Poultry Lovers Crow as Ban Is Rejected

Poultry lovers in Los Angeles County claimed victory Thursday after members of a county commission voted unanimously to drop a proposal to banish roosters and limit the number of hens in unincorporated areas.

The decision by the Regional Planning Commission came suddenly as a public hearing was about to begin on a proposed ordinance that raised the ire of poultry owners across the county.

The ordinance, introduced last month, would have allowed up to six hens per household and banned roosters from residential neighborhoods. In addition, the proposal required the birds to be kept in pens at least 35 feet from homes.

“Now that we got the chickens taken care of, we are going to go after the turkeys in office,” a jubilant Susan Steele of Chatsworth said after the commission’s decision. “It’s ridiculous we had to go even this far.”

About 75 chicken supporters attended the hearing, many of them prepared to testify against the ordinance because they said it restricted rights of people who raise the fowl as pets or for a hobby.

County planners said that, in the end, they decided that the proposed ordinance was unnecessary because there are other laws on the books that protect homeowners who are disturbed by roosters and hens kept by neighbors.

Assistant planner John Orr told commissioners the proposal was drawn up because the district attorney’s office has trouble enforcing bans on farm animals in residential neighborhoods because existing laws are not specific enough. He added that authorities had received complaints from residents about the noise and smell of chickens.

Although state laws prohibit keeping farm animals in residential zones, Orr said county law does not address the issue.

Officials said there is a slight chance the issue could turn up again, but another public hearing would have to be scheduled before any action is taken.

“I am 99% sure that the proposal will not come up again,” said assistant planner Dave Owens. “But nothing is impossible. People should know we do have laws on the books to protect someone who feels bothered.”

Poultry lovers applauded the commission’s decision.

Before the meeting, about a dozen poultry lovers, clad in red T-shirts that read “Save the Chickens!” marched in front of the downtown Hall of Records. Another group, with members dressed in plush chicken costumes, joined them inside when the hearing began.

“What are they going to try to regulate next?” asked Walter N. Prince, organizer of the newly formed group, ROOSTER--Rural Outcry Over Sexist Tactics to Exterminate Roosters, which has collected more than 5,000 signatures for its petition drive against the ordinance.

“First it’s roosters, then it will be dogs, then who knows what might be next,” said Prince, who does not own any chickens. “This is a huge victory for us. We came together three weeks ago and our office is now being flooded with phone calls. People are angry that our rights were almost taken away.

“We really ruffled their feathers,” Prince added after a chuckle. “It’s a funny thing, but a serious issue. You have to take a stand or people will try to walk over you.”