Proposed Legislation Would Allow Backyard Chickens Across the State

Tuesday, March 25th, 2025 -- 10:01 AM

(Wisconsin Radio Network) Proposed legislation in the Wisconsin Legislature would allow backyard chickens across the state.

According to the Wisconsin Radio Network, residents of some municipalities are already allowed to keep chickens, but many others prohibit it. Representative Shae Sortwell of Two Rivers is the Assembly author.

He said cities like Madison and Green Bay have already pioneered the way, and other municipalities could follow their lead. Sortwell’s bill allows for up to four chickens or quail, but not ducks.

He said it makes sense with avian influenza decimating commercial flocks, and noted the state already monitors for the disease in backyard flocks. Sortwell introduced similar legislation last session.

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