First of all, an apology to those reading who don't have to deal with the crap I am dealing with (read: those with lots of acreage...).
I emailed about three months ago (Headline "5 acres, can you believe?"), that my township's codes state you need 5 acres in order to have barnyard animals, and I was torn because I really wanted to start raising hens. Well I went ahead and quietly ordered, then received, and now we're nurturing a dozen little beauties. They're about to turn 4 weeks this week, and I'm told that Code Enforcement started driving by the house, slowly, turning around at the corners and driving by several times, while I was at work Friday. The chicks are still in my garage and I carry them out once a day to the back so they can range for an hour, then put them back.
Apparently either one of my children's friend's parents reported us, or it's a random drive by (NOT), and I am now thinking that I got a boatload of trouble coming my way. I spoke to a few of the adjoining neighbors already, using all the helpful advice from books and postings, and I expected by their positive reactions that we were going to be fine with those we spoke with not reporting us. We are planning on keeping 3 of them in a small coop and attached pen that was just finished being build by a family friend, and have a friend taking the other 9. They should be outdoors by next weekend. I'm just beside myself that someone would report us this quickly, and that I'm probably going to lose out on experiencing keeping laying hens in my township, when other townships close by have NO stipulations for keeping them whatsoever.
i need help, a hug, suggestions, something to help pick my heart off the floor. Please no "I told you so's"...I can't bear it right now. I've been so pleased with the amount of support those have offered in my initial post. Now I'm feeling very scared and not sure what to do.
Thanks, and peace,
Jen
I emailed about three months ago (Headline "5 acres, can you believe?"), that my township's codes state you need 5 acres in order to have barnyard animals, and I was torn because I really wanted to start raising hens. Well I went ahead and quietly ordered, then received, and now we're nurturing a dozen little beauties. They're about to turn 4 weeks this week, and I'm told that Code Enforcement started driving by the house, slowly, turning around at the corners and driving by several times, while I was at work Friday. The chicks are still in my garage and I carry them out once a day to the back so they can range for an hour, then put them back.
Apparently either one of my children's friend's parents reported us, or it's a random drive by (NOT), and I am now thinking that I got a boatload of trouble coming my way. I spoke to a few of the adjoining neighbors already, using all the helpful advice from books and postings, and I expected by their positive reactions that we were going to be fine with those we spoke with not reporting us. We are planning on keeping 3 of them in a small coop and attached pen that was just finished being build by a family friend, and have a friend taking the other 9. They should be outdoors by next weekend. I'm just beside myself that someone would report us this quickly, and that I'm probably going to lose out on experiencing keeping laying hens in my township, when other townships close by have NO stipulations for keeping them whatsoever.
i need help, a hug, suggestions, something to help pick my heart off the floor. Please no "I told you so's"...I can't bear it right now. I've been so pleased with the amount of support those have offered in my initial post. Now I'm feeling very scared and not sure what to do.
Thanks, and peace,
Jen