Weatherly Borough Council will advertise an amended ordinance restricting wild, exotic and farm animals, but stopped short of ruffling the feathers of chicken owners.

Council on Monday discussed adopting a proposed animal ordinance after concerns with people bringing farm animals into town, specifically goats and chickens, Manager Harold Pudliner said.

The ordinance as originally proposed restricted all farm animals within the borough, and those who already have them would need to register them with the health officer and pay an annual permit fee of $5.

They would also not be able to replace or get more animals beyond what they own, Pudliner said.

Council members raised concerns about limiting farm animals in residential-agriculture zones, where many of the tracts are large and more rural than other residential zones in the heart of the town.

They agreed on allowing farm animals in the residential-agricultural districts, but not the other residential zones.

Council also discussed allowing chickens in all residential districts, but not the other farm animals listed, which included ducks, geese, roosters, pheasants and herd animals, including cows, steer, goats, sheep, cattle, lambs, horses, ponies, llamas, donkeys, mules, alpacas and pigs.

Both chickens and roosters were restricted in the proposed ordinance, and council agreed on prohibiting roosters.

A limited number of egg-laying chickens in residential areas are permissible, and council agreed on no more than six.

Borough police encountered a problem with people keeping a large number of rabbits, ducks and chickens, creating an offensive stench.

Council members believed the proposed quality of life ordinance would cover issues related to unsanitary or offensive conditions.

The proposed ordinance stopped short of prohibiting rabbits, which some youngsters keep and raise as a part of 4-H programs or keep as show rabbits.

The problem borough police had with some people keeping rabbits related to the animals being raised for meat, which would fall into the category of a processing plant, Chief Brian Markovchick said.

The proposed ordinance, which council agreed to advertise with discussed changes, would restrict wild, exotic, fowl, herd and farm animals any place other than a zoo, veterinary clinic or hospital, humane society, circus, sideshow, amusement show or facility used for education or science.

Proper cages, fences and protective devices would be required to prevent the animals’ escape, the proposed ordinance states.

Exceptions would be for farm animals in residential-agriculture zones in town, and up to six egg-laying chickens would be allowed in all residential zones. Roosters, however, would be prohibited.