Can chickens be kept in a subdivision without issues..

[Chicken Pimp]

Signed up for the Chicken class today to get my permit

 

[bobbi-j]

There are too many variables to give you a pat answer. First and foremost, are chickens legal where you live? If not, the rest is moot, in my opinion. Have you asked your neighbors if it would bother them if you got chickens? That would be the next question. How close are your neighbors? Will their coop be close to the neighbors' homes? Do you plan on letting them range in your yard? Do you have a plan for your chickens if you do get them, there is a problem and you have to get rid of them? As with anything else there is a difference between 5 chickens and 15. The noise level would go up.

 

[lazy gardener]

Do they allow dogs in your sub division? A well managed flock of 4 or so birds should be no more disruptive to the neighborhood than a dog. Again, the bottom line is ... are they allowed where you live according to the zoning codes and subdivision laws?

 

[donrae]

They can be very noisy, but there's no way to tell if a specific hen will be or not. It's also not a breed trait, just an individual. For instance, 4 of my silver laced wyandottes hardly make a peep, just a little bit of cackle when they lay. One, however, cackles and calls and carries on over every little thing--she lays an egg, another hen lays an egg, they get treats, the dog walks by, pretty much anything. She's just loud.

Yes, 15 birds are going to make a lot more impact in a suburban yard than 5. You'll need triple the space, for instance. 15 birds are going to need 150 square feet of run--that's a lot of space. The coop will need to be 60 square feet. Right there you're over 200 square feet--how big is your back yard, anyway? Plus, manure management, odor issues, mud issues, and yes, they're noisy. Go to you tube and spend some time watching videos of "egg song", that will give you some ideas what you're looking at for noise.

 

[Chicken Pimp]

OK. Thanks everyone.

For 5 birds, I'm sure my 10 X 7 1/2 coop is fine. Just curious what size run for 5 birds?

 

[aart]

OK. Thanks everyone.

For 5 birds, I'm sure my 10 X 7 1/2 coop is fine. Just curious what size run for 5 birds?

Twice that would be good.
Your municipality may have other requirements for space...if you need a permit, it should specify them.

 

[Chicken Pimp]

Twice that would be good.
Your municipality may have other requirements for space...if you need a permit, it should specify them.

Yes, I am signed up for the class to get my permit...

 

[TK421]

Be sure to casually visit with your neighbors. I tested the waters without actually asking permission. I've had no problems having chickens in my subdivision.

 

[Chicken Pimp]

Be sure to casually visit with your neighbors. I tested the waters without actually asking permission. I've had no problems having chickens in my subdivision.

Yes, I did just that yesterday. My neighbor was out back and we chat over the fence from time to time... I asked him if he heard that Jacksonville now allows us to keep Chickens. He said he heard about them trying to pass it and that he didn't know it had passed, he also commented he would like to get some now... I told him he could have a couple of mine and some eggs ;-)

All is good! Now to work on the other neighbor.

 

[Sseckel]

Good Luck with your hens! We have had our in our subdivision on zero lots homes for almost a year now and have not had any complaints from our neighbors. We currently have 2 hens and I plan on adding 2 more this spring. Most of my neighbors didn't even notice them until this winter when the outdoors finally quieted down with everyone hibernating indoors. Then one neighbor commented that every once in awhile they could hear them when they were outside, but not in their home. I have a black sex link and an americauna, both have been mildly chatty in general.