Marshalltown, Iowa, bans poultry in city limits
IOWA - Iowa Backyard butchers and some noisy chickens have led officials in Marshalltown to ban live poultry in residential areas. Police Chief Lon Walker says some people were raising chickens and butchering them for dinner. He added that their roosters would begin crowing at first light.The new ordinance, passed on December 27th, bans chickens, roosters, geese, turkeys and ducks from residential zones.
It took three months for the City Council to resolve the issue _ which was supported by five of the council's seven members on its final passage.
Proposed by Mayor Floyd Harthun, the ban does not allow a grandfather clause for current chicken owners.
City Administrator Dick Hierstein says it's unclear how many families own poultry and will be affected by the ban.