MARYLAND THREAD!

[paddock36]

Hello Marylanders. I'm from Baltimore but transplanted to Florida at 4.

 

[lovemychicns]

Anyone have Muscovy's and are willing to sell a female to me. I have a very lonely male. I am trying to find a mate for him. I am also willing to trade a BO roo.

Karen

 

[trapezius]

Hi, I'm new here (registered tonight) and I'm in Montgomery County. I just started growing my own veggies and starting dreaming (literally) about raising chickens. Don't laugh...in the dream I raised chickens in my garage. Of course, I don't think I'm going to do that but it got me thinking about raising chickens!

I was reading the Washington Post article a few weeks back about backyard chickens and was discouraged because I believe I don't have enough land to be able to have a chicken coop on my property. Here's what they said in the article:

Montgomery County
A chicken coop can be no closer than 100 feet from neighboring structures where people live or work.

The full article is here (wondering if any of you read it or have any thoughts on it):
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/13/AR2009051301051.html?sub=AR

I believe Takoma Park is in Montgomery County. Am I to assume that person featured in the article has a bigger piece of land? I'm not sure where the author got his info from. If I don't have 100 feet around my house, does that mean I can't keep chickens?

 

[BreadNButterFarm]

Hi Trapezius ~ Welcome! I am pretty new here also . . . I had chickens 25 years ago in Gaithersburg and now have them in Clarksburg, both in Montgomery County. I too read that article in the Post but am not sure of the local ordinances. We had 1.5 acres in Gburg and now have 28 acres in Cburg so didn't worry about our neighbors . . . are your neighbors nice? Wouldn't they love some fresh eggs every now and then? Mine sure do!!

 

[trapezius]

Hi BreadNButterFarm,
I have less than 1/3 acre. My neighbors are pretty nice and I don't think they would be a problem. I just don't want to break any rules and have to lose my chickens and things like that. I'm pretty sure if I got some, I would be very attached to them.

 

[kayjuggler]

Hi trapezius.
Just wanted to say that I too saw that article and I too don't really know if it is legal for me to have my chickens but I got them anyway. I tried to look up the ordinance for my county (Calvert) and didn't get very far. I finally decided that if it is that hard for me to figure out, and if I plan on being a responsible pet owner, than I should just go for it and "ask for forgivness and not for permission." I think one set of neighbors already think we're odd due to the number of cats and dogs we have. I thought that I might be able to keep the chickens a secret but the neighbors soon figured it out when the chickens started free ranging in the fenced yard and when a couple of young cockerels started crowing before I got a chance to rehome them. So far, though. No chicken police have arrived at my door. I think its worth the risk: they are hilarious and rewarding pets and we love the eggs.
I say: go for it. Look at the cute little coops on the coop page and get yourself no more than 4 pullets. Stick with the heavier laying breeds who are less likely to be "flighty" and fly over your fence. When living in close proximity to neighbors you need to keep your pets on your property. Keep the coop clean...there won't be smell problems when properly maintained. There will be noise when the hens start laying...they love to announce the egg arrival. So, positioning the coop away from neighbors windows will help.
I don't see the difference between a backyard chicken coop and a backyard rabbit hutch. To me, they have similar impact on the backyard environment. Good luck to you.

 

[trapezius]

Hi Kayjuggler, I totally agree that chickens should not be different than any other pet. I mean, people keep all these exotic birds and reptiles and stuff, legal or not. I think chickens are less harmful compared to them. Thanks for the encouragement and advice.

 

[BmoreSS]

Another Marylander here. Actually part of the Baltimore Underground. I have four 3 week old Golden Buffs and am expecting four more day old chicks any time now. I live on 1/4 acre and do some gardening, beekeeping and now keeping chickens.

 

[BethESH]

all new Marylanders!

 

[wendyjones]

Hello, all. I'm a producer with NBC News in Washington, and am working on a piece on "urban farming." Specifically people who keep chickens in cities. I know it's legal to have a limited number of chickens in Baltimore, and am eager to talk with anyone who lives there.

Please email me, or give me a call. And thank you!

Wendy Jones
[email protected]
202-885-4200