Chicago: Yesterday's Sun-Times says roos are legal!

[kbunny]

http://www.suntimes.com/6942644-417/raising-chickens-legal-in-chicago-and-people-are-crowing-about-it.html

I have been under the impression all along that it is only legal to keep hens in the city of Chicago, but according to yesterday's Sun-Times roosters are legal too!

Does anyone know more details about the law? Was it changed recently? Or was there just some faulty fact-checking at the Sun-Times?

 

[kbunny]

Whoa, the article also talks about where you can bring birds for slaughter... which I had believed to be totally illegal in the city (raising birds for meat). Now I am completely confused and wondering whether the paper really has it right!

If anyone knows about this please enlighten me!

 

[fuzzyham]

kbunny,

The article is quite correct. Chickens have been legal in Chicago FOREVER, roosters are allowed (but are not given a "free pass" if they can't shut up), and outside slaughter of your chickens on your property is not allowed (what you do in your basement or garage is YOUR business)... so when it's time for the stew pot there are some local establishments which will do a quick, humane, sanitary job of it for you.

Good resources are Chicago's own Urban Chicken Consultant Jennifer Murtoff:
http://urbanchickenconsultant.wordpress.com/home-to-roost-services/

and the Chicago Chicken Enthusiasts Google Group:
https://groups.google.com/forum/?hl=en#!forum/chicago-chicken-enthusiasts

Upcoming event on Sunday Sept 25: "Windy City Coop Tour"