RIB MOUNTAIN, WI (WSAU-WAOW) — A Rib Mountain resident is beginning a movement to allow backyard chickens in the town.
Petition organizer Emily Ramthun says she sees plenty of benefits to allowing the animals, though she knows many do have concerns. “It has a lot more benefits than nuisances and the cons of having chickens would be,” she told WAOW TV.
Her proposal would mirror Wausau’s which only allows residents to keep hens. Roosters, which are known to be much noisier than their female counterparts, would not be allowed. “Based on the size of Rib Mountain and how close the houses are together, we wouldn’t want our neighbors to be annoyed or disband the neighborly aspect,” she said.
At least one resident that’s opposed to the measure declined an interview on camera but said they feel chickens are more suited to be kept in rural settings instead of in the city. Ramthun says she’s also heard that argument as she’s worked to gather petition signatures.
She has already surpassed her original goal of 50 signatures and plans to turn the petition over to the town later this summer. no action on the town’s part is imminent, but she does expect there will be ample opportunity for public comment.
“It’s really right now making sure that we get those signatures to show a lot of interest,” she said.
Wausau narrowly passed an ordinance in 2017. Plover does not allow urban chickens and recently voted to keep that ordinance in place.
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