For years, Chandler has been one of only cities in the area that outlaws urban chickens.
But all that might change Thursday night, when the city council is expected to decide on whether to allow backyard chickens in city limits. This proposed ordinance would allow up to five hens at residences.
The city’s Planning and Zoning Commission already approved allowing the birds in May, but shortly after the city council decided to table the issue until Thursday's 7 p.m. meeting. Chicken advocates say the hens not only lay eggs but make great pets, while opponents say they are noisy and breed disease.
In a strange side note, the flock of Chandler chickens that originally sparked the debate went missing from their coop in June. They were returned, without explanation, a few days later.