BASTROP, Texas (AP) — The Capital of Texas Zoo counts hippos, peacocks, panthers, tigers and camels as residents at its facility in western Bastrop County. And soon it might be welcoming into its fold many of the free-ranging Farm Street chickens, whose constant clucking, cawing and feculence have driven many Bastrop residents to their wits' end.

The Austin American-Statesman reports the city's animal services division is putting final touches on a contract that would hire outside help to trap and rehome many of the fowl that have strutted too far from the Farm Street Historic Chicken Sanctuar...