Just found out someone complained, I don't want to lose my girls!

[Tala]

Figure out who complained. That's your first thing to do. Find out what the problem is. Crowing? Smells? Flies? Or are they just being a tool? Talk to them if possible and figure out if a compromise can be reached.

If the problem is the later, there's not much you can do about it. Fight the laws, try to get legal, etc. do whatever you can, and if they insist on having an attitude, you can fight dirty right back at them --- but it should be a last resort because nobody really likes waging war with the neighbors.

 

[dieselgrl48]

So sorry to hear.Hope you can keep your bird's.I am lucky enough right now to be living rural in Cow Country basicaly here.The guy down the road has bird's and so Do some of my neighbor's that live about a half mile on another road which is a basic double wide surburbia and No one here has ever complained.I figure if people move out here they are looking for a quite country setting which We have.Of course We DO have some that think a dirt road is the AUDOBON but...guinea's are frequent in the road and old dog's just sunning.We respect all of our neighbor's stock cow's, goat's, horse's and poultry.It's too bad that some people have a piddly problem with someone having a few chicken's.I just don't know what I would do now without my bird's and the duckie's if I have to move.

.Let Us know how it goes and good Luck.DG

 

[Sillystunt]

aren't you intitled to a copy of the law? they are holding you to current law so why wouldnt she give you a copy? That sounds really strange!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You usually can find it online from your local county's website , i wnt to zoning and found it!!!

I wouldn't get rid of anything yet!!!! You have a right to know WHY you were giving a notice............. I agree with slackwater

 

[DragonEggs]

Go see a doctor or therapist. Explain your stress and how unhappy you are and explain that the chickens are what keep you going. Many therapists and psychiatrists actually prescribe getting pets as therapy or medication. I have a friend who has a doctors prescription that says she has to have cats for her health. I bet you can get a doctor to write you a note that says you need them for your health.

 

[TrystInn]

Please contact your local Grange and ask them what they are doing about the zoning laws, same thing with the Oregon Grange.

Best luck!

 

[Mark & Nique]

You should be able to find your town/city/county's ordinances on-line. Educate yourself if no one if helping you.

Next, make friends with your neighbors. When all else fails (local ordinances are meant to be user friendly -- ie public hearings, rewrites, etc), get an attorney to help you navigate.

You can do this, but you will have take action and stop letting folks take action upon your chickens.

 

[chicnfarmer]

Quote:
they can't furnish you with a copy of the law?!? RIDICULOUS.

 

[ondreeuh]

Salem is definitely under pressure to change the law. To clarify to the others on this thread, it is not legal to keep chickens in Salem, and once the city is aware that you are in violation, they ask you to get rid of them. The OP got caught with illegal chickens.

I would ask the city for an exception while the ordinance is being decided ... and if they agree, get it in writing!

 

[BloominOrchid]

OK DEEP BREATH! If they are already in the process of changing the law you are going to be ok! Check online and find out when your township is having a meeting about the chickens. If you having chickens can help the case GET INVOLVED! The more people who show that back yard flocks are a growing movement the better.
Start with your codes, go from there, find other fellow chicken people.
This sounds like it could work out in your favor. If the law changes they cant take them away from you, for having them prior to the change!

Erin who just went to a township meeting today!

 

[kla37]

If you cannot get a copy of the laws, demand a copy though the Freedom of Information Act. They HAVE to give you the laws no matter what kind of political issues they are going through. Talk to someone who works with the ASPCA in your area.