Supporters of legalizing urban hens in Bremerton said last week that they have gathered about 450 signatures so far in an effort to take a citizens’ initiative to the Bremerton City Council.

The petition drive, which began in early April, aims to change a city ordinance to allow Bremerton residents to keep up to four hens per household.

Petitions are available at business citywide, such as Harborside Market, Hi-Fidelity Lounge, Bremerton City Nursery and Der Blokken Brewery.

The campaign follows a 2-1 rejection in March by the council’s Public Safety, Parks and Planning Committee of a draft ordinance to allow the chickens.

The hen proponents’ goal is to gather 2,500 signatures by July 3. With those signatures, the measure can be put before voters in an election or be passed into law by the City Council.