MARYLAND THREAD!

[Suedan]

Hi from down in southern MD (way, way down south...

)

As for the poultry registration thing, I don't think it's a big deal for anyone just keeping a small backyard flock (though the state would probably tell you otherwise--I think they want everyone to register regardless, but that's never going to happen). It's more of an issue for people who are selling birds, showing, etc. I am registered because I have a permit to operate a hatchery and sell live birds and hatching eggs. However, when I just had a few laying hens, I did not (and would not have) registered.

Hi! From southern Maryland, St.Marys County!

 

[Amber3113]

Anyone interested in a buff bantam Cochin hen? She is not getting along with my other bantams and I think she would be better with bigger birds. I've had to seperate her because she keeps picking on the others.for some reason I can't get pics to post it keeps saying error. I will try for pics later.

 

[MROO]

Anyone interested in a buff bantam Cochin hen? She is not getting along with my other bantams and I think she would be better with bigger birds. I've had to seperate her because she keeps picking on the others.for some reason I can't get pics to post it keeps saying error. I will try for pics later.

Quite possibly! How old is she and has she had any health issues?
I'm right up the road in Cecil County. She's welcome to come live with my mixed bantam/standard flock. It fluctuates, but is currently at seven. This little flock is made up of Five Nannies (three hens, a cockerel and a very good rooster) and two standard pullets, a New Hampshire red and a very large Jersey Giant. The standards are elementary school dropouts ... rescues from a local kindergarten class with too many peeps and not enough homes. There are enough pushy personalities and super-sizes that a small bully should be put in her place fairy readily, but it's a small enough group that it happen pretty safely.
If you pm me, we can swap numbers & chat.

EDIT to add: And if you're interested in a young rooster, I have a couple of really nice Nankins that could use a flock of their own. The Livestock Conservancy has some good information on this breed, as they are critically endangered ... and VERY neat little birds!
https://livestockconservancy.org/index.php/heritage/internal/nankin

 

[Amber3113]

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Q7VMfwfwui7C3Td78 picture of Cochin hen

 

[jayytee17]

Hey, ya'll!

Yesterday I got a lovely visit from a rather unpleasant man that works for the county stating that there was a complaint about me having bonfires on my property. Upon inspection the unpleasant man determined that since there are rocks around the fire pit that it is perfectly legal. Whoever complained is clearly out to get me because the fire complaint was a total bust so they then filed a complaint about my chickens.

I live in Dublin, Maryland (close to Darlington) in a very rural area on a little over an acre. My neighbors on either side of me and I collectively decided to get some chickens and ducks to raise. We knew that two acres was required but determined that altogether our three properties are over three acres. We could not find any laws or regulations against "combining" our properties to share the ducks and chickens and since the coop is on my property in the middle, it does not interfere with anyone else's property that may not want to be close to a duck and chicken coop/run.

I have been given ten days to remove my ducks and chickens from my property. I am absolutely devastated. My ducks and chickens are spoiled rotten between my neighbors and I, always well cared for and their coop is well maintained. I allow them to free range when I am home and can keep an eye on them just for their safety and to make sure they are not bothering anyone else. They are not loud, they do not smell and they have never damaged anyone's property. They are very friendly and personable, eating out of my hand and following me through the yard waiting for treats! It breaks my heart to think I will have to re-home them.

I use the eggs from the ducks and chickens as a source of food. I also sell them to make money. I am an avid hunter and I fish a lot to put food on the table for myself and my neighbors (which was the main reason I got the chickens and ducks in the first place). I live alone on a teacher's salary and recently ended an engagement three weeks before my wedding due to finding out my fiance was running around on me behind my back. I am not trying to throw a pity party, but give background on my personal life to show how much I depend on the food I harvest from my poultry to help me with my finances and saving money as I went from a two-income household to one very suddenly.

I am writing this post to find out if there are any exceptions for having chickens on less than two acres in Harford County. The surrounding counties (Baltimore and Cecil) only require one acre and I am right on the PA line where they also only require one acre. Since my neighbors and I share the chickens we "technically" have over three acres but I am not sure if that can be used as an exception. I also sell the eggs as a means to make ends meet so I am not sure if I can use that to my advantage.

I also thought that maybe getting a petition signed would be a possibility to get the county to side in my favor? But I am not sure how that all works.

If anyone has any information on exceptions, petitions or anything that I can do to fight (and win) for my ducks and chickens it would be greatly appreciated! I really do not want to get rid of my ducks and chickens. Aside from them providing me eggs as a food source, I really am attached to them and view them as my pets. Thank you in advance!

 

[MROO]

Hey, ya'll!

Yesterday I got a lovely visit from a rather unpleasant man that works for the county stating that there was a complaint about me having bonfires on my property. Upon inspection the unpleasant man determined that since there are rocks around the fire pit that it is perfectly legal. Whoever complained is clearly out to get me because the fire complaint was a total bust so they then filed a complaint about my chickens.

