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Fairhaven Family Battling Town, Neighbors to Keep Their Home-Grown Chickens

John Eagan

Story Created: Aug 14, 2008 at 5:49 PM EDT

Story Updated: Aug 14, 2008 at 5:49 PM EDT

A Bay State family, feeling the economic pinch just like the rest of us, has found a unique way to save money.  That is until their community stepped in and started crying "fowl".

The Vliet family of Fairhaven has 12 chickens that are clucking and walking around their yard.  They were raised and cared for by Kate and John and their 3-year old son.  They believe in eating organic and conserving water.  Harvesting the chickens' eggs are part of that plan.

But now they are entrenched in an all out battle with the town of Fairhaven.  They want the chickens out, saying the Vliet's actions "endanger the public health, safety and welfare, and constitute a public nuisance."

No one from the town would talk with ABC 6 Thursday because of the pending court case, and neither would any of the Vliet's neighbors, those who complained, worrying about rats and strange smells. 

ABC 6 reporter Parker Gavigan has the story...

Friday, Aug 15 at 4:29 AM marcia wrote ...

i say it is our right to grow our food! eat fresh,eat local. besides the money saved it also helps to insure the food is not contanminated,anyone watching national news about food recalls and illness ?? marcia johnston

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Friday, Aug 15 at 3:55 AM Cynda Williams wrote ...

I am sure the Fairhaven BoH is aware keeping chickens (and other fowl) reduces deer tick populations in the area where the birds are allowed to range. Ticks are a real threat to health b/c they carry lyme disease. Removing ticks from the environment will help improve the overall general health of the neighborhood. Let the Vliet's have their chickens so their son learns vegetables come from the earth, eggs come from chickens and a family can grow food in their own yard. Yea! Slow Food!

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