The Austin City Council wants to keep abreast of some fowl issues.

The council asked city staff to research ordinances to keep chickens inside city limits during its work session Monday after Council Member Judy Enright asked for more information.

Enright said she had received phone calls over the years to let people keep chickens inside the city, but support for the issue was sporadic at best. She asked city staff to research chicken ordinances after a couple approached her at the public meeting Monday night.

There are plenty of cities that allow chickens to be raised inside city limits, as many suburban communities near the Twin Cities have tackled the issue over the past few years.

The issue may not sit well with some council members who expect a chicken ordinance to ruffle a few feathers.

“I lived next to someone who raised chickens for a while,” Council Member Steve King said. “It was ridiculous.”

City staff will compile information on urban chicken ordinances over the next few weeks.

Other news:

The council congratulated the Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau for working with Twin Cities magazines and the Chicago area to promote Austin. CVB Executive Director Nancy Schnable said the CVB is promoting Austin in the Chicago area to attract visitors who are attending the annual Sturgis, S.D., motorcycle rally to stop in Austin.

In addition, CVB officials have worked to promote Austin inside several Twin Cities publications, with more articles on Austin restaurants and other attractions coming soon.