(Radio Iowa) – After push-back on a previously proposed 10 bird limit on the number of pigeons that could be kept at a Storm Lake residence, city officials are considering a 100 bird limit. During a meeting last month, a family that raises and races homing pigeons told the Storm Lake City Council they often have 80 birds on their property. Longtime resident Dan Maier says Storm Lake had problems in the 1980s and ’90s with pigeon and crow droppings — and it will be a problem again if up to 100 birds are allowed at a single property.

Storm Lake Racing Pigeon Club (Facebook photo)

Daryle Saltzgiver, president of the Missouri River Flyers pigeon racing club, disputes the idea that homing pigeons spread respiratory illnesses.

Storm Lake City Council member Meg McKeon says she’s learned a lot about homing pigeons in the past couple of months.

Storm Lake officials are preparing an ordinance for pigeons that’s like one Sioux City has had for decades. A public hearing on the ordinance will be held at the next council meeting on November 4th.