GRAND RAPIDS -- The Beerhorst family chickens are gaining political support in City Hall.

Mayor George Heartwell and two city commissioners representing the Eastown family said Tuesday they favor adopting an ordinance allowing urban chickens.

Meanwhile, the city's top housing inspector said that Rick and Brenda Beerhorst's five hens can stay in their backyard roost, while commissioners debate an ordinance that could allow them to stay.

Neighborhood Improvement Director James Hurt said he will suspend enforcement of the Oct. 13 notice of complaint issued to the Beerhorsts.

The notice, which threatened enforcement steps after Sunday if the chickens remains, has been suspended pending the outcome of a City Commission discussion, Hurt said.

The topic should appear on a City Commission agenda within the next month, he said.

Heartwell said he and his family enjoyed raising chickens when they lived on a hobby farm near Lowell. He wants to allow the practice within city limits.

"The Beerhorsts are not the only people in Grand Rapids who have chickens in their backyard today," he said. "We're going to create the space through our planning department to talk about this issue."

Second Ward Commissioners David LaGrand and Rosalynn Bliss also support a chicken ordinance.

"I think it's consistent with our vision for the city," Bliss said.

LaGrand said he wants to allow urban chickens without creating a cumbersome permit process.

"It seems to be that every argument against them is theoretical at best," said LaGrand, adding he would favor "common sense" restrictions on noisy roosters and odors from manure.

Meanwhile, the Beerhorsts said they are heartened by the community support since news of their chickens' situation appeared in The Press on Monday.

"I did three radio interviews this morning before my oldest teenager was out of bed," Rick Beerhorst said.

The Facebook page his wife dedicated to the issue has more than 300 friends, so far.

At least 25 major U.S. cities have developed chicken keeping ordinances in recent years, according to city Planning Director Suzanne Schulz.

The city currently classifies chickens as farm animals.

E-mail Jim Harger: jharger@grpress.com