Does poultry classify as livestock?

[Moochie]

I apparently live in an area of North Edwards where the housing is not zoned for livestock yet I've never gotten any warnings about my birds. Well, we had animal control come over about dirty duck water, but that was because they weren't educated about ducks and duck water habits.

I always thought livestock was like hooved animals, goats, pigs, and such, I don't have those because I don't have the room or the money for them. I was also told by someone "you're not supposed to have chickens because you're not zoned for livestock. it's only the middle part of north edwards " Well, we have with bantams. And neighbors actually have no problem with our animals.

Mom doesn't sell the eggs we get from our birds or sell the poop (fertilizer). Some people out of town take chicken poop when we have some available. I don't see a problem with what's on our property and mom recently bought 12 new chicks and 2 turkey poults for our laying flock since egg production has gone down a bit.

 

[dretd]

It depends on how your state defines livestock. Here is Colorado's:

(9) "Livestock" means cattle,horses, mules, burros, sheep, poultry, swine, llama, and goats, regardless of use, and any animal that is used for working purposes on a farm or ranch, and any other animal designated by the commissioner, which animal is raised for food or fiber production.

and

(10) "Pet animal" means dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, mice, rats, gerbils, ferrets, birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates, or any other species of wild or domestic or hybrid animal sold, transferred, or retained for the purpose of being kept as a household pet, except livestock, as defined in subsection (9) of this section. "Pet animal" does not include an animal that is used for working purposes on a farm or ranch.

You may be able to look up information for your state--not sure where North Edwards is:
http://www.lexisnexis.com/hottopics/michie/

 

[Moochie]

I'm in California and thank you.
Even if I'm not zoned for poultry my birds aren't going anywhere unless an official tells us otherwise.

 

[Moochie]

I couldn't find specifically on North Edwards, but for my county it said if I have a CAFO, which is commercial use of my animals, then I need to have licenses and things like that.
No commercial use here.

 

[dretd]

You are welcome. I would not give up without a fight myself if I were in your shoes.

Don't get me started on Animal Control. Don't get me wrong, they have a good purpose, but they seem to have gotten very 'proactive' about checking on things without complaints. I have friends that had AC do a welfare check on their dog and the guy told them that as far as he was concerned the case was closed, but then he went to the vets the next day to confirm that the dog was under care and stopped by unannounced the next week to check on the dog. Be polite and vigilant and proactive and don't believe them if they say they won't check up on you. Just sayin'.

Good luck to you!

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

It depends on how your state defines livestock. Here is Colorado's:

(9) "Livestock" means cattle,horses, mules, burros, sheep, poultry, swine, llama, and goats, regardless of use, and any animal that is used for working purposes on a farm or ranch, and any other animal designated by the commissioner, which animal is raised for food or fiber production.

and

(10) "Pet animal" means dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, mice, rats, gerbils, ferrets, birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates, or any other species of wild or domestic or hybrid animal sold, transferred, or retained for the purpose of being kept as a household pet, except livestock, as defined in subsection (9) of this section. "Pet animal" does not include an animal that is used for working purposes on a farm or ranch.

You may be able to look up information for your state--not sure where North Edwards is:
http://www.lexisnexis.com/hottopics/michie/

And in Arizona, poultry are not considered livestock; only hooved mammals are livestock. So, you need to check California law since that is where you live.

Have you asked your mother if she knows whether your birds are legal? I'd say there is a pretty good chance that she knows the answer. Last time I was in your area, it was pretty rural.