By Jonathan Copsey / STAFF

Roswell finally decided to stop clucking around and get something done about its chickens.

Showing that birds of a feather do indeed flock together, chicken supporters came out in force to last week’s Roswell Council Meeting to hear discussion and give input on a proposed revision of the city’s chicken ordinances.

Roswell’s chicken debate came about earlier this year, when Andrew Wordes was cited by Code Enforcement for keeping chickens on his property, brought about by a neighbor’s complaint. He challenged the citation, saying not only are the chickens his pets, but Roswell law allows the keeping of chickens.

After several months of legal wrangling, Wordes was allowed the keep his chickens and Roswell went away vowing to more clearly define who can have chickens and where, as well as just how many should be allowed.

In typical city-think, the number 25 was reached. That’s the most chickens anyone in the city can have, regardless of property size. A further 15 can be added through special permit, although large birds such as geese and turkeys will not be allowed.

Tell that to Wordes and his roughly 200 birds that live on his one-acre property.

“I wouldn’t be allowed anything outside my house,” he complained to Council.

Many of the people who came out in support of keeping chickens admitted to owning just a few – no more than a dozen, and often less than 10. While some admitted concerns over how the city came to the number 25, they were content that it was a big enough number to satisfy themselves, and small enough to satisfy those who think chickens have no place in a city.

“If you want to have a farm, go out into the country and have a farm,” said Keith Badalanente, who lives next to Wordes and is opposed to keeping chickens in the city. “This is not the place to have a farm.”

“Quite frankly it looks like it should be in a ghetto,” said Ted Gumm of Wordes’ yard, citing “deplorable conditions.”

“A gobbling turkey at all times is as much of a nuisance as a barking dog,” he added. “The difference is you can make a neighbor take a dog inside. But you can’t make him take a turkey or chicken inside.”

Many of the pro-chicken people disagreed.

“A responsible rooster owner will bring them in at night. That just makes sense,” said Tamara Barhar. “You want to get along with your neighbors. Just like dog owners… [they are] not a nuisance. They are cute and cuddly. Most of my roosters will fall asleep in my arms. Like lapdogs.” To prove her point of just how passive the fowl were, she arrived cradling one in her arms, her little daughter carrying another, neither bird making so much as a peep during the length of the meeting.

Wordes himself claimed as much – that chickens are no problem – and specifically took issue with the number cap. He introduced a small box to the Council members that contained several small “button chickens,” each about the size of a fist. He could have fit 25 of these fowl in that box.

“I think there are enough laws on the books already controlling any situation that may arise,” Wordes said. Through noise ordinances, smell ordinances and city code, there should be more than enough leeway for a city to crack down on irresponsible poultry owners, he claimed.

Councilman Rich Dippolito, who introduced the new regulations, had the final word on the issue, saying he was in favor of people raising chickens, so long as they were responsible.

“I like the idea of supporting urban agriculture in Roswell. That is something that is coming forward throughout the country and it is something that we have to address,” he said. “The intent is not to have a chicken farm on someone’s property.”

He added, “It’s not the responsible people we have to be concerned about. It’s the less responsible ones.”

The amendment passed unanimously.