In 2o13, an effort to change the city code to allow people to raise chickens in Hudson failed when Mayor William Hallenback vetoed it, and there were not enough votes on the Common Council to override a mayoral veto.
In 2020. a renewed effort to permit raising chicken in Hudson was successful. The proposed law was approved by the Common Council with a vote of 7 to 4, and Mayor Kamal Johnson did not veto it. The law, which is now part of the city code, specifies that keeping chickens requires a conditional use permit from the Planning Board. Gossips is a pretty diligent follower of the Planning Board, and to Gossips' recollection the Planning Board has only granted three conditional use permits for raising chickens.
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| Photo: The Humane Society of the United States |
The law as it stands addresses both roosters and rats. Section 70-17.C of the code states unequivocally: "No more than five female chickens shall be allowed per lot. Roosters shall not be permitted." Section 70-17.I states in part: "All such enclosures and coops shall be properly cleaned and maintained and shall be constructed of materials and in a manner designed to prevent predators, rodents and other vermin from entering into or remaining therein."
It's possible the language of the law could be amended to make the language relating to rats more obvious and direct, but Gossips recalls that, back in 2013, in a discussion of the proposed law, Cheryl Roberts, who was then city attorney, declared unequivocally: "If you have chickens, you have rats." Roberts knew whereof she spoke. She kept chickens at her home in Austerlitz.
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What about all the illegally dumped garbage in our alleys that feed vermin? What about the blue garbage bags out 3 or 6 days before pickup that vermin and rodents tear into to feed themselves? Where is the proactive enforcement of these obvious, everyday code violations producing quality of life issues all over town? One rooster gets all the attention instead? It's so preposterous! This is a nothing burger.
ReplyDeleteHe’s right 👆Go check out the garbage strewn around the intersection of 2nd and Warren, Hudson’s “Times Swuare,” (2nd St is the “Deuce”). This is just hating on city transplants that want to cosplay upstate country and have a few chickens. Is it silly? Yes. But not worth worrying about. But they need to get rid of that rooster 🐓
DeleteI doubt that chickens invariably bring rats. If they did, I'd have them where I live - my neighbor has ten chickens. The one time I was slightly inconvenienced was when two of them found their way into my backyard and he and I had to usher them back.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Bill: If there are rats in Hudson, it's not because of the chickens.
When I lived in the city I had a boyfriend who kept two chickens in a cage he made on our fire escape. They were named Original and Extra Crispy. Everyone complained. Once one escaped and we were running down a crowded Pitt Street chasing it yelling, “Extra Crispy come back!”
ReplyDeleteMax -- chickens always attract rats: they eat food outside. Rats. The real issue is, who is going to read the law to the rats and explain to them that they're not welcome?
ReplyDeleteI have had chicken for many years, never one rat.
DeleteAnywhere there are humans you will find that rats are not far behind. We provide everything they need ...harborage, food, water etc. The chicken itself does not attract rats but open food and water sources certainly do. I have been here almost 70 years and lived in Hudson, West Ghent and Claverack. Have seen rats in ALL three locations. Just because you dont see them doesn't mean they are not there.
ReplyDeleteA basic truth for much in life, "Just because you don't see them doesn't mean they are not there."
DeleteIf chickens and their feed are properly cared for and stored, there is an extremely low chance of attracting rats. There are feeders that are enclosed and also prevent spillage so there is no feed constantly available to rats.
ReplyDelete