Oh, most fowl! Urban chickens take over Portland

It's official: the chicken came before the egg.

At least that's the finding of British researchers at Sheffield University. But here in Portland, Ore., we've known for years what comes first: the coop.

Portland ordinances allow residents to keep three chickens (or ducks or rabbits or pygmy goats) without a permit. As a result, Portland has the highest urban chicken population per capita in the country. (Not that Chicago wants to be outdone: See Lou Carlozo's piece on that city's first urban chicken consultant.)