Chickens on my rental property.

[lazy gardener]

Contrary to others who voiced their opinions here, in my opinion, the only thing you should be concerned about is the potential damage to your property. To deal with that take an open check to be cashed at the end of the lease period if damage was actually caused. Of course you will have to clearly state what you consider 'damage' as apposed to the regular wear & tear. The best thing would be to agree upon a specific arbitrator to settle any disputes.
Laws, regulations, ordinances and animal welfare are none of your concern.

I disagree with the last statement. As a land owner, with a tennant, I think the land owner is partially culpable if the tenant is causing any of these violations. Animal neglect sets the animals up for some pretty serious disease issues. As a land owner, I would in no way, shape, or form allow a tenant to break any of these moral or legal codes of conduct.

 

[IdyllwildAcres]

I disagree with the last statement. As a land owner, with a tennant, I think the land owner is partially culpable if the tenant is causing any of these violations. Animal neglect sets the animals up for some pretty serious disease issues. As a land owner, I would in no way, shape, or form allow a tenant to break any of these moral or legal codes of conduct.

I am with you on this LG, with that logic, Laws not my concern, then turning a blind eye to a meth lab would be ok. My property my rules. A lease is a contract between the landlord and tenant, and while there are laws that must be followed, no discrimination, no illegal evictions, LL must give notice to enter and such there is no reason the lease cannot have boundaries in regards to animals or anything else the LL and tenant agree to. I would rather burn my house down than let a cat live in it. No cats, so if you have a cat said cat cannot live in my rental. Do not sign the lease if you intend to break it I will evict you then sue you in civil court for breaking the lease.

Gary

 

[chickens really]

You cant stop domestic violence or abuse just because your the land owner....Anyways....Just write up a contract that best suites the situation ....

 

[Mrs. Light Sussex]

I disagree with the last statement. As a land owner, with a tenant, I think the land owner is partially culpable if the tenant is causing any of these violations. Animal neglect sets the animals up for some pretty serious disease issues. As a land owner, I would in no way, shape, or form allow a tenant to break any of these moral or legal codes of conduct.

As a human being (and a useful member of society - I hope) I would not like to see anybody violate legal and ethical code of conduct. The question is when do we relinquish control. Is it my job as a landlord to make sure the tenants ethical level (and perhaps religion) matches mine? I don't think so. This just my 2 cents, I can understand differing opinions.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Are you at all concerned for what parasite impact/load this might bring to your cattle?

My ordinance requires building permits for anything over 100 square feet, with an unlimited amount of birds AS long as my neighbors don't complain.

As a chicken person, raising your own meat and having 10 layers seems perfectly reasonable. As a property owner... UGH!

As much as I like the splitting into sets of 25, I also get the convenience of having it out of the way at one time. Same amount of poo on the property.., they would be more likely to have to maintain in order to keep the health of their birds up, otherwise they will drop like flies. Which COULD change their mind all together about keeping chickens.

If they've had chickens before, I MIGHT consider letting them pursue. If this is their first rodeo, I might allow the layers for the first year and consider the others the following year according to if they prove worthy or not. It's true MANY renters are terrible at the end. But these people at least WANT to pursue a meaningful life. How long they've been tenants already would probably impact my decision. I would give 24 hour notice for inspection as well as require it every 90 days. Monthly just isn't reasonable for ME as the owner, my time is already limited.

Sadly, tenants have WAY too many rights come eviction time. In OR, my FIL said they are now required to give 90 day notice for eviction! Let's not even talk about CA where you can have god luck getting squatters out of your place that NEVER had the right to be there in the first place, with NO consequences for the low life thieves.

 

[Patinas]

Contrary to others who voiced their opinions here, in my opinion, the only thing you should be concerned about is the potential damage to your property...

I agree that was my first thought when I read this post. It wouldn't be my only concern but certainly a big one. Keep in mind that rental laws are on the side of the renter so if the renter gets the 60 chickens, and you have no guarantees that's all they will get, and if damage and/or other issues start occurring, you'll have a hard time and have to spend $'s to get them out of there even if they do violate the lease agreement and most likely you will have to clean up the mess they leave behind.

If the renter is someone you know well, maybe less concern but if it's a stranger, I would personally have to say no to that many chickens. Every situation is different but you clearly have concerns and I've learned the hard way...listen to your gut instinct and go with that!

 

[Kiki]

Thank you, Our property is a farmland where we raise cattle. There is ample space beside the house and the neighbors are far enough (and most also have their own chicks).
So 60 chicks for meat (she said she would keep these for 8 weeks) then 10 chickens for eggs (she would keep these through the winter) if the coop is 12 x 8 and the run 100 square feet whould this be ample space?

I'd let her keep them. I think that is a good size coop for 10 layers.

 

[lazy gardener]

May be good for 10 layers. But, where to house the 50 meaties????

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Many keep meaties in open bottom pens.

I wonder.. would that require any change or effect to your home owners' insurance?

Also wonder if having them get some sort of renters insurance would benefit you at all?

Ya, if I don't go with my gut... I ALWAYS regret it.

 

[Jocelyne]

First, more information, please! How big is the property? Are there close neighbors? Are there any zoning laws regulating poultry keeping in the neighborhood?

If it were my property, I would allow a few chickens to meet the tenant's own personal needs for eggs. The tenant would be responsible for providing safe housing, including an enclosed run. The coop and run would need to be consistent in construction details with the rental house, as well as the neighboring properties. In other words, no little coop shacks cobbled together in a residential neighborhood. The coop would have X# of sq. feet, be a walk in style, or at least 4' tall, the run would have X# of sq. feet, and be covered. Based on your tenant agreement, there would be 4 s.f. in coop and 10 s.f. in run per bird. I think I'd limit flock size to 6 birds, no rooster. The coop and run would be at least 30' away from the rental home, and would be a minimum of the same distance from any neighboring homes. The tenant would be required to keep the coop and run in good repair, and limit odors by frequent cleaning or deep litter management. You would have to reach an agreement with tenant re: free range/supervised free range time, or birds kept secured in coop/run at all times.

NO WAY WOULD I ALLOW A TENANT TO KEEP 60 BIRDS ON A RENTAL PROPERTY, UNLESS IT WAS A FARMSTEAD.