Staff writer
Jason and Tiffany Ivy moved to Marion with three children, two dogs, two chickens, and a half dozen ducks. It’s unclear, however, whether their quacking family members will be able to remain.
Jason appeared before city members Monday to request a waiver to the city’s ordinance regarding fowl, which only allows chickens.
“I have a severe allergic reaction to chicken eggs,” Tiffany said. “It feels like a kick in the stomach and progresses from there.”
She can have chicken eggs in baked goods but doesn’t dare eat them poached, fried, scrambled, over-easy, or any other way. Duck eggs play a big part in her diet, but without a private supply of them, they can be more expensive and are hard to find.
“I grew up with birds,” Tiffany said, “I really, really like duck eggs.”
Jason told council members that he understood ducks could be dirty animals. The Ivys have already installed a French drain in the duck’s “New Yolk City” area, and Jason said he makes sure to clean their pen first thing, every morning before he goes to work.
“We had them for a year when we lived in Hillsboro, and no one said anything,” Tiffany said. “When we came here, we didn’t think anything of it. We just assumed we could have them because it’s a small rural town.”
The ducks seem to provide the Ivys’ twin sons, Evan and Eli, and daughter, Evelyn, a good learning experience. All help water and feed them.
“I usually give then carrots,” Eli said. Evan added: “I named one duck Dots because it has dots on it.”
Council members took no action on the action on the request for a waiver.
Council member Chris Costello wanted to do a drive-by to assess the condition of the ducks’ area. City Administer Roger Holter suggested that the Ivys provide a medical affidavit of Tiffany’s allergy.
City attorney Susan Robson said it probably would be necessary to amend the ordinance.
She plans to have that amendment or other recommendation ready by July 31.