Urban farmers hit back against Des Moines' possible rooster ban

Urban farmers are steaming about a resurrected idea to ban roosters in Des Moines.

What's happening: Councilperson Linda Westergaard asked the city’s legal team to bring back the rooster ban proposal during a wider discussion about urban noise pollution.

What they're saying: A blanket ban would be unfair and could halt city flocks from hatching their own chicks, Kathy Byrnes from Birds & Bees Urban Farm in Sherman Hill told Jason.

• "It’s laughable to single them out. The dogs in the neighborhood are a much bigger nuisance," Union Park neighborhood-area resident and rooster owner Chance Kruse told Jason.

Their argument: Roosters help protect hens, they can be pets and they’re not all stereotypically noisy.

• Crowing can be minimized by keeping roosts dark during twilight hours.
• And "no-crow" collars made of nothing more than Velcro can help. (Check out this how-to video from a guy with a possum on his head.)

What's next: There will be more public discussion about the matter, Westergaard told Axios.

• She'll wait for a city staff recommendation before considering a crowing compromise.