Chickens took center stage at a Manette community meeting Wednesday, despite Councilman Adam Brockus’ best efforts.

Currently Bremerton doesn’t allow residents to keep chickens, but a movement is afoot to allow residents to keep four hens in their backyards.

Brockus, the meeting’s host, asked participants to hold their chicken comments until everyone had a chance to ask the mayor a non-chicken related question. The Q-and-A with the mayor was on the evening’s program, but chickens were not.

When chicken discussion was allowed, Councilman Roy Runyon pointed out that if both Bellevue and Seattle allow residents to own chickens, Bremerton should, too.

A draft ordinance is in the works and nothing can be done on the measure until next month’s committee meeting, but Manette residents have rallied behind the proposal, including the Manette Neighborhood Association board, which voted 9-0 in support of chickens.

Most residents voiced support for chickens, claiming that dogs are more of a nuisance than hens and pointing out the pest control functions of the birds.

Lent said if Bremerton residents could persuade the City Council to pass the chicken allowance, the measure would have her full support.