Chickens in Pennsylvania

[bbelse]

Hi,
My name is Beth. I live in Ralpho Township where they are trying to make me get rid of my chickens.
Did anyone in PA ever find any laws about chickens as pets?

The code/ordinance they are saying I am in violation of refers to Ag/ Forestry. They state you are only allowed to have Livestock in that zone.

Well my ladies are not livestock! And there is nothing pertaining to pets in residential zone AT ALL!
HELP

 

[DobieLover]

First of all, welcome to BYC!
Second of all, who are "they"? Your neighbors or Code Enforcement? If you are allowed livestock in the zone you are in you are likely allowed chickens. You should call your town or county and speak to someone in code enforcement to verify.

 

[True Patriot]

We're glad to see that you joined. Sorry for the circumstances. Who are " they"? Unfortunately, many codes label chickens as stock, regardless of the keepers intent. If there's a local ordinance prohibiting then there's not much recourse for you. You can try pleading your case to the town commission, or going through legal channels. How many chickens do you keep? Where on the property, and.size of property? Is this the results of a neighbor complaint? If you give the circumstances of the situation completely there may be better help available.