Probationary Poultry

The Colonel fought the chickens, but it looks like the chickens won.

“I do understand that the battle is lost,” said Cedar Rapids Council member Chuck “The Colonel” Wieneke, conceding that there are now enough council votes to approve a backyard chicken test run in the city.

“I've warned these guys. As far as I'm concerned, you're a chicken council,” he said, laughing. Wieneke is a former farm boy with less-than-fond memories of chicken duty.

A week from now, the council is expected to approve a one-year period of poultry probation, allowing 50 households to raise six or fewer hens in a backyard coop. It has the support of five or six on the nine-member council.

Last week, the chicken saga took a dramatic turn. Council members Chuck Swore and Justin Shields abruptly joined the pro-chicken ranks. That left The Colonel's chicken fighters depleted and battered.

So what turned the tide?

“I finally had a chance to do a little research on my own,” said Shields, who looked at other communities, such as Des Moines and Ames, where chickens are allowed. “It's not really as big a deal as people tend to make it.”

I agree. Lately, if someone claimed backyard chickens are part of a socialist, U.N. plot, I would not be surprised.

Swore offered a concise explanation in an e-mail. “Persistence and politeness win every time,” he wrote.

Even The Colonel admits his egg-loving adversaries had a sound battle plan. Cedar Rapids Citizens for the Legalization of Urban Chickens, or CR CLUC, waged a textbook lobbying effort. Pleasantly pushy.

“They have my compliments,” Wieneke said.

The push started after last fall's election. Instead of showing up at every council meeting to peck at opponents, CLUC came every four or six weeks in its signature bright yellow T-shirts to make its case. Someone different spoke every time.

“You can overdo it,” said Rebecca Mumaw, a CLUC leader. “Coming to every meeting, it becomes like white noise.”

Behind the scenes, the group e-mailed council members, part sales pitch, part education. Over time, CLUC turned the tide. It's a model for others to follow.

But even in victory, there are regrets.

“I'm not really fond of the chicken lady title,” Mumaw said. “It's really about local food.”

It's also about government letting people live their lives and pursue their passions without a bunch of interference. Vibrant towns make room for folks to take a few harmless steps away from the status quo.

And despite all the online clucking about chicken calamaties, I don't think the trial will ruffle many feathers. I bet the hens are here to stay.

Comments: (319) 398-8452; todd.dorman@gazcomm.com