Found Nest in Yard

[BockBegock]

So we've managed to come up with a way to keep the chickens in their enclosure. However on of our Cuckoo Marans, that we affectionately refer to as the escape chicken manages to get out every day. I believe my son just figured out why she's been so persistent. He found her sitting on a nest in the yard under some stairs. In that nest are somewhere in the neighborhood of 15 eggs. So apparently this has been going on for some time. We do have a rooster. So there's a fair possibility they are fertilized. Not sure where to go from here. Also, someone complained about our rooster and code enforcement has given us until the 25th to greet rid of the chickens- which I'm just sick about. We had no idea when we started that chickens are an issue here. One property on our street has a horse and another had chickens for probably a decade. Open to suggestions. Thanks.

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

Sorry to hear that you got a visit from the town. If someone can have a horse you should be allowed to have chickens.

 

[ChocolateMouse]

For the hen on the eggs, you may be able to slip in when she's off her nest to candle them and determine if they're developing. You can, of course, destroy the nest and break the broody chicken yourself either way, but if seeing how far along they are may influence you, you can candle them. What I would do is use a BRIGHT flashlight (cellphone lights on android smartphones work well for this), bring out a heavy, dark blanket when the hen gets off the nest and check the eggs.

For the legal standpoint of things, do your research into it!
What is the specific code or ordinance you are in violation of?
Are your neighbors with animals also in violation?
When did this go into place?
Does your state have any grandfathering requirements regarding these laws?
Document the animals on neighbors properties.
How are the laws changed?
Can you contact neighbors and devise a campaign to change the law?
A broody hen on eggs makes a GREAT social movement mascot, especially if there are children involved.
But neighbors who are also accidentally in violation or could be "next" on the chopping block make an even better one.
If it's an HOA, who is on the board? Can you motion to dissolve it?
Do state laws protect your right to keep your animals?

Can you afford a lawyer, even if it's just for a couple of legal notice letters to cause a postponing of removal?

Start there, build your case, present it to the city council. Call news stations and get them involved. Make a big stink. Research other places that have started allowing 'city chickens', propose new ordinances, and document how much it cost those cities to try to block those proposals. Some cities have wasted tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars trying to block city chickens. Point out how much that would damage the community, where that money could go towards improving infrastructure.
There's a lot of good info under the local laws and ordinances section of the forum. I would split this into two topics - one on legalities, one on the chickens.

 

[TwistedSteel]

Code enforcement around here is all about who you know or what kind of deal you can work.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Just because other neighbors have horses or chickens doesn't necessarily mean you can - for example I can have 10,000 chickens but another home nearby would not be allow to have any, as the zoning on each house can be different in my area. You need to look up your town's zoning ordinances and/or speak to code enforcement and find out what the zoning is for your specific parcel. If you had an escaping chicken I wonder if that was the reason they're coming down on you, or are you actually not allowed to have chickens at your parcel?

If you cannot keep your flock, I hope you can find someone local to take them. Maybe post fliers at your feed store, or try posting on your state forum on this site to see if someone can take them https://www.backyardchickens.com/forums/where-am-i-where-are-you.26/

 

[Ljc01]

It maybe just the rooster that you can't keep. I know a lot of places where you can home chickens but no roosters.

 

[Melky]

So we've managed to come up with a way to keep the chickens in their enclosure. However on of our Cuckoo Marans, that we affectionately refer to as the escape chicken manages to get out every day. I believe my son just figured out why she's been so persistent. He found her sitting on a nest in the yard under some stairs. In that nest are somewhere in the neighborhood of 15 eggs. So apparently this has been going on for some time. We do have a rooster. So there's a fair possibility they are fertilized. Not sure where to go from here. Also, someone complained about our rooster and code enforcement has given us until the 25th to greet rid of the chickens- which I'm just sick about. We had no idea when we started that chickens are an issue here. One property on our street has a horse and another had chickens for probably a decade. Open to suggestions. Thanks.

No matter where you live or what you see others do, each property is an individual and treated as such. Before any homeowner can put anything on their property you need to consult your local planning commission to check to see what your laws and ordinances are. It varies by location and amount of acreage that you own. I would try to sell or rehome your chickens. Use the link given on another post to see if anyone in your state can take your chickens. You can post on Facebook and Craigslist as well. Others have sought permission through signed petitions from neighbors to create a more agreeable ordinance for fowl on property but you may or may not have success. I would comply with the order regardless because you had a complaint.