HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0286.052 2024-2026From: Heather Quintana
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Sent: Thursday, November 13, 2025 1:42 PM
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To: Council Testimony
Subject: Household Henneries Bill
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Aloha Heather Kimball, and council members,
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i am writing to encourage revision of the Household Henneries Bill. While I support the current version of
the bill's intention to expandsustainable, local food production on residential zoned properties, I believe
many of the restrictions are unnecessary. Some are directly at odds with the goal of sustainable food
production; and others make little sense considering the large population of unregulated, unconfined
feral chickens already roaming residential areas.
Confinement: Confinement of chickens to fully enclosed areas can have negative impacts on the health
of the birds. Small enclosed spaces can contribute to disease. On a home -scale the healthiest chickens
are those that have unrestricted access to the outdoors and the ability to engage in more natural
behaviors.
Roosters: Assuming the prohibition of roosters has to do with anticipated noise concerns; the crowing of
roosters is no louder than the barking of dogs which the county does not place restrictions upon. Further,
restriction on roosters makes difficult the sustainability, of a home flock. Producing one's own chicks to
replace older laying hens can only be achieved with a rooster on -site at least temporarily.
Sales: While the sale of eggs should indeed be regulated in regards to food safety, the same rules that
apply to sales of eggs produced on agriculturally zoned properties should suffice. Additionally if
restrictions on number of hens, and prohibitions on roosters stand; it is likely that home henneries may
encounter cockerels misidentified as pullets, or excess birds that are commonly added to orders of
shipped day -old poultry. The ability to recoup portions of an initial investment in this way can alleviate
the bias this bill has favoring wealthier individuals interested in owning poultry.
Mahalo for taking the time to read my testimony, and mahalo for your commitment to sustainable food
production.
Comm.
Ref. To:
Ref. Date 2025
Heather Quintana