Feathers fly as Lehigh Acres residents challenge county chicken restrictions

LEHIGH ACRES, Fla. —

Aiden Fagan, a resident of Lehigh Acres, loves chickens and believes they help make bad days better.

"I don't understand why adults don't like chickens. They help make bad days better," Fagan said.

Fagan shared how he earned the trust of his chickens so they would jump on his shoulder and cuddle with him, providing comfort after bad days at school. "So all I had to do is earn their trust so they would jump on my shoulder and cuddle with me, and I would have bad days at school. Then I would come home and they would help me," he said.

Chickens are not only good to eat but are also great for pest control and emotional support.

That's why some Lehigh Acres residents want Lee County to let them have hens in their backyard.

Bo McMahon, CEO of Southern Fresh Farms in Fort Myers, is not against people having their own chickens but emphasizes the responsibility involved.

"Like it's not just something where you can just go get chickens, set them out in the yard and let them go? They need to be properly cared for, especially in town, different areas. There's a lot of things that go to it and I just I hope before you commit to getting a chicken, do your research. Go online find out all the things needed to properly care for chickens," McMahon said.

Proper care includes having the right amount of land, covered areas to protect hens from predators, and providing food and water.

Marina Church, another Lehigh Acres resident, had chickens until she received a $5,000 fine to remove them. "Why we don't have the rights. Why Fort Myers and Bonita? They have that choice to have chickens. They have that right. None of the five commissioners live in Lehigh Acres. In our beautiful, look at this beautiful green Lehigh. None of them live here," Church said.

Church will be meeting with District 5 Commissioner Trish Petrosky next week to discuss the matter.

She is advocating for residents to be allowed to house only hens, no roosters. "It can be small amount, maybe ten hens. Let's start from that. What do you need for your household? You don't need eggs for sale. You need to provide for yourself. So that's what I'm standing for," Church said.

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