backyard chicken rules

[onebuggirl]

I have been looking everywhere trying to find out how many chickens I may have in town. all I find are rules about and licensing on cats and dogs. Where can I find out how many chickens I can keep in town? Jefferson WI

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

Doesn't that mean you can keep as many as you want!?

No really...I would call the city's court house and they can point you in the right direction to find that answer out.

 

[SterlingAcres]

Go down to your municipal building and request the town ordinance pertaining to which pets you can or cannot house in town. There should be something about poultry or chickens in it. You should post this to the Chicken Laws section...

Good luck.

 

[chickiebaby]

And don't freak out when you see it, if its restrictive. Lots of good advice here.

best.

 

[coffeelady3]

In my city's code it's listed under the section for Health and Sanitation.

 

[PAChickenChick]

This is one area that really needs a personal touch.
You'd be surprised at how many people working in the township building will answer a phone and just tell you NO even if they don't know the answer.
A lot of folks just assume that chickens and other "livestock" animals can't be kept even though some may if they are treated as "pets".

It pays to personally go to your local township building and ask to speak to the code enforcer. AND...ask them to actually bring out the code book. Any code enforcer worth their salt will....mostly so there is no question of the code.
Another upside to being there personally is that the code enforcer will see that you want to do the right thing and respect you for that (if you treat them with respect too).

In my case I'm only allowed to keep chickens as "pets" so NO EATING of the pets (eating eggs doesn't count..they're ok) I'm also only allowed one chicken per person in my household and NO ROO's (due to noise). I have two pullets right now and one of them is questionable for being a roo...
My code enforcer knows me because anytime I have to do any work around the house I always check to see if it requires a permit. (not because I agree that things need permission, but because I understand when to choose my battles) Since I have this relationship with the enforcer...she is not as strict about me getting rid of my chicken so fast if it indeeds turns out to be a roo....
She said she understands that we would have become attached..and would want to find it a good home.

Trust me when I say....do the code researching in person...And good news or bad...remain respectful..it will go a long way in changing things if need be.

 

[onebuggirl]

Okay, first off thanks everyone for the help. I called the city of Jefferson and they took a good ten minutes on the phone to look it up. Chickens are not allowed in Jefferson under an animal/livestock ruling including "poultry" I do not plan to eat my girls and will use this as a pet defense. However I did write the common counsil and town mayor and asked that they look at possibly revising the ordinance. I used websites on backyard chicken keeping and large cities such as Miami and Madison and Chicago and how they allow hens for eggs. I also argued that it is educational and "Green" ( I am a future science teacher!) I also pointed out that Fort Atkinson (10 mi south of here) allows 4 chickens per household. So I am hoping to change Jefferson and get her converted to chicken friendly. (Ironically we have a Tyson Food plant in town....okay bad joke!! besides they make pepperoni) Thanks again and I hope for the best!