Vote could allow a dozen chickens in henhouses

By Stuart Hedstrom
Staff Writer

DOVER-FOXCROFT — The next step in granting a request made by a 9-year-old chicken owner to have the Dover-Foxcroft Land Use Ordinance amended in order for him to double his in-town flock was taken as on Feb. 4 the Dover-Foxcroft Planning Board agreed to send a recommended change in the number of permitted birds from six to 12 to the board of selectmen. The selectmen will now make a decision on whether to put the proposed land use ordinance amendment on the ballot for a town meeting vote.

Nine-year-old Owen Sherman of Pleasant Street, who is the fourth grade at the SeDoMoCha Elementary School, first addressed the planning board in January about his desire to have the number of permitted chickens increased and the board scheduled a public hearing on the matter for its February session. Currently in the residential and village zones, the ordinance permits the keeping of domesticated, non-commercial chickens with a maximum of six female chickens allowed in these sections of town regardless of how many dwelling units are on the lot.

Sherman, who has been raising chickens since the age of 4 and was joined by his parents and grandmother, stepped forward during the public hearing to address the planning board. “I would like to increase the chicken permit from six to 12,” he said. “You can buy them in multiples of six or more and you can’t replace them until your entire flock, and that leads to one lonely chicken. If you have only one chicken, no matter how many heat lamps you have, it won’t survive the winter.”

Per state law, chickens can only be purchased in multiples of six. Sherman currently tends to four birds, so an addition to the group would be a violation of the town’s ordinance of the half dozen limit. When asked, Sherman said he thinks his four can make it through the winter as his pets “are all very hardy birds.”

Glen Villane of the planning board asked Sherman how he would spread awareness should the selectmen place an ordinance amendment question on the ballot. Sherman said he would have to get his chicken stroller out of the basement and take one of his chickens, such as his Orpington Snowy named for the color of its feathers, out for a walk around town to bring attention to the issue. Sherman said he may also make signs for the stroller, possibly saying, “Vote yes for more chickens!”

Responding to a question Sherman said he would likely buy his new chickens from an establishment in Dover-Foxcroft, such as Foxcroft Agway or Tractor Supply. “That’s another reason to do it,” planning board member Chris Maas said, asking Sherman how old the birds are when purchased.

Sherman said he would like to acquire new flock members when the hens are young. “You don’t want to miss those crazy chick days,” he said.

“They are going to send it to the selectmen and they are going to vote on putting it on the ballot,” Code Enforcement Officer Connie Sands told Sherman. “The townspeople are going to vote on it in June.”