A group of residents hoped that Brunswick would consider adopting an ordinance to allow each household a limited number of chickens. The City Council voted against drafting an ordinance at its Tuesday night meeting.

Chickens were once common in Brunswick , as in most areas of America, as a source of meat and eggs. But as cities modernized, farming and food sources became a mainstay of rural areas.

With the rise of organic farming and the local food movement, many people are looking to raise their own chickens. Thecitychicken.com is a resource for chicken owners in urban and suburban settings.

Some cities don't address the issue of chickens, said Jim Peck, director of research for the Maryland Municipal League. Frederick bans chickens and other livestock in residential areas. Thurmont , however, does not ban livestock.

Steve Collings proposed the ordinance in August, and the council agreed to look into it. The city asked for feedback. Petitions brought many signatures, with the majority opposed. Collings proposed that an ordinance allow fewer than half a dozen chickens, but no roosters.

Councilwoman Karin Tome and Councilman Wayne Allgaier were the only two of six council members in favor of drafting a chicken ordinance.

"We would have liked to have seen it go forward," Tome said Wednesday.

Councilman Tom Smith, who criticized the proposal when it was brought before the council, moved to oppose a draft chicken ordinance.

Allgaier, a physician, said an ordinance allowing a limited number of chickens would benefit families who want to raise their own eggs.

"There were a lot of arguments about health and sanitation and pests, but I feel those things could be managed," he said.

Health would be a concern if feed were left in the open and rats were attracted, but he said that could be addressed.

One resident asked an entomologist with the National Pest Management Association whether chickens could pose a health risk in Brunswick , and the entomologist wrote a letter saying there are health risks.

Collings had suggested that raising chickens would benefit children who are in local 4-H chapters.

Baltimore allows chickens but restricts households to four over the age of 1 month, with no pen closer than 25 feet to a residence. The pens must be kept clean, and the chickens must have access to shelter and water.

Tome hoped to see a pilot program approved, with six to eight people volunteering to raise a few chickens each for no longer than six to eight months, at their own expense.

The idea did not gain any support, however.

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