Feather bedding

Chickens may soon find a home in Pittsburgh

Uncle Sam wants you … to raise chickens. At least he did in 1918, when the U.S. Department of Agriculture distributed posters urging every family to keep at least two hens — a “profitable recreation” in peacetime and a “patriotic duty” in war.

In recent decades, however, local governments have shown considerably less enthusiasm for animal husbandry in urban settings. Some cities ban it altogether; Pittsburgh imposes a $340 fee and cumbersome hearings for anyone wanting to keep chickens in a small space. But that may change soon with a sensible new proposal governing backyard chickens, goats and honeybees.

The zoning change before city council would allow residents who have at least 2,000 square feet of property to own up to five chickens or ducks, two dehorned miniature goats and two beehives. Additional animals are permitted as property size increases. A permit would cost just $74 and could be obtained within a day, as opposed to the months-long approval process that exists now.

No one objected to the change at the planning commission’s March meeting, and the ordinance, crafted by a group of urban farmers, veterinarians and city officials, contains language to minimize potential problems of sanitation and noise. No roosters, for example, are allowed, so as not to disturb anyone’s sleep. And the city’s nuisance laws would still punish egregiously bad behavior on the parts of both animals and owners — to keep your neighbor, ahem, from getting your goat.

The proposal, approved by the planning commission, recognizes the growing enthusiasm for local food sources, of which backyard chickens are a popular component. As Uncle Sam said in 1918, “Even the smallest back yard has room for a flock large enough to supply the house with eggs.” That’s still true, as is what poet Robert Frost wrote four years earlier: “Good fences make good neighbors.” Aye, and the best neighbors share their eggs.