Dec. 4 is circled on Melissa Hensler's home calendar.

That's the night the North Huntingdon Township Zoning Hearing Board is scheduled to decide whether a 14-year-old girl's pet chicken, Sundae, is really a pet.

Melissa and her parents, Barbara and Donald Hensler, asked the board Tuesday to grant a special exception that would allow the family to continue raising five chickens -- including Sundae -- on their residential property in Country Hills.

The Henslers brought Sundae to the hearing.

The five-member board discussed the request behind closed doors and decided to table a vote until the December session. A huge crowd is expected.

A township ordinance bans chickens from being raised on property of less than 20 acres in a residential area.

A neighbor complained anonymously to township officials in August. After a township investigation, the zoning board decided the Henslers were violating the ordinance by raising the chickens.

The Henslers argued unsuccessfully that Sundae is Melissa's pet.

The township Recreation Department presented Sundae with the Most Unusual Pet award in a 2005 contest sponsored by the municipality. A picture appeared in a local newspaper.

Melissa and her parents appealed the zoning board's decision before township commissioners last month. Commission Chairman Richard Grey recommended they request a special exception from the zoning board.