Manatee County to allow backyard chickens

Manatee County residents can now keep chickens in their backyard.

The Manatee County Board of County Commissioners voted 4-2 yesterday to approve a new ordinance and changes to the county Land Development Code, allowing residents to keep four female chickens.

The chickens must be sheltered in a henhouse or chicken coop.

No roosters are allowed.

Commission Chairman Larry Bustle and commissioners Michael Gallen, Carol Whitmore and John Chappie voted in favor.

Commissioners Betsy Benac and Vanessa Baugh voted against it.

Commissioner Robin DiSabatino was absent and did not vote.

The approval comes after a push from Manatee County’s chapter of the Citizens Lobbying for Urban Chicken Keeping (CLUCK).

It also comes after the Holmes Beach City Commission recently approved residential chickens in certain circumstances.

The cities of Sarasota and Palmetto also both allow it, under certain circumstances.