Now that the city appears to have moved closer to allowing backyard hens, the real issues of impact are going to come more into focus.

Theoretically, a plan approved by a committee last week sets up a situation in which those who want chickens in city limits should be able to have them with minimal impact on their neighborhood. Many opponents’ concerns are a little exaggerated, such as the spread of salmonella or the development of a feral chicken over-population. Other concerns, however, are being met with policy and procedures – regulations, permits, inspections – and that is where the biggest potential problems rest.

Policing the birds and their owners (handlers?) is when all of Minot’s chickens are going to come home to roost.

Observe what Tanya Mendelsohn, animal control officer, said last week: “We are going to get so many calls. I can just picture it already.” Mendelsohn also said there will be time involved to inspect properties to ensure they are properly set up to handle chickens. Animal control officers are already busy, the City of Minot isn’t in any position to increase staff and eventually conflicts are going to lead to need for law enforcement. Most should have noticed by now that our law enforcement officers are rather busy with far more serious concerns.

Regulation and compliance will take a good deal of resources. Furthermore, the issue has been more divisive than white meat vs. dark meat, and it seems only logical that neighbors who disagree fall into ongoing argument and conflict.

There really is nothing wrong with the concept of keeping hens in town; many places do. It is also probably a preview of things to come – of the nation’s future when people turn back to stronger self-reliance.

Today, though? Today, enforcement of any regulations will have a cost associated with it, which hopefully is understood by both sides of the great chicken divide.

The wrong editorial was inadvertently published in the Sunday edition of the Minot Daily News. We apologize for the error. This is the editorial that was scheduled to run on Sunday.