Marcellus, MI, no chickens

[HausOfEggwards]

Section 37-2 * Fowl prohibited at large - It shall be unlawful for any person, being the owner or keeper of any poultry or fowl, to suffer or permit the same to go or be at large in the village
Section 37-4 - Keeping Certain Animals - No person shall keep or house any animals or poultry, other than household pets or operate a kennel of four (4) or more dogs within the limits of the Village (Amended by Local LawNo. 2 of 2013)
https://www.villageofmarcellus.com/uploads/5/3/9/5/53954069/chapter_37_-_animal_control.pdf

 

[Brooks_]

I read it as you have to take care of them and not let them run at large.

 

[HausOfEggwards]

I read it as you have to take care of them and not let them run at large.

Hang on I need to copy an additional section (looking at multiple cities, sorry)

 

[BigBlueHen53]

No person shall keep or house any animals or poultry, other than household pets or operate a kennel of four (4) or more dogs within the limits of the Village

Hmmm. Can you have "poultry" if it is a "household pet?" Who decides whether a chicken qualifies as a household pet? When they say "poultry ... household pet," are they thinking more along the lines of a parakeet?

The first paragraph sounds ljke you can have "poultry" as long as you keep it confined. But the ordinance as written seems to give with one hand and take with the other. First it says you have to keep poultry confined. Then it says you can't have any unless it is "a household pet." Does that mean it has to live in the house with you? Come when called? Oddly written and open to challenge, IMO.