Backyard Chickens Win Final Approval from BOCC

BRADENTON – C.L.U.C.K., a citizen group promoting the backyard chicken movement, scored its biggest victory Tuesday as the Manatee County Board of Commissioners gave final approval to a code change that will allow residents in the unincorporated county to house and raise backyard chickens.

The approval comes after two years of activists lobbying county officials to get past the stereotypes and misconceptions about chickens and allow them to promote the sustainability, health and other benefits of locally raised chickens.

The board voted 4-2 in favor of the motion with Commissioners Benac and Baugh dissenting. Commissioner Robin DiSabatino was absent, though she had previously voted against the measure. The new ordinance will allow residents to keep up to four female chickens in a coop with 20 feet setbacks from property lines. Roosters remain against code because of noise considerations.