moorhead city council

Nancy Edmonds Hanson

Half a dozen hens or “unusually quiet” ducks may be permitted to take up residence in Moorhead yards next year if the Moorhead City Council approves a measure four members have requested be debated in January.

The request — made by council members Deb White, Steve Lindaas, Larry Seljevold and Heather Nesemeier — directs City Manager Dan Mahli to draw up a measure amending the city animal control code that now prohibits keeping livestock in the city limits. That law currently states that it’s unlawful “for an owner to keep chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys or other domestic fowl, except as permitted in this Chapter, cattle, horses, pigs, sheep, goats, or other domestic livestock within the limits of the city.”

The proposal would require prospective chicken owners to obtain an annual permit before establishing a chicken coop or chicken run. The runs could not be larger than 10 square feet per bird and would require 6-foot fencing. The birds could not be raised on commercial, retail or industrial properties or on sites with more than three residential units, nor could they be housed in garages or homes.

Owners would be required to regularly remove chicken manure and use a quality bedding toIt would bar both the breeding and the slaughter of the chickens within the city limits.

According to White, permitting householders to raise chickens in town has come before the council several times over the past 10 years. Nesemeier agreed, noting that it has shown up in recent research as an area of interest for local residents.

The proposed adjustment to current law would authorize issuing permits to owners of up to six hens but prohibit roosters. At the suggestion of council member Shelly Dahlquist, the proposal was amended to also permit Cayuga ducks, a domestic breed she described as “quiet” and “delicious.”

Council member Matt Gilbertson expressed strong opposition to the measure. “This is a complete waste of time, money and resources,” he said, citing other, more pressing issues on which the council should focus. “It will bring disease, nuisance and coyotes into town.” He added, “We have our priorities all messed up.”

White disagreed: “Of course we have other issues, but I don’t see this as an either/or qu4estion. It doesn’t involve a lot of time or effort. The city across the river has been doing it for a number of years.” She added, “Fargo has issued 30 permits at most in any given year, and has had zero complaints.”

The motion to have the chicken (and duck) rules drafted passed on a vote of 6 to 2, with Gilbertson and Chuck Hendrickson opposing. Mahli said the measure will be on the agenda for the council’s first or second meeting in the new year.