Officials may allow ducks to join chickens in village

Village of Grafton residents are one step closer to being able to keep not just chickens but ducks in their yards after the Plan Commission unanimously recommended an ordinance change June 24.

The ordinance, which will go to the Village Board in July for approval, allows a total of four female chickens and/or ducks to be kept in the rural holding district and all single-family zoning districts.

Grafton resident Michael Rosenthal proposed the ordinance change in May so he and his family — a member of which is allergic to chicken eggs — could have what he said is a more ethical and cost-effective way to get their hands on duck eggs.

Rosenthal said a dozen duck eggs cost $10 at the West Bend farmer’s market and can go for more than $15 online.

“With the rising cost of groceries and increasing interest in local food sourcing, having a small, peaceful flock of egg-laying ducks will allow us to provide our household with a fresh, nutritious source of protein,” Rosenthal said in an interview.

In addition to producing eggs, ducks are also a good way to teach children about responsibility and animal husbandry, Rosenthal said, adding that his 9-year-old enjoyed the ducks the family kept at its previous homes outside of Grafton.

“We also hope the ducks can serve as a fun and educational presence for local children who may enjoy learning about animals in a safe, supervised way,” Rosenthal said.

Village President Dan Delorit, who is chairman of the Plan Commission, said the village should be careful not to be too lenient regarding backyard farm animals in the future.

“I think that there’s going to come a time when we’re going to have to say no to some of this,” Delorit said. “I don’t think we’re at that point right now.”

The ordinance allowing chickens to be kept in the village was approved in 2017 and has yet to result in any formal complaints, Village Administrator Jesse Thyes said.

Twelve people currently have permits that allow them to keep chickens in the village, Assistant Village Administrator and Community Development Director Jessica Wolff said.

Grafton’s proposed duck ordinance is modeled closely after a similar ordinance in Oshkosh, which is based on extensive research by UW-Extension, Wolff said.

It would require permit holders to maintain the birds in a sanitary, unattached structure and provide them access to a water feature and 50 square feet of run per bird. It would prohibit the slaughter of the animals and the sale of their eggs without permission from the State of Wisconsin and U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The ordinance would also require that the ducks are not so noisy that they “disturb a person of normal sensitivity.” 

Rosenthal plans to keep female Welsh Harlequin ducks, which are known for their quiet temperament and will withstand harsh Wisconsin winters.

“We’ve already spoken with all our immediate neighbors — those adjacent to and across from us — and they are supportive and even enthusiastic about the idea,” Rosenthal said.

If the duck ordinance is approved, Grafton and Mequon will be the only communities in Ozaukee County that permit the keeping of ducks.