EVANS CITY — Pat Dunbar originally talked to council members two years ago about the poultry problem on Evans Street, but the crowing roosters and eye-watering odor remain a nuisance.

Dunbar told the council Tuesday night that she cannot use the yard and porch at her home because of the constant noise and acrid aroma of chicken droppings emanating from her neighbor's property.

She suggested that instead of enacting a new ordinance on poultry, the council should consider adding a line or two to the existing animal ordinance prohibiting roosters and limiting the number of hens allowed per property.

She said upon her original complaint two years ago, she was told she must buy a high-tech device that would record and time the noise from the fowl neighbors.

“It costs $200,” Dunbar told the council. “I'm retired and on a fixed income.”

The borough code book online states that it is illegal for any resident to “own, possess, harbor or control any animal or bird which makes any noise continuously and/or incessantly for a period of 10 minutes or makes such noise intermittently for ½ hour.”

She said two years ago, the neighbors were told the chickens must be contained and not allowed to roam free.

“So they built a great big chicken mansion,” Dunbar said, who did not identify the neighbors.

The council seemed to agree that something must be done about the problem.

“Those roosters have been an annoyance to everyone in that area,” said council President Lee Dyer.

Councilman Karl Kennedy said he heard the roosters crowing early one morning at his house, which is not near Dunbar's.

Kennedy said if Dunbar's neighbor wants chickens for eggs, a rooster is unnecessary.

Councilman Dave Spithaler told Dunbar to call 911 and let the police monitor the situation.

“They should be doing it,” he said.

Borough solicitor Mike Gallagher said the borough could prohibit roosters, but may face legal action if the birds' owner thinks her males should be grandfathered in.

Dunbar said she would be satisfied if her neighbor were just prohibited from replacing the roosters.

Gallagher said he will bring in chicken ordinances from other municipalities for the council to look at.

“Other municipalities do have chicken ordinances because it's become an urban thing to have chickens,” Gallagher said.

Dunbar wants council to take action because she and her husband pay taxes, and they should be able to have coffee or lunch on the porch or access their shed without being subjected to the noise and offensive aroma of the chickens.

“It's not fair to Jim and me,” she said.