LETTER: Bill to grant a right to raise chickens needs public boost

To Ozaukee Press:

I, like many of my friends, am an avid believer in providing for oneself. I grow a large garden, forage up north, hunt and fish to keep my freezer full. I like being close to the source of our dinner. Adding homegrown eggs to this would be beyond satisfying.

The village that I live in, Oostburg, does not currently allow them. I am asking the Village Board to reconsider. To aid this, I was looking into chicken ordinances that are in use in Wisconsin communities and came across Legislative Bill AB 685 that was introduced last year. The bill would make it unlawful for communities to prohibit chicken raising. Unfortunately, it did not pass.

I emailed State Rep. Shae Sortwell, who introduced the bill, and he responded that the bill will be reintroduced in February. I am asking your readers to please email their representatives to ask their support and ask friends and family to do the same.

Grant Sackett

Oostburg