Garner Approves Zoning Change to permit Backyard Hens

My dear neighbors have had a special use permit for up to four ‘therapy hens’ since 2010 for her little boy who has been diagnosed with autism. That’s when this issue was first brought before the town council for serious consideration. The outlaw chicken community and its sympathizers are very generous. Knowing that we have been researching backyard hens and how much it would cost to raise chickens, last week out of the blue my neighbor brought me a homemade coop/run/combo and two adolescent chicks. My kids named the girls Rosie & Henrietta. I’ve been surprised to learn that each of the hens has unique personalities and although at first glance they look nearly indistinguishable, the kids have been able to quickly point out their differences.

So it should have come as no surprise to me when at 6:30 pm today I received a text message from my hen supplier [aka my neighbor] who alerted me that there was going to be a hearing tonight at 7:00 pm to consider changing the ban on chickens. She also told me that her little boy would be speaking during the public comment portion and asked if I could show up to offer moral support. In spite of the fact that today was my birthday I felt obliged and so I did. I was fascinated by what I learned.