Harford County MD

[webpony]

They are gone.

 

[CocoAndPrincess]

We might be in the same boat, so I've been putting out feelers for rooster homes. If anything pans out, and we don't need it after all, I'll let you know!

 

[CocoAndPrincess]

I called Harford County Zoning and got a weird answer:

The woman I talked to said that any pet home, whether for dog or chicken, and whether permanent or totally impermanent and moveable, has to be at least 50 feet from any property line.

This means that anyone who lives on a lot smaller than at least 100' wide should not have a doghouse on their property, let alone a chicken coop. I'm pretty sure I've seen doghouses around Harford County on lots way smaller than mine!!!

Since we have neighbors who've had chickens and roosters for the past 6 years without issues, we're going for it anyway.

Wish us luck!!!

PS- Has anyone in Harford County ever gotten busted by the chicken police?

 

[webpony]

This is not true my brother in law had county set on him and he had to move 25 feet from line. luckily he had enough room. I am more interested in numbers you can keep.

 

[webpony]

Use craigs list that worked for me - I just lost a hen to a hawk - wish I had kept the most aggressive one!

 

[webpony]

Did you check again with county or let it go... May want to just let it go... I just registered my flock with the state since we may get enough to sell some eggs and make some cash for my daughter - she is a natural salesperson!

 

[webpony]

Bro in law told me the county person came to check him (neighbor called) told him 5 birds are okay and 25 feet. I am 4 times above 5 hopefully neighbors do not get PO'd - I have a rooster too luckily I have about 100 feet to their house and they keep windows closed due to pollen! Hopefully I can bribe them with eggs - got 12 today most so far.

 

[SeaHorse702]

I live in Harford County. The new law passed June 1st - chickens are not considered pets. You must have 2 acres and the coup has to be 50 feet away the property line. The only reason I found out is because my trailer troll neighbor who can't mind her own business called zoning on me. I have 1 acre. I now have to find a for my 7 laying hens and 2 roosters. I even told zoning that I had the chickens before this law went into effect; but I'm fighting a loosing battle.

So if your neighbors don't mind you having chickens, then you should have no problems with keeping them. We have people up the street with less acreage that have chickens until she turns them in.

Zoning also stated that they do not come out and investigate unless someone has called in and reported you.

 

[countrymouse]

I live in Harford County also and was attempting to get peking duck hens for eggs and organic fertilizer for my garden right around the time of the new law going into effect. Ducks were reclassified from 'domestic waterfowl' to 'farmyard livestock' and fall under the 2 acre rule.

However, due to pressure from the public, Baltimore County recently eased up on their restrictions so maybe if everyone is interested enough and contacts local county government Harford County will someday follow suit.

 

[amandajp79]

Any updated info on this topic? How much property is needed to have backyard chickens?