 report in the Daily Herald. Hawari became one of the few residents officially allowed to keep chickens on their property on March 1, the report stated.

The pilot project for the animals allows only for hens capable of laying eggs to be kept in backyards, while roosters are prohibited, Patch was told. The animals must be kept in a coop located in a rear yard more than 10 feet from all neighboring property lines.

Still, some people were all for the chickens; some were against. The board's approach with the pilot program is designed to test out their impact, for good or bad.

Do you think backyard chickens are a good idea? Why or why not? Tell us in the comments.

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