Brunswick may let residents raise chickens

BRUNSWICK -- Steve Collings wants Brunswick to join the local food movement by allowing residents to keep a few chickens at home.

Chickens, along with all other livestock, are not allowed in residential areas in Brunswick. That goes counter to the local food movement, Collings said.

"I don't think keeping chickens would ruin our cosmopolitan image," Collings told the City Council in its regular meeting Tuesday night.

Some cities are altering livestock bans to allow households to keep a small number of chickens to supply eggs, Collings said. Often, these ordinances do not allow roosters, to prevent noise and breeding.

If a municipality has an ordinance regarding live chickens, it's usually to ban them, said Jim Peck, director of research for the Maryland Municipal League. "To the extent that they exist, they tend to exclude chickens," he said. "In many places, the law is silent."

Frederick does not allow chickens or other livestock in residential areas within the city. Thurmont, however, has no such livestock ban.

A small community in Wicomico County allows one domesticated livestock per 15,000 square feet, and it does allow chickens. The city of Salisbury, however, does not allow chickens in residential areas, Peck said.

"There is a trend in increased interest in locally produced food," said Stanley Foltz, director of Frederick County Cooperative Extension. "The thing that would concern me is the health risk."

While small residential flocks of chickens don't usually have avian flu, they can be carriers, Foltz said.

Collings suggested Brunswick allow a small number of chickens for egg purposes, as well as for 4-H projects.

Mayor Carroll Jones said the council will consider his request.

"I'd be interested in learning more about it," said Councilman Jeremy Biser.

"Chickens can be quite a problem," said Councilman Tom Smith. "Once you open the door for chickens, pigs can be right behind. They can be more trouble than people think."

No trucks

The council approved a ban on trucks more than 1 ton on Ninth Avenue and East B Street. Trucks that use those streets often get stuck. Signs will be posted.

Instead, large trucks will be re-directed onto Souder Road. Large trucks making local deliveries will still be allowed on Ninth Avenue and East B Street.

Safe and Sane

The council voted to provide $250 for the Brunswick High School Safe and Sane graduation committee. Kevin McCarthy, chairman of the fundraising group, asked for $500, but Councilman Tom Smith said the council gave $100 last year, along with $100 to a golf tournament to raise money for the committee.

Copyright 2008 The Frederick News-Post. All rights reserved.