Troy to allow Muscovy ducks in city limits

Troy City Council inched closer to permitting ducks within city limits earlier this month by opening up the municipal code for edits.

The discussion over whether to allow certain breeds of waterfowl within the city took flight last month when a newcomer to Troy pointed out city regulations allowed residents to keep up to five chickens but no ducks.

Ilona Eubank asked councilors to consider including Muscovy ducks  — a breed known for its quiet quacks and high-quality eggs and meat — in city ordinances. She proposed allowing residents to keep at least two Muscovy hens in a contained space.

After mulling over the suggestion, councilors picked up the conversation during a Nov. 17 meeting. Council President Crystal Denton said she wasn’t opposed to allowing ducks so long as the city imposed a limit on how many birds residents could keep.

“I, personally, don’t have any problem with them,” she said. “They’re like chickens. They have eggs. And you can eat them.”

City officials have noted that residents are allowed to keep chickens because this type of bird produces relatively high quantities of eggs and can be eaten. Ducks, which generally produce fewer eggs per year than chickens, were excluded from city ordinances in part due to their low egg yield. City code prohibits residents from keeping turkeys, swine, goats and other livestock inside Troy.

Councilors TJ Boswell and Shawna Kelsey said they would like to see the city’s new ordinance permit only certain species of ducks like Muscovies. City officials have worried that allowing all types of ducks could result in residents keeping breeds that are known for being loud or that would serve only as pets.

City Councilor Chuck Ekstedt noted, however, that the code does not restrict the type of chicken residents may keep.

The council settled on allowing residents to keep up to five chickens and ducks in any combination. Drakes would not be allowed.

Councilors will have to vote on an ordinance or resolution formally allowing ducks within city limits once the municipal code is changed, according to Tracy Rebo, city clerk and treasurer.