A new city committee will study the possibility that people in Windsor, Ont., should be allowed to raise chickens in their backyards.

City council decided at a regular meeting Monday night to strike the committee in response to local resident Steve Green's 15-page letter extolling the virtues of urban chickens.

The benefits Green listed in his letter dated Oct. 19 include better food security, increased access to protein and reduced greenhouse gases due to reduced food transportation costs.

Also, Green wrote, "Chickens make great pets."

Green's enthusiasm for domestic fowl is not quite equalled by city representatives.

Chickens "don't belong in an urban setting, unless you've got a substantial piece of property," Coun. Fulvio Valentinis told CBC News.

"Maybe it's not going past Round 1, but at least we can give this gentleman an opportunity to come forward," said Coun. Alan Halberstadt.

"Have a good evening guys," said Mayor Eddie Francis, when asked by reporters about the new committee after Monday night's meeting.

Green's request will now go before the city's licensing committee.

Currently, keeping chickens and other birds, like turkeys and ducks, is prohibited under Bylaw 8156, which was passed on Mar. 18, 1985. The fine for violations is $100.