Hopes for hens is taking flight

A grassroots effort to raise hens in the Knoxville city limits is still in the planning process but appears to be gaining in popularity

The Knoxville Permaculture Guild met at Barley's Taproom on Jackson Avenue on Sunday, to discuss their plan to change an ordinance that bans chickens from being raised in the city limits.

Local attorney Brandy Slaybaugh explained a potential strategy to the group.

Urban chicken supporters say several large cities across the country have changed their laws to allow hens to be kept in yards for a wide range of reasons.

"They're fun to raise, they're fun to watch, their eggs are great to eat, they're just an animal that needs to be nurtured I think and kept around because right now there's less of the special breeds out there," north Knoxville resident Mark Floer said.

"There was probably a reason chickens in the city limits were made illegal and that was roosters, they're very loud. We will not have roosters in the city, only hens and it will only be for egg consumption," founder of the Knoxville Permaculture Guild Chad Hellwinckel said.

The Knoxville Permaculture Guild plans to draft new legislation and approach the city council with their proposal in the near future.