Animal Task Force votes 5-2 to allow backyard chickens

CLOVIS — Poultry enthusiasts find themselves one step closer to bringing backyard chickens to Clovis.

Members at Wednesday night’s Animal Control Task Force meeting voted 5-2 to forward an ordinance dealing with the animals to the Clovis city commission.

The proposed change to the city’s long-standing ordinance against poultry would allow residents to have up to five hens, and no roosters, within the city limits.

Opposing votes came from Animal Control director Marty Martinez and District 1 Commissioner Juan Garza.

Garza said he wasn’t opposed to the idea of backyard chickens, but that the ordinance has, “a lot of unanswered questions,” including enforcement and how neighbors could be impacted. He added there could be confusion in various neighborhoods if the city allows something but a homeowners association doesn’t.

The ordinance would create a $25 registration fee every three years, and a requirement the birds be contained in a coop or fenced run in the backyard.

Steven Hill of Clovis authored the proposed ordinance, and tried to assuage concerns of dissenting voters.

“I think having someone obtain a license gives an opportunity to perhaps pass on an information packet similar to what is received when adopting a dog or cat,” Hill said. “I believe these packets could be managed and produced by local backyard chicken enthusiasts which would lower the cost of providing a license for the city.”

The current ordinance, 6.16.060, regarding poultry ownership within the city states, “No person shall keep poultry within one hundred feet of any residence or business establishment, except the residence or business establishment of the person owning or controlling the poultry.”

Clovis resident Tonja Winters, who is able to keep poultry due to the size and location of her property, says that her family has benefited from the ability to keep poultry.

“My kids learn how to care for the chickens and where their food comes from,” Winters said. “My youngest has been collecting eggs for our family since she was 2 years old.

“An added benefit is the reduction in our grocery bill from the fresh eggs. A couple of my kids have celiac disease, so buying gluten free foods for them is very expensive. Since having our own eggs, I have learned to cook in a way that allows them to flourish.”

The ordinance could be in front of the city commission as soon as Aug. 3. If introduced, the ordinance can only be considered for final approval two weeks after it is published — leaving the earliest possible adoption the Sept. 7 commission meeting.