Oh my goodness! This is regulation without regard. If these are hens, they make no noise. The waste can be composted and they give you eggs. None of that can be said for dogs, yet they're allowed with few restrictions. Tended chickens have little, if any, odor and don't draw pests. Add the therapy benefit to the autistic child and this ruling borders on lunacy. Sounds like a case of code enforcement without any consideration of the circumstances. Surely there is a mechanism for this family to apply for a variance; it's truly a pity that they have to do that.