A quiet revolution is clucking its way into neighborhoods, challenging city ordinances and highlighting the surprising benefits of urban chicken keeping. While still illegal within city limits because of a 22-year-old law, many residents have embraced backyard chickens, driven by educational aspirations, a desire for self-sufficiency, or just a deep appreciation for these feathered friends. 

Jillian Gonzalez, president of Philadelphia Backyard Chickens, is leading the charge for legalization. Along with her fellow chicken-enthusiasts, she is advocating for a change in city code legislation that would allow city dwellers to keep hens legally.

For Dana (because backyard chicken keeping in Philadelphia is illegal, she declined to use her last name), a Chestnut Hill resident, mother of two and educator, chickens became an unexpected "pandemic project" in 2020 when she ordered four chicks that arrived via U.S. Mail, because — fun fact — you can still ship live animals. Receiving a box of fluffy baby chicks in the post was exciting, but there was a serious goal at the core: education.

"We decided to create our youngest daughter’s pre-K egg hatching unit ourselves at home so she could have that experience," Dana explained. The whole family embraced the project, building a coop and run. After initially acquiring four chicks, their flock evolved to five, then four again after a fox incident. Now, nearly five years later, Dana's family enjoys the fresh eggs laid by Snowflake, Starlight, Eliza, and Ruby Rose. One of the dearly departed chickens was named Buffy (no relation to this reporter), named after its breed, a Buff Orpington. 

Despite the breaking of city law, Dana and her husband made an informed decision. "We knew that it was not technically legal to own chickens within the city limits.” However, their research suggested that "L&I [Licenses and Inspections], unless neighbors complain, will generally look the other way." 

With their Chestnut Hill neighbors' support, Dana and her family felt the risk was worth taking. They've experienced no complaints or fines and even had a kind neighbor fix a loose board in their coop gate to prevent a chicken escape. This strong community support is a common thread among urban chicken keepers. Having a local egg supply with grocery prices so high also helps. 

Based in Mayfair, Jillian Gonzalez is a seasoned chicken owner with six hens: Scarlet, Florence, Stella, Autumn, Pearl and Betsy. She became involved with the Philadelphia Backyard Chickens group in 2018, initially drawn to organic living after becoming an empty nester. She quickly teamed up with the group's founder, Maureen Breen, to actively pursue legalizing chickens in the city. 

Like Dana, Gonzalez informed her neighbors before getting chickens. "All my neighbors, they have no problem," she said, adding that she has lived on her block for 25 years, fostering strong relationships, and that local kids often come over to see, pet, feed and collect eggs from her "girls.”

The efforts of Gonzalez, Dana, and other chicken-enthusiasts led to a bill introduced in 2019 by then-Councilmember Bobby Henan and later, in 2022, Curtis Jones Jr. introduced another bill to allow hens. Neither bill passed. The ban on chickens and other farm animals dates back to June 2004, inspired by neighbor complaints over noise and odor sent to former Northeast Philadelphia City Councilman Brian J. O’Neill: “Any chicken, goose, duck, turkey, goat, sheep, pig, cow, or other farm animal, provided such other farm animal presents a public nuisance due to smell and/or noise. Does not include a cat or dog.” 

During the 2004 hearing, O’Neill said almost all American cities had similar bans. However, in 2012, a study published in the journal “Environmental Law Reporter” found most cities allow chickens. Of the top 10 cities by population, Philadelphia was by far the most restrictive. 

Several arguments drive the push for legalization. Gonzalez said it was unfair for responsible chicken owners to receive fines and violations. “Chickens are actually quieter than a dog, less messy than a dog. Their waste can be used in your garden," she asserted, emphasizing their ecological benefits. She also highlighted reducing landfill waste. Chickens even eat kitchen scraps. "It's just an all-around win-win." The irony, she noted, is that “You could have a horse in the city of Philadelphia. That takes up way more space, they're way noisier, and their waste is a lot more smelly." 

Dana echoed this sentiment, arguing that the city has "so many other issues and so many other problems that need to be focused on rather than regulating backyard chickens.”

According to Hen House, a website that aims to answer the question, "Can I have chickens in my backyard in Pennsylvania?" counties surrounding the City of Brotherly Love have their own detailed regulations for chicken keeping. There are numerous parameters, from lot size to number of hens and whether you can own a rooster. Side note: You do not need a rooster to get eggs. When laws ban chickens for noise, they are most worried about the rooster’s crow, rather than a hen’s cluck. Many areas – such as parts of Delaware and Chester counties – restrict roosters, while allowing female hens. Each county’s rules vary by township and municipality. If you are interested in owning a chicken, check with your local planning or zoning department to determine if chickens are allowed in your backyard and what the exact requirements are.

Councilmember Mark Squilla is a fan of eggs over-easy. He says he would support a bill to allow backyard chickens with regulations, citing “health, but limiting the number of hens, and no roosters would definitely be expected.”  Squilla said, “I do not know of a bill that was introduced on backyard chickens.”

We contacted Curtis Jones Jr. for a comment, but have not heard back.

Both Dana and Gonzalez emphasized the educational value of chicken keeping, particularly for children. Dana's daughters learned about "nature and how things work" and even "carpentry" by building the coop. Gonzalez believes chickens teach responsibility and self-sufficiency, connecting children to their food sources. "When you've had to take care of an animal and you understand what goes into that, you're less likely to be wasteful," Dana said. "And you respect where your food is coming from." In a city often disconnected from food production, this firsthand experience is invaluable.

The Philadelphia Backyard Chickens Facebook group (over 3,500 members) serves as a vital resource for its members, offering knowledge and support. "It's a nice way for people to share experiences," Gonzalez explained, adding that new requests for membership arrive daily. Many potential chicken owners are waiting for the bill to pass, fearing complaints from neighbors.

The fight to legalize backyard chickens in Philadelphia is not just about owning pets; it's about fostering community, promoting sustainability and providing unique educational opportunities. As Gonzalez put it, "It can be a real joy for kids, for adults, for communities, it can be a bonding point." She hopes the Philadelphia City Council will soon recognize the benefits and pass legislation that allows chickens to enjoy a legal life in the leafy neighborhoods of Northwest Philadelphia.

Reporter note:  No chickens could be reached for comment.