It's an ongoing effort to allow egg-laying hens in one Valley city.

Members of the Harrisonburg Backyard Chicken Project held a forum Tuesday night to try to get a discussion going about the issue before the city council considers an ordinance. The group formed last fall.

Critics of the proposal raise concerns about bio-security, particularly the potential spread of avian flu viruses to birds grown for the poultry industry.

"The fact of the matter is there are chickens throughout Harrisonburg right now. There have been for years. We think it might be of a better public health practice to know where the chickens are, and to have the practice be regulated," says Brian Martin Burkholder, with the Harrisonburg Backyard Chicken Project.

The city's attorney is working to draft an ordinance. The city council could consider it as early as June 23.