Bogie Shooter |
06-22-2012 03:16 PM |
Chickens Now
Orlando is clucking over a new pilot program that will allow residents to keep "urban chickens" in backyard coops.
City officials say they've been henpecked by earthy-crunchy homeowners who want fresh eggs free of chemicals and pesticides. So Monday, the City Council approved a test program to allow pet chickens at 25 homes in three of Orlando's six City Council districts.
"It's a way to bring a little bit of farming into the big city," said Colonialtown North resident Lindsay Hodges, who approached her city commissioner about changing Orlando's no-chicken policy.
So-called urban chickens are allowed in 11 cities in Florida, including St. Petersburg, Lakeland, Miami and, of course, Key West. But Orlando is the first in Central Florida; Oviedo may be known for roaming chickens, but those birds are outlaws.
"The amount of requests for this is just amazing," Mudge said. "Orlando is loaded with pet parakeets and pigeons and other birds, but for some reason, we discriminate against chickens."
That changes — at least for now — under what City Hall is officially calling the Urban Chickens Pilot Program.
The first 25 households to meet city requirements will be allowed to keep as many as three hens. (Roosters and their early-morning crowing remain unwelcome in the City Beautiful.) More than a dozen people have already signed up, including Commissioner Patty Sheehan, who championed the proposal.
Urban chickens: Orlando approves urban chicken pilot program - Orlando Sentinel
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