Rules on raising chickens in the city limits of Fort Dodge are nearly ready to come home to roost.

The City Council on Monday unanimously approved the second reading of the rules. There was no debate. No one from the public addressed the council about chickens.

The essential requirements of the rules are:

• No more than 10 birds on a property.

• No roosters or geese allowed.

• Birds must be kept in an enclosed area and inside a coop or hen house at night.

• Coops and hen houses must be in the back yard.

• Coops and hen houses must be at least 15 feet from the property line.

The proposed rules must be approved once more to become law.

The regulations are intended to replace current, vaguely worded ordinances.