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Feathers could fly over chicken coop controversy

CALGARY — A committee is getting another crack at dealing with the contentious issue of farm animals being raised inside Calgary city limits.

CALGARY — A committee is getting another crack at dealing with the contentious issue of farm animals being raised inside Calgary city limits.

On Wednesday, the city hall committee will vote on whether to recommend a pilot project be established to test the idea.

Right now, roughly 50 Calgarians are raising chickens in their backyards.

Those supporting the idea include Calgary mayoralty candidate Paul Hughes. He says the issue comes down to a person’s right to know where their food comes from.

But opponents say the animals create mess and the potential for disease.

The pilot project would allow urban chicken farmers to operate for one year in order to study the impacts and issues arising from the coops.

It is currently illegal for anyone to keep livestock inside city limits.