A first glance, Devi, a small Brahma chicken, might not seem like a controversial figure.
She pecks around in the yard, gives herself dust baths and clucks ever so quietly. But in coming months, that hen, and a dozen others owned by a Missionary Ridge family, may be the topic of discussion for the Chattanooga City Council.
“I wanted to give my children and the neighbors’ kids an activity that was outdoors, taught them responsibility and showed them where their food came from,” said Kay Sanford, standing in her sloping backyard complete with a small chicken coop and a tiny chicken pen.
There’s just one problem: The Sanfords’ chickens are pretty much outlaws. Chattanooga city ordinance bans livestock on any lot smaller than five acres.