Chickens, rabbits and some other pets that live in outdoor cages can now legally be kept on most residential lots.

The Assembly on Tuesday passed a law making it so.

Until now, such pets were only allowed on very large lots. The new rules allow up to five pets on lots that are 6,000 square feet or more. Bigger lots can have more outdoor pets.

But noisy animals like roosters, turkeys, peacocks and geese are forbidden on lots smaller than 40,000 square feet.

And excessive smells, dust, and noise involving chickens or other outdoor pets are prohibited in any case, if they reach beyond the lot lines.

Several backyard chicken supporters spoke in favor of the ordinance. Lucy Peckham of the Coalition for Backyard Pets said chicken owners will address concerns such as chickens attracting bears.

“We can and will put up electric fences,” she said.

Regarding the mess created by chicken poop, Peckham said one 40-pound dog generates three-quarters of a pound of poop per day. Ten chickens only create two-thirds of a pound of poop, she said.