Anyone ever have problems in Santa Ana, CA?

The law states that you can have 4 chickens, no roosters, but the coop has to be at least 100ft from another home. That is pretty much impossible unless you live in an unincorporated area. I was just wondering if anyone had had any experiences with chickens in Santa Ana....I'm hoping it won't be an issue. The neighbor to my left lives across the country 11 months of the year, and the other side of me is currently in foreclosure...the people behind me do not speak English well, so I haven' tried talking to them about chickens yet.

I'm in Santa Ana, too. Have only had chickens since June, so no problems so far. I didn't ask my neighbors beccause what would I do if they said no. Perhaps we need to get together and try to get the city to reduce the distance requirement.

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Usually the 100' or other long distances are for the city to say they "allow" chickens but in effect outlaw them.

I had one hen and one rooster, now I have one hen, a new (and louder) rooster, and two chirpy chicks - all are Silkies. My coop is maybe 6-feet away from the southside neighbor's garage. No one has ever complained, but between the time my first rooster died and I got the second one and the two chicks (which I just did two days ago), I had an altercation with the southside neighbor so I'm just waiting to see what he does now. The people in the back are from El Salvador and good friends so no problem - in fact, they had a really noisy rooster who roamed the neighborhood, but the owner had a tiff with his across-the-street neighbor about parking issues so THAT guy called and had that rooster picked up. Also, we just got new neighbors across the street to the north, but they seem cool so I might take my new rooster over just to "introduce" him. All in all, though it think it will be fine. The neighbors two doors down to the south had a rooster, too, a couple of years ago, but it ran away. I think it depends on the neighborhood and the general "environment." I live in the Park Santiago neighborhood, but way down in the southern-most end, on the corner of two cul-de-sacs....so it's a little more mellow down here. I don't know WHAT I would do, though, if the cops tried to come and take my rooster away, because I have no place to transfer him too. But, at least the crow of a Silkie is way quieter than a typical rooster. Still - I live in fear!!

Well, I can now report that I have had a BIG problem in Santa Ana and am absolutely devastated. I have 5 hens raised from chicks since end of March. They are beautiful, very entertaining, friendly, and 3 are now laying.
Apparently, someone turned me in; Santa Ana Animal Control left a notice on my door yesterday that I am in violation of keeping chickens. After a visit from an officer this morning, I was told that my lot is not big enough to have the coop 100 feet from all neighboring residences, and I have two weeks to "dispose" of my chickens. I am beside myself, and have spent my morning in tears. Needless to say, I am very attached to my hens! But as the saying goes, "I can't fight City Hall."

Does anyone have any idea of a "chicken rescue"? Are does anyone know any place that will take hens in Orange County or maybe in the IE?

You could try your local humane society or your animal control. I live in Indiana, there was a newspaper article that so many people in Indpls are getting backyard flocks, then deciding it is too much of a hassle so animal control is full of chickens. Good luck finding new homes! So sorry that this happened to you.

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I am really sorry that happened to you and your hens.
If you are still looking for a home, maybe try the Los Angeles Chicken Enthusiasts MeetUp group. Maybe someone there would take them?

Hello everyone. Wondering if you would like to join other santa ana residents in trying to get the chicken laws changed in santa ana? I recently had to give up my chickens because the city came to my door (and we obviously didnt have the absurb 100' distance requirement). Now we are attempting to get this ordinance changed but need other residents to speak up as well. If you are interested, please send me a message. Hope to hear back from you soon!

BTW anyone who wants to contact me, please provide an email address so I can reply to you, as this website has a 2 message per day limit (not sure if this is only for newbies)... Thanks!

yes in Orange county Shelter they taking in chickens on City Drive