Legalities

[Dave Z]

Last Tuesday two of my roosters passed from this life...with some help from me. Made great soup. But since then I've had two people say they think it might be illegal to slaughter chickens at home. I realize this would probably vary from place to place, but are such laws common? Local or state? (I'm in California. If it's illegal anywhere, this would be the place) And where would I find out? Thanks!

 

[Burbs]

Don't think so. There are specific regulations that apply to establishments that sell but not for private consumption.

Here's a link.......

http://www.animallaw.info/statutes/stuscafood_ag_19501_19503.htm

I bet Nifty could weigh in on this one.

 

[cassie]

I live in California and have never heard anything about it being illegal to slaughter anything at home for your own consumption. Some urban areas don't want you killing chickens there. If I lived in such a place I would just keep things quiet and out of sight.

 

[Ibicella]

The only place I've ever heard of that was in the UK.

 

[mdbokc]

Nope, we have those kinds of restrictions in different municipalities in this state regarding even personal consumption. Our part of the state does not which is why, according to the newspaper, some have moved here from other areas. And here, there are still codes for disposal of the carcass parts not intended for consumption.

 

[Buck Creek Chickens]

some cities do have laws about butchering, because there have been immigrant groups of peoples (I'm trying to say this without offending anyone) who flush the non-edible parts in to the sewer systems. or raise there meat birds in the basement.

 

[fasbendera]

If you don't live in a community with covenants (regulations you would have been informed of when you purchased your house or signed a rental lease) then I would check out your city if you live within the city limits, township if you live in one or county regulations. Local regulations trump the higher ones. Someone already said it isn't a state law so you have to work down the tree. Most of these municipalities have web sites so it should be easier.

 

[Armageddon]

I live in Lancaster, CA and I can't find my city regulations about keeping birds, let alone processing them.....which I intend to do both, when they are old enough.

 

[Buck Creek Chickens]

most cities frown at processing birds at home, but if you don't make a mess, scare you neighbors kids with a beheading, and you dispose the non-edible parts right. you should be all right

 

[Keene's coop]

i'm in neenah, wisconsin, it is illegal to kill chickens in the city. but my neighbor told me that one of the previous owners of my house did it anyways,but in the basement so no one could see.