The latest enviro craze is raising backyard chickens. And now, Chapel Hill tree huggers will be allowed to become egg nurturers as well. The town council has instructed the town manager to make code changes to allow people to have the birds in their backyards, even though town staff is opposed, predicting chickens will create neighbor conflicts. Now Chapel Hill resident Greg Bell will get his wish, which he evidently hopes will spread:

“Like low-flow toilets, rain barrels and fluorescent light bulbs, backyard chickens are one way citizens can help the environment,” Bell said at the Sept. 24 Chapel Hill Town Council meeting.