Michigan Right to Farm Law, what does it mean?

[jimmywalt]

I am more than willing to support this and to do whatever is needed of me! Up until yesterday, I have 3 beautiful hens that had just started laying on Tuesday. On Wednesday, I received my nice little violation notice stating that chickens were not permitted on my property and that they had to be removed! My husband called the inspector the next day explaining to him that there are at least 2 other homes on our street that have chickens, one of them having a rooster ( he did not give names or addresses as we are NOT going to make trouble for other chicken owners ). The inspector stated that he knew that and they get to keep theirs because they have had no complaints, but because we had a complaint from a grumpy old lady that has not liked me from day one, I had to get rid of mine!! How very unfair that seems to me, but thankfully i was able to find them a wonderful home. Now my next mission is to try and change the ordinance in my town and I am hoping that this organization can lead me in the right direction and if i can help to get laws changed, that would be wonderful!

Could I ask where are you located? Sorry to hear this. I'm worried about the exact same thing.

 

[RTFchickens]

There is help for us all! There is something called Farm To Consumer Legal Defense Fund. I joined their membership for I think $150. Let me tell you guys, they have been great!!! With the membership comes free legal advice. My township does NOT allow chickens, and I too received multiple violations and after telling township I was using RTF they still said I didn't fit the criteria...
With this FTCLD attorney, they are now admitting I DO have RTF protection. Township is backing down!!! Please look into these people. I'm not advertising for them in any way, and get no kind of kick back if you use them. I found out about it right here on BYC. If it were not for this FTCLDF I would not still have my chickens!
Feel free to PM me if you need more info.

 

[Peep-Chicken]

There is help for us all! There is something called Farm To Consumer Legal Defense Fund. I joined their membership for I think $150. Let me tell you guys, they have been great!!! With the membership comes free legal advice. My township does NOT allow chickens, and I too received multiple violations and after telling township I was using RTF they still said I didn't fit the criteria...
With this FTCLD attorney, they are now admitting I DO have RTF protection. Township is backing down!!! Please look into these people. I'm not advertising for them in any way, and get no kind of kick back if you use them. I found out about it right here on BYC. If it were not for this FTCLDF I would not still have my chickens!
Feel free to PM me if you need more info.

I am going to look into this. Sounds awesome

 

[mom-of-3-hens]

I will definitely look into this! Thank you

 

[mom-of-3-hens]

I dont what to say to much as to where I am located as I do not want the others on my street with chickens to have any problems due to me! I will say that i am in the not so nice part of clinton township and there are way more important issues that people should be worrying about rather than me and my very quiet hens and veggie garden!!! As long as no one complains about your chickens, you will be fine as that is what the inspector told my husband. I am going to try and get this changed, just need to figure out my first step. I did some research and I found that you are allowed to have chickens and/or ducks in the city of Roseville, so I will research how that got to be and start from there

 

[RTFchickens]

I would start by using RTFA, then try to change ordinance. RTF is a state given RIGHT and ordinances are largely out of our control. I agree you should proceed with trying to change your ordinance, but I would put RTF ahead of that on my agenda.
This is strictly my opinion, and I am in the same situation as you...
I hope it all works out for you!

 

[mom-of-3-hens]

I was going to do that until i researched the cases that have prevailed and read how much money was spent in order for them to win those cases!! It is a shame that it boils down to lack of money in my case, but it is what it is. I wish you luck with your crusade and you are absolutely correct in stating that ordinances are out of control!! There are soooo many dogs that bark louder that any noise my hens would make and I have absolutely no problems with odor in my coop,but anyway,good luck and thank you for your advice, it is appreciated!

 

[joesandy1822]

I totally agree. It is a shame it all boils down to money. And it's especially a shame that people who went before us and spent years of their lives and thousands of dollars ended up not guaranteeing our rights. Example is Vikki Papesh. You would think those of us that live in Shelby Township would benefit from her victory and be guaranteed to have chickens, but that is not the case.

And if you are like me and don't really wish to go the whole route of "going commercial", then you can't even claim RTF protection. If you just want to have a few hens for your own enjoyment and fresh eggs, you don't have a leg to stand on at all. It is just totally ridiculous things have come to this point in our society where chickens are a bigger item on the agenda than real criminal activity.

If I weren't a nice person concerned about others, I would be tempted to go through the entire township and find everybody that has chickens, ducks, goats, or a garden (which is equally "illegal") and start complaining. They would have SO MANY cases on their hands that they would probably do anything to get me to shut up. It just doesn't seem right that some can have them if nobody complains, and some can't because they have nasty neighbors. Or if you are wealthy and/or have unlimited time, you can have them, but if you are financially or time limited, then you're out. Seriously . . .

I'm off my soapbox now. Sorry for the rant.

Sandy

 

[RTFchickens]

This is the perfect reason to call FTCLDF! I'm in a battle with my township right now. I'm not wealthy at all. I work hard for what I have, and don't have a ton of money to fight the township. My appointed attorney from FRCLDF has successfully gotten my township to back down.
I joined for like $150 and that's it! I don't get billed by lawyer or anything. It's probably the best $150 I have ever spent!

 

[HandsOffMyHens]

And again, feel free to make yourself heard at the boardmeeting November 7 @ 630 pm when they open the floor to public commentary regarding the chickens at 11111 25 mile road.