Quote:
Here's what I found in Article 5 of the Monroe Township Municipal Code: (See it for yourself at:
http://clerkshq.com/default.ashx?clientsite=monroetwp-nj )
C. POULTRY
(Chickens, ducks, turkeys, geese and game birds such as pheasants and quail)
Bird Unit
The animal unit referred to with large domestic animals does not apply to poultry. However, a similar concept which we call a bird unit may be used. Since chickens are the most prevalent fowl in home agriculture they will be used as a base (bird unit) in calculating the number of fowl (other than chickens) permitted on a given site. A factor of one unit has been assigned to the adult chicken. Immature poultry have been assigned a fractional unit, while larger poultry such as turkeys, ducks and geese are expressed in large units. For example: a mature goose would require the space of four chickens and therefore, fewer would be allowed for a particular area as compared to chickens.
It is recommended that for home agriculture, not more than 32 bird units be allowed on any one-acre lot and no more than 32 bird units for each additional acre, up to three acres a total of 96 bird units.
Commercial poultry operators would have a much higher density. However, the bird units indicated here are for home agricultural purposes and the number recommended would be more than adequate to meet the needs for home-use and consumption.
Refer to Table 3 for recommended bird unit comparison.
Table 3. POULTRY BIRD UNITS* FOR USE WITH HOME ANIMAL AGRICULTURE
"Bird Unit"
Lot Size - (acres)
Factor
1 2 3 4 5
Max. Number Bird Units
Chickens
1
32 64 96 128 160
(mature)
Broilers & fryers
1/3
The maximum number of bird
Ducks
2
units (regardless of specie)
Turkeys
4
should not exceed those
Geese
4
specified for chickens.
To determine the combination of birds that may be permitted on, for example, one acre, the following calculations are suggested:
Multiply the bird number desired by the bird unit factor the total should not exceed 32
Example: 10 chickens 10 x 1 = bird units
2 turkeys 2 x 4 = bird units
7 ducks 7 x 2 = 14 bird units
*32 Bird Units = 1 Animal Unit
Management Recommendations for Home Flocks
A small flock of fowl may be raised on a conventional litter floor with or without access to an outside yard, or confined to cages. When confined to cages a minimum of 60 square inches of cage floor space per bird should be provided. If the conventional floor system is used, birds should be provided with a minimum of two or three square feet of floor space per chicken. Bantams may be allotted one-half of the floor space recommended for standard size breeds.
If poultry has access to an outdoor yard, the yard should be a minimum size of 15 square feet of yard space per chicken. The yard must be properly maintained so as not to create odors, particularly during rainy or hot, humid days. Turkeys, ducks and geese require a yard size 50 percent larger than that for chickens. Three times as many broilers, fryers, etc. can be accommodated with no additional yard or house space, provided sanitary conditions are maintained.
Sanitary conditions within the house and the yard must be maintained in order to minimize the fly and odor problems. Fly and rodent control measures must be followed according to the recommendations of the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station (NJAES).
Poultry manure should be applied to the soil as organic fertilizer, worked into a compost pile, or disposed of off the premises. If stockpiled, it must be covered with soil or be in an enclosed, screened area. When disposed of on the land, the amount should not exceed the recommended levels of 500 pounds per thousand square feet or the latest recommendations of the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station.
In view of the many variables involved such as: 1) location, 2) type of management system to be followed, 3) nature of surrounding area, 4) types of birds to be raised, etc., some situations should be reviewed with knowledgeable people in the field of agriculture. The county agricultural agent, along with specialists from the state land grant college, and/or other authorities in this area may assist in this capacity.
Fencing and Outside Lots
Although poultry may be raised entirely under cover with no access to the outside, some home agriculturists may want to provide an outside lot or poultry yard. If such a lot is provided, it should allow for 15 square feet of space per bird unit. If birds have access to a wire porch, a similar square footage should be allowed.
The yard should be fenced with wire and sufficiently strong and high enough to keep dogs and other predators from entering. The yard should be kept free of debris, weeds and standing water and suitably screened with shrubbery or other appropriate devices; if visual aesthetics are a consideration. The yard should not be placed any closer than 25 feet from neighboring property lines and should be behind the rear of the dwelling, with the normal dwelling setback from the roadway.
Poultry Waste Management
Under the conventional floor system, desirable house conditions may be maintained through a deep litter management program. Litter, consisting of dry absorbent material such as straw, ground sugar cane, wood sawdust or shavings, is added to the floor to a depth of 4 to 6 inches.
The composting action, which subsequently takes place between the litter and the poultry droppings that accumulate daily, should result in dry floor conditions that will minimize flies and/or odors. Litter floors, when properly managed, need to be cleaned only once annually.
Dropping boards beneath roosting areas and the area beneath cages, when manure accumulates, must be cleaned once every 3 to 5 days.
Poultry manure can be applied to the soil in the vegetable garden. It should be applied at a rate not to exceed 500 pounds per 1,000 square feet no more than once every three months for the total amount. Manure should be incorporated into the soil and not used on the surface as mulch. It may be composted or stored as outlined under the Animal Waste Management section of these recommendations.
Use of Other Information Available
Other more detailed management practices for poultry should be obtained as needed from the Cooperative Extension Service, New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station.
The Code also has:
§ 113-2. Interpretation.
The right to farm as it is used in this chapter includes the use of large irrigation pumps and equipment, aerial and ground seeding and spraying, large tractors, numerous farm laborers and application of chemical fertilizers and products for the control and elimination of insects, pests, weeds, fungus and other substances injurious to the farming process or for the purpose of producing from the land agricultural products, such as livestock, vegetables, grains, hay, fruits, fibers, potatoes, wood, trees, plants, shrubs, flowers and seeds.
This right to farm shall also include the right to use land for raising, breeding, and grazing of animals.
