FT. COLLINS, Colo. -- The Ft. Collins City Council voted 5 to 1 Tuesday night to allow residents to keep chickens in their backyards in any section of the city.

Previously, chickens were allowed in only 3 of the city's zoning districts in the city of 130,000.

There are a few restrictions:

There's a six-hen limit.

No roosters are allowed because they're too noisy.

No slaughtering of chickens is allowed.

Hens must be kept in a secure enclosure at least 15 feet from property lines.

Dan Brown, a Fort Collins resident and chicken advocate, has been crowing for an ordinance that would allow backyard birds, arguing that the hens eat pests, weeds and scraps that can’t be composted.

"I also think it’s an important part of teaching your children that food doesn’t come from a box in the store," said Brown.