Should chickens be allowed within the city limits of Warsaw? That is the question that will be answered by the Warsaw Common Council Monday night.

StaceyPageOnline.com asked Facebook followers to weigh in on whether the city leaders should allow egg laying hens, or limit the fowl to unincorporated areas. The overwhelming majority of our followers who responded say they are in favor of allowing urban chickens, but with some rules and regulations.

As the proposed ordinance is now written, those who would like to have hens — no roosters will be permitted — would be required to complete a class on hen raising and then obtain a permit. They would also be subjected to regulations on chicken coops. (See related)

Andrew Robinson is a proponent of urban chickens noting, “We are 100% behind the idea. I agree with the training and permit process they have proposed to keep things in line. I think the pros greatly outweigh the cons … some of the most progressive and cutting edge cities in the country allow this.”

Karen Nye agreed, “The backyard chicken can be a very good thing with a well-written ordinance … Five backyard chickens can yield potentially five eggs per day in the peak season which could give at least a dozen to a couple families per week.”

“It is great for families to learn to care for farm type animals and receive the rewards from doing so such as meat and or eggs, especially kids!” said Craig Bailey. “Too many grow up not knowing the rewards of responsibility and what a good way to start out learning young”

Sirenna McDonald is another supporter of the proposal, but explained, “I think, as with other things in life, there will be those that abide by the rules involved with owning and caring for chickens and those that can potentially ruin it for everyone else.”

Nye, who expressed her support of the urban chickens ordinance, is also realistic about the idea noting, “Allowing backyard chickens will put more burden on code enforcement and probably your local humane society. There needs to be a consideration of disposal of chickens, whether it be the ones that die or the disposal of the parts of the chicken that aren’t used for food.”

Among those who oppose the idea is Trisha Rhoades who added, “[W]e could see an influx of raccoons, fox, etc. Where there are chickens and eggs to be had, they will come.

“My only concern is for chickens who get bought because they are cute as chicks, mishandled by families and later neglected,” Rhoades also noted. “It takes a lot of money and time to properly care for chicks and hens. [P]eople will probably shirk education and licensing making the aforementioned a stronger likelihood.”