Chickens will soon be allowed in the city of Shawano. At Wednesday’s Shawano Common Council Meeting, a city ordinance was changed to allow up to four chickens in a licensed coop. City Administrator Brian Knapp said those planning on having chickens will need to pay attention to the ordinance details.
“It allows up to four chickens, but no roosters” said Knapp. “You cannot slaughter the chickens, and they need to be kept in a sanitary enclosure and cared for.” Knapp said the coop can’t be closer than 25 feet from any residential dwelling. Knapp added that it also comes down to common sense. “Take reasonable care of your chickens and make sure that they do not bother the neighbors.”
Knapp explained that enforcement would be shared between City Hall and the Shawano Police Department.
The vote to approve chickens passed 5-1. Alderperson Sandy Steinke voted no, and said it was because she had many residents in her district that asked her to vote no. “I voted the way I did not for myself, but as a voice that my constituents wanted to have their thoughts heard.”
Those wishing to acquire chickens will need to go to City Hall to get the coop registered. The council approved a $5.00 license fee for the coop. Along with the restrictions, those wishing to acquire a chicken coop in the city will have to take care of a few steps of approval first.
“They do have to register the chickens with the state” Mayor Jeanne Cronce said. “They need to have a State ID number to acquire a license with us.”
Mayor Cronce said once the license is paid for, it covers the whole coop for a year.
Prior to the meeting, Scott Krueger spoke to the council asking for their approval in the ordinance. Krueger stated a petition to allow chicken and said necessary steps have been taken in the recent years to limit predators and disease control.