Palo prepared to allow backyard chickens

Chickens could soon cross the road into Palo.

While its neighbors to the southeast still try to convince the Cedar Rapids City Council to consider a backyard chicken ordinance, Palo could have a measure passed before the end of the month.

The Palo City Council is poised to pass the third and final reading May 24 to allow residents in the town of 900 to have up to four chickens, with no roosters.

Mayor John Harris said the first two readings passed with little opposition.

One man was concerned about a lung disease that can be traced to mold from poultry manure, he said, but the five Council members unanimously passed the second reading Monday night.

Harris said a petition with about 25 names was presented to the council earlier this year, which noted that other communities have passed similar ordinances.

Madison, Wis., New York and Seattle allow backyard chickens, as does Iowa's largest city. Des Moines residents can have two poultry or fowl, which must be kept in a pen or coop at least 25 feet from a neighboring dwelling.

Advocates say backyard chickens provide access to healthy and wholesome food. Chickens eat weeds and bugs, and free-range chicken eggs are said to have a higher nutrient content than store-bought eggs.

The issue has been put on hold in Iowa City, though backers are still hoping for a trial run in Cedar Rapids.

Harris, who does not have a vote as mayor, said he would have cast a dissenting vote had he been able.

The town was devastated by the Floods of 2008 and Harris said he sees other priorities.

“I'd rather debate things like storm water drainage and flood control and rebuilding from the flood,” he said. “We still have a long way to go with flood recovery.”