Chickens and the Board of Health
Dear Editor:
I’m writing regarding “the chicken story†reported by Adam Swift in the 05-25-23 issue of the “Winthrop Sun Transcript.†The story covered the issue of raising chickens and in what part of a resident’s yard.
I need to start by saying I do NOT envy the Chairman and other members of our Winthrop Board of Public Health. It appears that not all the residents will ever agree with the Board’s public health decrees and safeguards. This current order to raise chickens in a side or back yard vs a front yard is the latest of some citizens taking issue with the Board.
Historically speaking, however, I remember when non-smoking areas of restaurants were first introduced in our Town and in our Commonwealth. As years went on, the public realized that mixing smoke with food intake couldn’t be all that healthy. Currently, folks who still smoke exit the restaurant for a while for the general wellbeing of other customers.
Again, looking at history, I know a few people who still complain about the need to use paper or recyclable bags vs plastic bags. Again, the Board of Health Chair and members become not the most popular people in Town.
Moving on to chickens and bees, however, Chairman Schmidt noted that the Board of Health decision went through several public hearings and took into consideration the regulations in other communities before being approved 3-0 by the Board. The end result was that chickens should be raised in side or back yards, not front yards. Again, however, some residents may differ with this decision.
Looking back, the Board of Health tries to insure the health and safety of our Winthrop citizens. Often, the ordinances (smoking, plastic bags, and chicken raising) may be unpopular with some people, but, in the long run, the enforcement of these ordinances often have positive global benefits.
I close by upholding the current chicken and bee ordinance sanctioned by our Winthrop Board of Health. Raising chickens in a front yard isn’t good for the public health of our community.
Lastly, I recall that for about 10 years, my parents raised chickens as well as tended to a large vegetable garden at our home in Pittsburgh, PA. The chicken coop was at the absolute end of our back yard. This is just a matter of consideration for our neighbors and ensuring overall public health.
Thank you.
Donna Segreti Reilly