Currently, the citizens of Cape Girardeau are not allowed, under any circumstance, to raise chickens on their own property. However, every other city around Cape Girardeau allows chickens (Jackson, Scott City) within certain guidelines.

If done correctly, raising chickens can be beneficial to the property owner and the surrounding neighbors. Chickens not only produce fresh, healthy eggs but they also eat insects and other pests. For instance, luring Japanese beetles from around the neighborhood to the local chicken coop removes all those pests from the surrounding homes and gardens.

It is time to find a middle ground between those that want nothing and those that want everything. I believe, if done properly, chickens can benefit everyone in Cape Girardeau. The chicken owners and the neighbors.

Proposed change is easy... let's adopt the ordinances of a location that already has successfully tackled this problem: Columbia, MO.

Highlights:

a) six chickens per lot max

b) no males

c) specific coop and sanitation requirements

You can read the Columbia, MO ordinance here:

https://www.municode.com/library/mo/columbia/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH5ANFO_ARTVCH_S5-91NUTYCHAL