Mercer Co. family gets rid of hens to supply eggs

GREENVILLE, Pa. (AP) — A western Pennsylvania family has abided by a judge’s order to get rid of six hens they were keeping in their back yard to produce organic eggs.

The Huff family of Greenville wanted the eggs because they’re free of hormones and pesticides which can be unhealthy. In particular, the eggs were meant to benefit the mother, Kim Huff, who has multiple sclerosis, and one of her four children, 12-year-old Daniel, who is autistic.

But Greenville, in Mercer County, has an ordinance banning farm animals from residential property. The ordinance lets people keep such animals if they can prove it’s necessary for health reasons, a judge says the Huffs didn’t do that.

The Huffs won’t appeal, and are seeking others locally with an interest in organic livestock.