Free Range in Ohio

[arouech]

My chicks are still in a small brooder, and we'll be building their coop soon, however I had a neighbor tell me that in Ohio, poultry can no longer be free range and that they must be in an enclosure. Where can I find out if this is true or not before we build our coop?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I can't believe a state law would be so restrictive. I've seen many cities have ordinances to that effect. States usually don't regulate livestock to such a degree. They usually leave that to counties and cities.
In fact, some states lean toward giving landowners more rights and limit city/county restrictions.
Call your city/county for a copy of their ordinances.

 

[arouech]

I can't believe a state law would be so restrictive. I've seen many cities have ordinances to that effect. States usually don't regulate livestock to such a degree. They usually leave that to counties and cities.
In fact, some states lean toward giving landowners more rights and limit city/county restrictions.
Call your city/county for a copy of their ordinances.

Thanks @ChickenCanoe I'll do that!!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Another idea is to contact your Department of Agriculture and/or the NPIP office. They would be the ones to let you know if it were a statewide restriction.

By the way, chicks grow fast. Get that coop built.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

http://www.agri.ohio.gov/LivestockCareStandards/docs/OLCS Poultry - Final.pdf

https://www.ohiopoultry.org/responsible_farms/index.cfm

 

[arouech]

Another idea is to contact your Department of Agriculture and/or the NPIP office. They would be the ones to let you know if it were a statewide restriction.

By the way, chicks grow fast. Get that coop built.

Thanks for all the info! I appreciate it

 

[aart]

Wonder if it has anything to do with the AI outbreak in Kentucky?
Neighboring state.....may have restricted free range like they have in the UK.......
.....or your neighbor is mis-thinking along those lines.

Curious as to what you find out.

 

[ChickenMammX4]

I live in Ohio and haven't heard that. I glanced around a couple of websites but saw nothing. I'll ask around and will post if I hear anything regarding that.

We don't free range due to many predators in our area though.

You still need a coop rather you free range or not.

 

[arouech]

I live in Ohio and haven't heard that. I glanced around a couple of websites but saw nothing. I'll ask around and will post if I hear anything regarding that.

We don't free range due to many predators in our area though.

You still need a coop rather you free range or not.

We weren't going to free range anyways for that reason, predators b/c we live right next door to a heavily wooded area, and we have a lot of chicken hawks in the area, but just in general I was wondering. However driving yesterday evening I almost hit 2 chickens along Route 30 in Orrville, Ohio so its either not a real law, or its by city, or those people just dont know about it. Who knows, but from what I read on the Ohio Agricultural site, there are no laws against free range.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I'm near some heavily wooded areas but IMHO, cities have more predators. Raccoons are much more populous in urban areas than rural.
Toronto is the raccoon capitol of the world and Chicago has a huge population of coyotes.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-downtown-coyotes-met-0117-20150116-story.html