Anyone know the chicken laws for Wilbraham, Ma ?

I live in Wilbraham as well, and have been told the "5 acres" rule. The by-laws are confusing and do not explicitly state that chickens are considered livestock or for agriculture. It is very disappointing and I intend to have chickens anyway. I know others who have chickens and have not had any issues.

I'm on the Cape so I don't think that I can be of any help. If it was a Mass law, then I would have a say. And, boy, would I!

We just had to rehome a rooster as well, so I understand your frustration. I am glad to know that you were able to place him at the farm that is close to you, though.

Good luck to you!

There is a No Crow collar for roosters. Five acres for chickens is ridicules.

Our neighbor has gone through the same thing. By laws in town need to be changed to allow people to provide for themselves the way they want to. A garden, chickens, etc should be allowed within reason. They will not give out a kennel license, though the state requires it. Some put their properties in 61A so they get a reduction in taxes, though they do not use it for agriculture.

As of May of 2017, the current chicken by laws in Wilbraham are as follows:
SECTION 605 REGULATIONS CONCERNING CHICKENS ON FEWER THAN
FIVE (5) ACRES (ATM, 5/15/17, Art. 54)
a.) For purposes of this By-Law, the term "chickens" shall refer to female chickens.
No roosters allowed.
b.) This By-Law sets forth the regulations for the keeping of chickens within the
limits of the Town on any property smaller than five acres in size by a person who is the owner,
lessee, tenant or occupant, with the exception of properties exempt from such regulation under
Mass. Gen. Laws, Chapter 40A, Section 3. Chickens shall not be kept on any property that does
not contain an occupied residence.
c.) The chicken coop may not be located less than ten (10) feet from any lot line and
not less than twenty-five (25) feet from any abutter's dwelling. Odor cannot be perceptible at the
property boundaries. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 630 2.g., all persons keeping
chickens shall comply with Section 630 1.c. Unreasonable Noise, of the General By-Laws of the
Town of Wilbraham, as amended from time to time.
d.) The raising and keeping of chickens on fewer than five ( 5) acres is limited to:
6 chickens for properties up to 15,000 sq. ft. (.34 acres)
12 chickens for properties from 15,000 sq. ft. to 1 acre
18 chickens for properties over 1 acre and up to 2 acres
24 chickens for properties over 2 acres and up to 3 acres
30 chickens for properties over 3 acres and up to 5 acres
A minimum of 3 chickens shall be maintained
e.) Feed must be stored in a rodent-proof container and all waste materials must be
properly composted on site or disposed of to be composted.
f.) Chickens must be provided with fresh water, clean feed, one nesting box per six
( 6) chickens, a roost bar and security from predators. Chickens must be physically contained
within the property of the chicken owner.
g.) Violations:
1st offense: Warning
2nd offense: $25
3rd and every subsequent offense: $50
Enforcement Agent: Zoning Enforcement Officer

GardenerGal said:

Here in Ma., the animal control officer or "dog" officer in each town and city has to keep what's referred to as a barn book. It's a census of all the livestock and poultry being kept in that municipality. The officer must make an annual tallly and visit each site where these animals are kept, count and categorize them, and submit the census to the Mass. Dept. of Agricultural Resources (MDAR). The MDAR in turn makes the information available to the USDA.

If you check your town department listings, there should be one for animal control. It's often part of the police department. If you contact that person, he or she will be able to tell you what the rules are concerning poultry and livestock.

Wilbraham is famous! It's the birthplace of Friendly's!

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I’m built in wilbraham and then came to Hampden and the but I think I know that pertains by state is you may only have a hen if you own 5+ acres. Did you find rest of answers?

lol not built personally but my home! I’m going crazy will lack of knowledge and only can consume so much and I’m so afraid I’m going to loose all my 15 eggs of pet silkies and Bantoms. How doom people live their lives I can’t leave the house. I don’t know how to make easier. AND I BOUGHT 15 incubators just to be safe.What a joke!

Pbsaphire6754myingoing said:

I’m built in wilbraham and then came to Hampden and the but I think I know that pertains by state is you may only have a hen if you own 5+ acres. Did you find rest of answers?

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Look at the post just before yours -- BookwormNC found the chicken rules for Wilbraham, MA. It looks like you can keep chickens... the number allowed increases with the size of the lot, but on a lot smaller than 15,000' you can have 6 chickens and a minimum of 3 (a good rule, since chickens are social creatures).

AnimalQuackers said:

Hi,

I know this is an old thread, but I thought I would chime in since I have some information that might be useful.

The person in charge of "livestock" in town is Lance Trevallion. I spoke with him today, when he called to inform me that our neighbor two doors down has filed a complaint about our one rooster. I too have read the town zoning laws ands bylaws, and although it appears to me that chickens and roosters are OK, Lance indicated that his interpretation (and he is the enforcing agent) is that chickens are NOT ALLOWED on properties less than five acres.

Now, that said, he is not the type to be a bully and show up and remove chickens simply because he has the autority to do so. He will only get involved if there is a formal complaint. Although all neighbors abutting my property (1/2 acre) are fine with my hens and rooster, the neighbor two doors down objects to any crowing, apparently, even though the rooster is within the "acceptable" limits of the "dog barking" ordinance (Strange, isn't it, that if my dog barked for 14 minutes every hour between 7:01AM-9:59PM, it would be OK, but my rooster, who crows four or five times a day for about 5 minutes, is considered a "nusiance." Don't get me started!)

At this time, I will be rehoming my rooster to the farm across the street, where, because there is over 5 acres, he is "allowed." After that, I am going to see what I can do about changing the terminology in the bylaws to allow for chickens. I will need community support. Is anyone with me?

Michelle

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I am with you I live in Wilbraham. You can have 11 chickens if you have less than 5 acres but no roosters. My wife and I had to get rid of our rooster because of a complaining neighbor. Very sad. They need shelter food and water of course. Trying to change these bylaws is almost impossible over 100 years old. But this is a right to farm town and we need to go back to our roots! Please let me know if you’d like to team up!

5j's said:

Okay I have searched to no avail on town web site but have no answers. Can you help?

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Wilbraham is a right to farm but they are strict! No roosters and only 11 chickens allowed if less than 5 acres. Must have food water shelter of course. Good luck