Fowl soon could be fair game in Prince William County — though the debate has gone on for more than half a year.
County supervisors are weighing a measure that would allow citizens to keep chickens on residential property, an issue that has been in the works since February.
Trying to handle the issue over the entire county, with both urban and rural areas, has a lot of implications, said Supervisor John Stirrup, R-Gainesville, who suggested the measure.
County staff and Planning Commission recommendations differ slightly; the Planning Commission would allow chickens on properties under two acres within the county’s rural area, whereas staff recommended that all properties should have to be at least two acres.
Two emus, ostriches and similar large birds would be allowed on parcels of at least two acres, but less than 10 acres.
“We’re not asking for mega-farms on one-acre tracts,” said Victor Cole, a county resident and member of a group of about 50 people who are lobbying for the change to the county code. “For me, this has turned into a lot more than chickens — it’s property rights at this point.”
Cole was cited after his chickens had an incident with a neighbor’s dog late last year and he was forced to get rid of them, he said.
“The chicken side of it is really [the] most prominent voice in the debate,” said county spokesman Jason Grant. He listed the “pro” arguments that residents cite: chickens lay eggs, they eat small bugs, and people can use their waste as compost material.
Cole said that raising one’s own food could mitigate problems like salmonella poisoning, which prompted a recent, massive egg recall.
“People are doing some remarkable things with creating good, solid, edible things on agricultural land,” he said.
The measure has been pushed back to a public hearing Oct. 5.
Stirrup said he was “hopeful” it would get resolved then.
“The issue has really taken on a life of its own,” he said
