Can you imagine how frustrating it is to feel as though you're doing something pro-active and good for the earth only to learn that not only are your efforts unappreciated, but also a cause for criticism?

Earlier this month we told you about a Sacramento couple who received a citation from local officials for refusing to water their lawn. The reason? They were trying to conserve water in the wake of a drought announcement. Now comes the story of a family in the UK who may be evicted from their home for keeping 25 chickens that provide eggs and help reduce waste by eating kitchen scraps. Local town officials say the chickens do not classify as pets and therefore the family must get rid of them or get out.

Matthew Everitt and Michelle Hodgetts raise the chickens and planted their own garden as a source of fruits and vegetables in an effort to be more self-sufficient as food costs rise. Ironically Rugby, Warwicks, the town where they live, is working on ways to promote eco-friendly living in the area, tossing around ideas such as a new recycling program. Michelle says the decision to evict doesn't jive with the green message the town council is trying to spread.

“We are always being encouraged to do our bit for the environment and we are being penalised for doing it,” she said. “We are trying to set an example to our generation and then this happens. I just think it’s ludicrous. The chickens are part of our family now and we give them five-star treatment, which they will not enjoy if they are taken elsewhere. As the cost of living seems to increase every day, we are trying to keep costs down by keeping chickens and growing our own fruit and vegetables. However, it seems our council doesn’t share the same view.”

To properly follow the town rules, the family would need to obtain permission to keep their chickens and could only keep a maximum of six of them. Yes, rules are established for reasons. Neighbors aren't a fan of the chicken smell and are concerned with health and safety issues. But let's be real here. The chickens are kept in an enclosure, not running around the yard in some kind of poultry free-for-all. What a discouraging message to those who are actually trying to make an effort to be more green and share that message with their kids. Sometimes you're lucky if you can get families to throw their cardboard in a recycling bin, let alone live off food they grow. If region's like this are serious about promoting a green lifestyle, maybe these families should be used as positive examples instead of being criticized and threatened.

» Daily Express