West Columbia OKs keeping a few chickens at home after one-year test

Chicken fans passed a one-year test of keeping a few of the birds at home in West Columbia with flying colors.

City Council gave the go-ahead to allowing a maximum of four hens to be kept in backyards after no complaints were received during the trial.

So far, two homeowners are raising the birds, officials said.

The plan was approved 7-1 Tuesday, with Councilman Tommy Parler opposed.

Council members set up the one-year test to see whether the practice created problems in the Lexington County city of 15,000 residents.

This story was originally published June 8, 2016 at 4:40 PM.