A woman from Atlantic appeared before the City Council Wednesday evening to ask that a portion of the City Ordinance pertaining to livestock within the City Limits, be amended to allow chickens. Jill Scarf, who lives in the 12th and Cedar Street area of Atlantic made the request. Under the current ordinance, poultry is listed as one of the types of animals not allowed in the City.

Scarf said there many benefits to having chickens, and they help to produce food security for lower income families. She said also their are health benefits to have chickens locally raised. Scarf addressed the issue of smell, by saying she doesn’t want to see large flocks in the city, just a few per family who want to raise them in a properly confined area.

Another concern is noise. She said chickens aren’t that noisy. “Most hens just cluck or feed quietly throughout the day, and then when it gets dusk, they go to sleep at night.” She said even if a rooster crowed at sunrise, it would not be as noisy as some dogs who bark in town. Scarf said many cities in Iowa and across the county are allowing chickens, while others are considering the matter.

According to a report in the Des Moines Register, the City of Des Moines allows up to 30 chickens on residential properties anywhere in the city with several conditions, including distance and cleanliness standards. Johnston allows two chickens on properties larger than a half-acre. Windsor Heights allows two chickens on any residential property. Ankeny, Altoona, Urbandale and Waukee do not allow chickens in residential neighborhoods.

The public’s interest in raising chickens saw an increase during the Bird Flu crisis, when prices for poultry and eggs spiked. The City Council didn’t seem to object to the idea of allowing chickens, and agreed to forward the matter to the Community Protection Committee for discussion and a recommendation.