5 Chickens in a Brentwood Backyard for 3 Years: Owner Just Learned They're not Allowed

Brentwood resident and backyard chicken keeper Angie Hulshoff, in the 8700 block of Rosalie Avenue, has had chickens for three years. She said she was told by a city official at the time it was OK.

Recently someone complained, and she learned there’s an ordinance against keeping chickens. Now she wants to do all she can to keep her birds.

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“I love what it teaches my kids,” she said. “Learning to care for animals teaches them empathy and compassion. What’s more important than that?”

She started out with two hens, and now has five.

“They give us these delicious eggs that don’t even compare to store-bought eggs,” she said. “It’s such a win-win, win-win-win.”

The board of aldermen on Monday voted to let her keep the chickens until there is a ruling on possibly overturning the ordinance. The topic is on the Public Works agenda for Wednesday’s meeting.

Also in Patch:

• Meet the Patch Chickens
• VIDEO: Chickens Get Care From Young MRH Researchers
• Chicken-Keepers Flock to Maplewood Chickenfest