Chickens

SYRACUSE — The urban sprawl into this farming community has created a developing controversy regarding the kinds and number of animals allowed in areas.

City officials have wrestled with proposed changes to Title 10 of city code in regard to animals, and a proposed outline of new revisions unveiled Tuesday left some people at odds.

PLAIN CITY -- Changes to the livestock and fowl ordinance make owning birds less restrictive than it has been in the past.

OAKLAND, Calif. -- Two cousins ages 9 and 12 face animal cruelty charges after police said they broke into a community garden at Alameda Point and bludgeoned 11 chickens to death with a shovel.

SOUTH OGDEN — Council members voted unanimously recently not to allow chickens within city limits.

“I’m not sure we could enforce it to be fair to the neighbors,” Councilwoman Sallee Orr said. “I’m just a little nervous about being able to enforce the upkeep of chickens and keep the raccoons and rats at bay.”

The question of whether chickens could be kept was brought before the council several weeks ago by resident Jake Peart.

CENTERVILLE -- Centerville is considering increasing the number of chickens allowed in single-family residential areas.

NORTH OGDEN -- Although it is not official, the city council is proposing residents in single-family zones can have up to 10 chickens per half-acre and up to 15 per half-acre to 1-acre property.

The original recommendation was six chickens per acre, with no more than 60 chickens total.

NORTH OGDEN -- Residents weren't shy at a recent city council meeting about expressing their views on keeping chickens in residential neighborhoods.

The council chambers were full with residents, most of whom not only want chickens, but they want more than the six the ordinance is suggesting.