City Council members last night approved an ordinance allowing people to own as many as three egg-laying hens.
The vote was unanimous…even though Councilwoman Sandy Sheedy admitted she's no fan of the foul.
"Chickens aren't my best friends I must tell you. I grew up with them in Porterville. My grandfather had them and I didn't like them then. So I don't want any in my backyard. But that's my choice. And everyone has that choice. I'm willing to give it a chance."
The ordinance will take effect on November 1st. Sheedy says she wants city staff to report back on how it's working out six months after that.
Under the ordinance, people who want to keep chickens will have to get a permit from the city.
They'll also have to keep their birds 20-feet away from neighboring homes and confined in a pen, coop or cage.