I live in Dublin, Maryland (close to Darlington) in a very rural area on a little over an acre. My neighbors on either side of me and I collectively decided to get some chickens and ducks to raise. We knew that two acres was required but determined that altogether our three properties are over three acres. We could not find any laws or regulations against "combining" our properties to share the ducks and chickens and since the coop is on my property in the middle, it does not interfere with anyone else's property that may not want to be close to a duck and chicken coop/run.

I have been given ten days to remove my ducks and chickens from my property. I am absolutely devastated. My ducks and chickens are spoiled rotten between my neighbors and I, always well cared for and their coop is well maintained. I allow them to free range when I am home and can keep an eye on them just for their safety and to make sure they are not bothering anyone else. They are not loud, they do not smell and they have never damaged anyone's property. They are very friendly and personable, eating out of my hand and following me through the yard waiting for treats! It breaks my heart to think I will have to re-home them.

I use the eggs from the ducks and chickens as a source of food. I also sell them to make money. I am an avid hunter and I fish a lot to put food on the table for myself and my neighbors (which was the main reason I got the chickens and ducks in the first place). I live alone on a teacher's salary and recently ended an engagement three weeks before my wedding due to finding out my fiance was running around on me behind my back. I am not trying to throw a pity party, but give background on my personal life to show how much I depend on the food I harvest from my poultry to help me with my finances and saving money as I went from a two-income household to one very suddenly.

I am writing this post to find out if there are any exceptions for having chickens on less than two acres in Harford County. The surrounding counties (Baltimore and Cecil) only require one acre and I am right on the PA line where they also only require one acre. Since my neighbors and I share the chickens we "technically" have over three acres but I am not sure if that can be used as an exception. I also sell the eggs as a means to make ends meet so I am not sure if I can use that to my advantage.

I also thought that maybe getting a petition signed would be a possibility to get the county to side in my favor? But I am not sure how that all works.

If anyone has any information on exceptions, petitions or anything that I can do to fight (and win) for my ducks and chickens it would be greatly appreciated! I really do not want to get rid of my ducks and chickens. Aside from them providing me eggs as a food source, I really am attached to them and view them as my pets. Thank you in advance!

First ... I am so sorry you find yourself in the messed up predicament. People can be jerks!

Take a deep breath and call your zoning office. Today. NOW, if you can. Explain the situation with the shared lots and your neighbors and find out how to file for a zoning variance. Do NOT play the failed relationship or selling eggs, or even the "nasty neighbor" cards. For now, at least, this is strictly a zoning issue. Your zoning office (I believe it's in Bel Air) will know if there are exceptions and can advise you on how to file the variance. DO IT THIS WEEK! It's easy to do, it just takes a little time. You'll need to get your neighbors onboard, as they'll need to verify that the birds and the property are shared.

Move quickly on this, as you'll have to attend a zoning meeting, and you don't know when that is scheduled. If you miss it, you have to start over for next month's meeting.

If one of your neighbors has children under 18, have them contact the Agricultural Extension Office and get them signed up for 4H. It's an awesome, inexpensive (how does $10 a year sound?) program for youth and they get to show at the County Fair. They can also qualify for a zoning waiver for a 4H project!

Don't write off your birds, yet. You can do this!

 

[jayytee17]

Thank you SO much for this information! I absolutely will be calling the zoning office today. Thank you so much for the information! I will keep you posted =)

 

[krowl]

Hello from Carroll County! So it's starting to get colder...I'm loving it!! however, at what point do you get worried about the cold weather and chickens? This will be my first winter season with chickens, so I figured I would check to see what everyone is doing to keep their chickens warm etc.; the coop itself, is well insulated! so I am not worried there!

 

[blackoaktammy]

Hello there! I'm in Carroll County too. As long as your chickens have been outside, they will acclimate to the winter weather. If they have adequate shelter, and it sounds like they do, your only worry is water. Some people use heaters in their water. That isn't an option for me, so I use the black rubber livestock feed bowls. The black helps the water not to freeze as fast. In the morning and night, I put in a fresh bowl and take out the frozen one. Turn the frozen bowl upside down, and the sun melts the ice enough that it pops right out.

 

[krowl]

Hello there! I'm in Carroll County too. As long as your chickens have been outside, they will acclimate to the winter weather. If they have adequate shelter, and it sounds like they do, your only worry is water. Some people use heaters in their water. That isn't an option for me, so I use the black rubber livestock feed bowls. The black helps the water not to freeze as fast. In the morning and night, I put in a fresh bowl and take out the frozen one. Turn the frozen bowl upside down, and the sun melts the ice enough that it pops right out.

Ohhh thats on my agenda to figure out a solution...do you have a link to these bowls you use? I'd much rather try that before working electric heaters etc.