“All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.” – Edmund Burke
It might be a stretch to assume that preventing Billings citizens from providing their own food in the form of a few backyard egg-producing hens is actually “evil”… but then again, it’s something to think about. Since when is responsible pet ownership (with notable financial and health benefits) something to even seriously consider legislating AGAINST?
You cannot let the fear and worry over something that MIGHT happen, problems that have NOT proven to be legitimate in the hundreds of other cities across our nation who have blazed this trail before us, prevent a city’s citizens from being self-sufficient in any part.
Edmund Burke also wrote, “No passion so effectually robs the mind of all its powers of acting and reasoning as fear.”
My point? If you have been hesitant to email the city council (council@ci.billings.mt.us) and Mayor (HanelT@ci.billings.mt.us) because of fears of reprisal, please think about it… there are hundreds of people in the Billings area who either already are enjoying the benefits of backyard hens and who live in fear of discovery, or who would like to have them without that fear. If we do nothing and say nothing, the council and Mayor will not know the true feelings and desires of their VOTING CONSTITUENCY.
We have to stand up to be counted. We *don’t* have to admit to having backyard chickens already to do so… and in fact, there is serious question over whether or not the urban hen issue is really as “against code” as the city might be interpreting it at this time. There are over 125 people in the Billings Backyard Hen Initiative, either by active participation, signed petition, or indicated support. This number is growing weekly. There is both strength and safety in numbers!
Hensforth!! (“>
mywesternhome
Get Your Hen On, Billings! 
Posted by Catherine Lynch on July 24, 2011 at 12:33 am
Well stated and so very true. Those of us who normally don’t like to rock the boat need to stand up and be counted and by all of us doing so, no one gets singled out. We need to show the city council, whether we ever want hens in our backyards ourselves or not, that we don’t think it is right to prevent others from doing so. Especially since what the BBHI is proposing is so much better than what we have now…total ambiguity and confusion.
May the Flock be with you! 🙂
Cat