Residents with chickens will have to get rid of them

After a final hearing, the Oklahoma City City Council decided Tuesday to reestablish a ban on urban chickens.In the past, an ordinance required chicken owners to have at least 1 acre of land. However, the City Council accidentally reversed that ordinance in December 2013.Under the new ban, anyone who has a backyard chicken they purchased in the last six months will be required to get rid of it within three months.“The reasons that the council didn’t want them, or some council members, was fear from residents about having chickens next door to them, maybe the smell or the sound of the chickens,” Oklahoma City PIO Kristy Yager said. “They were concerned about quality-of-life issues.”After three months, the city said it will start writing citations, and residents could face up to a $500 fine.But some urban chicken owners aren’t happy with the council’s decision.“It’s like having a dog, it’s my pet now, and I don’t want to say bye to my pets, I’ve had them for three years and I wouldn’t let them go anyway,” said Jessica Thompson, who has two backyard chickens. “It’s quite frustrating because they’re good for the environment, especially for our home, they eat lots of bugs and provide food.”Crime footer

After a final hearing, the Oklahoma City City Council decided Tuesday to reestablish a ban on urban chickens.

In the past, an ordinance required chicken owners to have at least 1 acre of land. However, the City Council accidentally reversed that ordinance in December 2013.


Under the new ban, anyone who has a backyard chicken they purchased in the last six months will be required to get rid of it within three months.

“The reasons that the council didn’t want them, or some council members, was fear from residents about having chickens next door to them, maybe the smell or the sound of the chickens,” Oklahoma City PIO Kristy Yager said. “They were concerned about quality-of-life issues.”

After three months, the city said it will start writing citations, and residents could face up to a $500 fine.

But some urban chicken owners aren’t happy with the council’s decision.

“It’s like having a dog, it’s my pet now, and I don’t want to say bye to my pets, I’ve had them for three years and I wouldn’t let them go anyway,” said Jessica Thompson, who has two backyard chickens. “It’s quite frustrating because they’re good for the environment, especially for our home, they eat lots of bugs and provide food.”