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Residents may raise up to six chickens, as supporters cite the advantage of having backyard food sources.

By TOM BELL Staff Writer February 19, 2009

PORTLAND — The City Council is giving residents of Maine's largest city the right to raise chickens.

The council voted 7-1 Wednesday to remove its long-standing ban on chickens and allow people to keep up to six hens within city limits. Roosters, though, would not be allowed.

The vote came after an intense lobbying campaign. Some councilors received more than 150 e-mails, most in favor of the measure. Supporters filling the council's chambers applauded when the measure passed.

An even dozen proponents of the measure spoke, and most said the issue is much bigger than a few chickens.

They said the measure is part of a broader movement to create a situation in which food sources are found as close to home as possible. The idea is to reduce emissions generated when food is transported long distances.

Moreover, the chicken supporters said, people have more security when food sources are local.

"This brings us one step closer to sustainability -- an idea that appeals to us all," said Lori Power of the Portland Maine Permaculture Meetup Group.

She noted that chickens have multiple uses: They eat all kind of garden pests, and their manure can be used as fertilizer.

"They provide breakfast as well," she said.

Mary Hart, who lives on South Street, said her family was disappointed five years ago upon learning that chickens were not allowed in the city. They bought 21 gerbils instead.

"They are not nearly as satisfying," she said. "I think we can do quite well with chickens and take care of them."

Payson Robinson, 14, of Great Diamond Island, launched the effort a year ago when he wrote to Councilor Kevin Donoghue about his family's desire to raise chickens. They had bought some hens but had to sell them after someone on the island complained to the city.

The family now plans to get six hens this spring. The chicken coop is in the design phase.

"I'm thrilled," Payson said after the council vote. "I can't wait for the eggs."

The council also agreed to reduce the proposed fee for owning chickens. The plan called for a $12-per-chicken fee. That would have made owning a chicken more expensive than owning a dog, the only other animal for which the city charges fees. It's $11 for dogs that have not been spayed or neutered.

After much debate, the council agreed to charge a flat fee of $25, whether a family has one chicken or six.

Councilor Daniel Skolnik said chickens depend on each other to keep warm in the winter and do better when they are in large groups.

"The more of them, the happier they are," he said. "I want to encourage folks. If you are going to spend 25 bucks to get two chickens, go ahead and get six."

The council also debated how far away chicken coops should be from neighbors. In the end, a majority favored requiring them to be kept 20 feet from neighboring houses and at least 5 feet from the property line.

The ordinance stipulates that chicken owners must provide proper pens that offer both sun and shade and keep out rodents and predators. The pens must be covered with aviary netting or a solid roof. Manure must be stored in a 20-gallon, covered container.

Councilor John Coyne cast the only vote against the chicken ordinance.

Portland is just the latest municipality to pass a chicken ordinance. Last fall, Falmouth removed all legal barriers to chickens in backyards. South Portland did the same in 2007. Biddeford and Westbrook also allow the raising of chickens for personal use.

Staff Writer Tom Bell can be contacted at 791-6369 or at:

tbell@pressherald.com.