HELP!

[BantamUsername]

I live in an area where you aren't allowed to own chickens. Yesterday animal control came and said "i will arrive tomorrow and if you don't remove these chickens you will be fined and the chickens will be tooken away" im currently going to move out, but I need more time. What can I do ? Can they legally take away my chickens?

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I live in an area where you aren't allowed to own chickens. Yesterday animal control came and said "i will arrive tomorrow and if you don't remove these chickens you will be fined and the chickens will be tooken away" im currently going to move out, but I need more time. What can I do ? Can they legally take away my chickens?

My guess is yes, animal control probably can legally take away the chickens you are illegally harboring.

You can try talking with them (or better put your request in writing) and requesting an extension of time. If you have proof that you are moving they may give you an "extension" on your time frame.

Or you can let them take and hold the chickens, pay the fine and get them back once you've moved. Not what would be idea... sometimes we get ourselves into circumstances and have to deal though.

For future reference... there are always consequences if you get caught doing what you know you shouldn't.

Maybe you have a friend or family who could temporarily house them while you are moving. Or you might even rehome them and get some new chooks once you are done.

Don't know if it will change anything but you might be able to move them to an indoor kennel temporarily.

I'm against people just breaking the rules because they think thjey can get away with it.

But I realize we all have reasons why we do what we do... we are here to support each other at BYC, and help find solutions and maybe make better choices if we face them again in the future.

Hopefully some of my suggestions will be helpful. Moving is hard. Good luck and best wishes!

 

[Northern.Ontario]

I live in an area where you aren't allowed to own chickens. Yesterday animal control came and said "i will arrive tomorrow and if you don't remove these chickens you will be fined and the chickens will be tooken away" im currently going to move out, but I need more time. What can I do ? Can they legally take away my chickens?

Hide them in your house until you move? Tell animal control you gave the chickens to a farmer.

 

[BantamUsername]

My guess is yes, animal control probably can legally take away the chickens you are illegally harboring.

You can try talking with them (or better put your request in writing) and requesting an extension of time. If you have proof that you are moving they may give you an "extension" on your time frame.

Or you can let them take and hold the chickens, pay the fine and get them back once you've moved. Not what would be idea... sometimes we get ourselves into circumstances and have to deal though.

For future reference... there are always consequences if you get caught doing what you know you shouldn't.

Maybe you have a friend or family who could temporarily house them while you are moving. Or you might even rehome them and get some new chooks once you are done.

Don't know if it will change anything but you might be able to move them to an indoor kennel temporarily.

I'm against people just breaking the rules because they think thjey can get away with it.

But I realize we all have reasons why we do what we do... we are here to support each other at BYC, and help find solutions and maybe make better choices if we face them again in the future.

Hopefully some of my suggestions will be helpful. Moving is hard. Good luck and best wishes!

Well when I moved in, and there wasn't any paperwork saying that you aren't allowed to keep chickens, and animal control only came because someone made a report stating that the chicken was very aggressive

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Well when I moved in, and there wasn't any paperwork saying that you aren't allowed to keep chickens, and animal control only came because someone made a report stating that the chicken was very aggressive

Yes, there was no paperwork telling us no chickens either. I just knew I had to check zoning laws. But we all learn things at different times. I've been a home owner for a while now, but never knew that stuff when I was younger either.

Have you checked you local ordinance yet to see if you are allowed chickens or not? You might get answers from code enforcement. Or well, I guess animal control might not help you much... maybe your county agriculture department will have some answers. Many places DO allow for certain things with guidelines... So I wouldn't just take the answer of a single animal control officer without doing some of my own research. Sometimes they are under or misinformed. And they only care about greasing the squeaking wheel, not making sure everyone knows THEIR rights.

I know neighbors can be a real bother. And they might have good reason. Even though I am zoned to keep them, I was told by animal control that if my neighbors have issue then I do regardless of zoning in our area. Fortunately neighbors haven't been my chicken issue. When I did live in the city, most were happy to hear and see them. All enjoyed the fresh and free eggs on occasion. I always kill them with kindness... which if they are angry people anyways, just heaps hot coals on their heads.

Aggressive chicken? Stupid neighbor.

Definitely do not sit back and just take it without finding out where you stand legally. Even areas that are zoned against farm animals have allowances for short term raising of 4H animals and such. Heck go to the doctor and get a note that they are companion or therapy animals to you.