Batavia family first to get approval of backyard chicken operation

Batavia’s first family of backyard egg-laying hens has passed inspection with flying colors.

“I am all for living sustainably,” Holly Kammes said Wednesday, as she whisked a couple of fresh eggs for her breakfast.

Kammes and her family managed to raise a variety of breeds, including Barred Rocks and the rare blue egg-laying Araucana, in their southwest side backyard with little attention.

Kammes’ chickens are the first flock to get the seal of approval by the city building department, after aldermen last month voted 9 to 5 — after considerable debate — to allow residents to keep up to eight hens on properties zoned and occupied for single family residential. The amendments to city code require owners to register prior to acquiring chickens, but registration forms are not accepted until the coop has passed final inspection by a city building inspector.

City Building Commissioner Jeff Albertson, said Kammes’ chickens were the city’s first inspection, while others are in the process of seeking approval. Kammes’ chickens were also among the few that had 30 days to bring their property into compliance.

“They passed the inspection,” Albertson said Tuesday. “We never thought there would be a huge rash of people. We knew there would be some.”

Albertson said the building department has received two applications for a chicken coop permit.

“The hens are a great way for my boys to learn about sustainability and doing chores,” Kammes said. “I have wonderful neighbors; my neighbor closest to the coop actually comes out and greets them with ‘Good morning girls!’ My other neighbor said she doesn’t hear them too often but when she does it reminds her of childhood. All my neighbors enjoy the eggs.

“There is some knowledge owners need to acquire, but raising hens is easier than raising the family dog; they can be trained and make wonderful family pets,” said Kammes, whose family has lived in Batavia for four generations.

Kammes, an organic vegetable gardener, discovered chicken droppings were as “precious” for adding nutrients to her garden soil as fresh eggs are for her family.

Kammes will share her knowledge as a chicken keeper and gardener from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday during the fourth annual Batavia MainStreet Green Walk, held along Wilson Street in the downtown, to raise awareness of the art of going green.