PHOTO GALLERY: Backyard chickens grow in popularity

October 7, 2012 | 4:11 p.m. CDT

Two years after an ordinance amendment allowed Columbia residents to keep chickens in city limits, an increasing number of people are opting for do-it-yourself poultry and eggs.

A chicken walks around the Bowles' backyard Thursday in Columbia. The Bowles started raising chickens about 18 months ago. | Yi-Chin Lee

Lydia Bowles, 7, and Ella Bowles, 10, feed and play with the chickens they raise in their backyard. The girls often play with the chickens. | Yi-Chin Lee

Two chickens walk around the Bowles' backyard to look for worms. The Bowles started raising chickens about 18 months ago. | Yi-Chin Lee