As a lot of you local people probably know, I’ve been working on a Backyard Chicken ordinance here in Buffalo for the past several months. You can read about it here, here, here, and here.

I’ve learned a lot about the Backyard Chicken movement–yes, a movement–and can say it’s one of the more fun things I’ve worked on in City Hall.

For instance, did you know that New York City, Rochester, Cleveland, and Baltimore all allow chickens to be kept within city limits? Tis true. You know what other city allows chickens?

PORTLAND.

You know what I saw while I was in Portland?

MOTHER EFFING CHICKENS! IN A BACKYARD.

Ok, it was a sideyard technically. You get the picture.

I know I’m ridiculously biased because our office has put about 14,000 hours into this chicken ordinance but seriously. You would never know.

I knew there were chickens in the yard but I couldn’t see, hear, or smell them when we walked back there. I actually had to ask my friend Lauren’s friend, whose roommate owns the chickens, “You have chickens, right?”

And of course, they do. Here’s where the hens live:

Their run is pretty long and they were sweet things. They’re also amusing, very amusing. According to their owner, the run and coop were in need of a cleaning but even then it didn’t smell like I was in a barnyard.

Portland’s ordinance is much less restrictive than the one the Common Council is set to pass tomorrow (fingers crossed, fingers crossed) but Portland generally felt more laid back than Buffalo, a challenge for sure.

In case you’re wondering, I won’t be getting chickens once this ordinance passes because I do not have enough room in my backyard to legally house them. Ok, I don’t even have a backyard!

That being said, I look forward to visiting friends with backyard chickens and to opening some minds. The next move forward in Portland’s foot steps?

BACKYARD BEES.

KIDDING.
NO SERIOUSLY, I’M YOLKING.