illegal chickens. first time egg song. neighbors came by today to say hi...

[asteria01]

Our wyandotte is at the age where shes just about to lay and sang the egg song for the first time this morning! we have 3 more EEs, but they wont be laying until 3 months later. within the hour, on two separate occasions, our neighbors directly behind us and the ones to the side of us came by to say hi and asked us what we were doing, very nicely, of course. We had also been building our coop so there was a lot of construction noise for the past week, so we explained that we were building a chicken coop and that it would cleaner for our yard and safer for our chickens this way.

One neighbor came by with his dog and was amazed that we knew how to build a coop and my dad offered eggs to which the neighbor said, "oh cool nice. they are better for you, arent they?"

The other neighbor was a nanny and she came by with the family's little boy and wanted to see what we were raising, since they said they had heard our wyandotte. we also explained to her our plans and offered eggs once laid, to which she agreed to take. They sometimes come by to see our pets (goldfish, cats, etc) since their little boy likes to see, so they seem animal friendly?

I think they were just curious about whats going on in our yard, and from this meeting they seemed okay with it? We live in a gated community, and for the most part no one has really ever bothered us, or tattled on us for anything else. I feel like they came because of the egg song and they were curious about what we had. they didnt seem to react badly this time, but Im worried that they would eventually change their minds about us if the egg songs get worse later on? how do u guys feel about it? the other neighbor on the other side of our fence hasnt said anything though, and I wonder if we should make an appearance..

 

[WthrLady]

I think you are in for a surprise from the neighbors you haven't seen yet. You've met the ones that had a good excuse for visiting, but now the word is out and the gossip line is in full force, whether they are maliciously spreading the word or just plain over the fence talking to each other.

I hate to say it, but you are aware that they aren't allowed, so be prepared to loose them, or change the rules.

 

[asteria01]

I think you are in for a surprise from the neighbors you haven't seen yet. You've met the ones that had a good excuse for visiting, but now the word is out and the gossip line is in full force, whether they are maliciously spreading the word or just plain over the fence talking to each other.

I hate to say it, but you are aware that they aren't allowed, so be prepared to loose them, or change the rules.

as long as the people directly next to us are okay with it, for the most part no one else would be bothered right? the way it is as of now is as long as no one complains about us, then the city wont make us get rid of them. no one actually inspects unless there is a reason to.. ie a complaint of some sort.

 

[WthrLady]

I know, but we read here everyday of someone having to get rid of their illegal chickens because someone complained. Like I said, it might not be your direct neighbors. It could be some grump several doors, or blocks away. While he might not be directly bothered by noise, he might be annoyed with the simple fact that you have them and they are against the rules. It only takes one to complain. And as their is either a local ordinance or HOA regulation against it, they are within their rights. They are illegal, or against the HOA, or whatever is your case that makes them "illegal".

Like I said, your friendly neighbor might be ok with it, but they might, in passing, mention it to someone else who is NOT. Then you have a problem.


I personally cannot imagine getting them, getting attached to them, and spending the $$ on them, KNOWING they aren't allowed, and you could be slapped with fines, seizure orders, or worse. Not to mention living in fear of all that happening.

 

[junebuggena]

I live on an acre of property. When one of my girls starts the egg song, it can be heard down the road. Their voices can really carry. Be prepared to lose your flock.

 

[Mutt Farm]

as long as the people directly next to us are okay with it, for the most part no one else would be bothered right? the way it is as of now is as long as no one complains about us, then the city wont make us get rid of them. no one actually inspects unless there is a reason to.. ie a complaint of some sort.

Neighbors can be stinkers. I suspect the glorious egg song is more pleasant than a barking dog, but some folks are funny. I'm in Ca as well. I've found that even friends that thought it was odd for me to start raising chickens are now quite fascinated. Neighbors who are now paying over $5. per dz for store eggs are my new best friends. Hope you have enough eggs to bribe the neighborhood!

 

[asteria01]

Neighbors can be stinkers. I suspect the glorious egg song is more pleasant than a barking dog, but some folks are funny. I'm in Ca as well. I've found that even friends that thought it was odd for me to start raising chickens are now quite fascinated. Neighbors who are now paying over $5. per dz for store eggs are my new best friends. Hope you have enough eggs to bribe the neighborhood!

i hope so too! i dont mind giving out eggs to keep the peace. generally speaking, though, how fast do these notices from the city come? if our chickens are creating a disturbance then people who have issues should immediately file a complaint right? if thats the case then I can expect a complaint soon from someone relatively quickly if someone has a problem with it. i know technically people can always complain at anytime, but people who really have a problem with it should complain soon? i mean, i dont want to think if someone had issues with it from the beginning that 4 years down the line they would suddenly file a complaint in the future...

oh yes, and i think they just send us a letter to inform us of our 'illegal activities', and tell us to get rid of them.

 

[WthrLady]

It could come tomorrow, it could come next week, it may never come. With 4 hens you're looking at only 2-4 eggs a day, unless it gets too dark, they go broody, or it gets too hot. How many eggs, which were originally going to your family are you willing to give away to keep people quiet?

I too prefer the joyous egg song to the endless, yapping at nothing dog. The difference is that dogs are NOT illegal, and in most places, neither is their barking unless it is before or after a certain hour.

Just saying. You KNOW they are illegal, and yet you got them anyway. Be prepared. You may JUST get a letter, or a letter followed up by a visit to make sure you complied. If you have not, then come the fines. And you cannot even plead ignorance of the law as you have posted online, publicly of your knowledge of the law and payment to others for their, hopeful, silence.

 

[Mutt Farm]

i hope so too! i dont mind giving out eggs to keep the peace. generally speaking, though, how fast do these notices from the city come? if our chickens are creating a disturbance then people who have issues should immediately file a complaint right? if thats the case then I can expect a complaint soon from someone relatively quickly if someone has a problem with it. i know technically people can always complain at anytime, but people who really have a problem with it should complain soon? i mean, i dont want to think if someone had issues with it from the beginning that 4 years down the line they would suddenly file a complaint in the future...

oh yes, and i think they just send us a letter to inform us of our 'illegal activities', and tell us to get rid of them.

Sorry this is happening. It depends on what City. It's a zoning issue? or a subdivision violation? If someone files a complaint, you're kinda sunk if you're not zoned for chickens. There is a great active thread on BYC re how to change zoning! Check the dropdown on forum navigation. Good luck!

 

[asteria01]

Sorry this is happening. It depends on what City. It's a zoning issue? or a subdivision violation? If someone files a complaint, you're kinda sunk if you're not zoned for chickens. There is a great active thread on BYC re how to change zoning! Check the dropdown on forum navigation. Good luck!

Its a district issue. Apparently only certain districts of fresno are allowed chickens, while i thought chickens would be allowed throughout the city. i mean, you would think that fresno would openly allow chickens, not only because this is an agricultural area but becuase even our tractor supply sells chicks during easter and our costco sells chicken coops and organic chicken feed, but only certain districts within fresno are allowed chickens because they are zoned differently to us. i only found out after our chickens that this is how fresno really is, so by then it was too late. we just hoped that at this point we could get by on minimal sound, and i guess the mercy of our neighbors.