There's lot of "clucking" among members of the Madison City Council. They have decided to expand the city's chicken raising ordinance to allow people who live in multi-family residences with four or fewer units to keep the birds in their backyard. Alderwoman Marsha Rummel says four chickens are allowed per lot, with the approval of the landlord and notification of neighbors within 200 feet.
The chicken raisers would need to keep the animals in a fenced enclosure and no slaughter would be allowed on site. Still, Alderwoman Judy Compton says it's a health hazard as bird owners will not be able to control animal waste from flying over to neighboring property.
"How are you going to keep that (feces) off my side of the lot?" says Compton.
People living in single-family homes have been allowed to raise chickens since 2004. A license to keep chickens costs $10 a year. Roosters are not allowed.
(Contributed by Jason Fischer-WIBA)