Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[divona98]

Hello,
We currently own property in Michigan's lower peninsula that is zoned Agricultural, we have chickens for our own use and we sell eggs at local Farmers Markets.

Our homeowner's insurance lists us as "Country Estate" and we get a lower rate for selling Farm Products.

We plan on moving this fall, found a 7.95 acre small farm in the upper peninsula we viewed, researched, and put an offer in on. It has a home, shed, fenced garden, fruit trees, and a poultry pen (no coop).

It is surrounded by other rural home/farm type parcels from 1 to 80 acres and fronts across from thousands of acres of state land. The closest home is over 500' away.

Only waiting now on the appraisal...however we just got disappointing news from the Delta County Zoning, which states this property is actually Zoned R-2 and "Farm animals such as horses, cows, or fowl, are not permitted."
(Zoning was not stated in the sales listing). This R-2 zoning is closely surrounded/bordered by Resource Production and Timber Production zoning.

Is there anyone in Delta County, Michigan who has been successful with the "Michigan Right To Farm Act" as concerns keeping chickens and having a roadside farm stand?

We really do not want to get rid of our chickens.
The RTFA "...the commercial production, harvesting, and storage of farm products, and includes, but is not limited to: Marketing produce at roadside stands or farm markets."

That is what we do.

 

[Folly's place]

So sorry you have this problem, I'd think buying it while hoping to have a zoning variance would not be a good idea. @RaZ tried for a 'Right to Farm Act' variance years ago in Garden City, of all places, and failed. You could talk to local officials about it, but I'd find another property if possible.
In an actual fight with local zoning boards, takes time, at least, not so good. Can you get a variance before closing the deal?
Mary

 

[divona98]

So sorry you have this problem, I'd think buying it while hoping to have a zoning variance would not be a good idea. @RaZ tried for a 'Right to Farm Act' variance years ago in Garden City, of all places, and failed. You could talk to local officials about it, but I'd find another property if possible.
In an actual fight with local zoning boards, takes time, at least, not so good. Can you get a variance befor closing the deal?
Mary

We might have to try for a variance. We are supposed to close in 25 days (it was a hotly bid for property), unfortunately the listing did not have Zoning info, the agent did not know, and we just received confirmation of the R-2 zoning today.

 

[jpalmatier83]

We might have to try for a variance. We are supposed to close in 25 days (it was a hotly bid for property), unfortunately the listing did not have Zoning info, the agent did not know, and we just received confirmation of the R-2 zoning today.

How many birds are you talking about? Many townships have have exemptions for up to 6 hens and 0 roosters even in residential zones.

I see you said delta county, but usually zoning is by township, not county. Do you know what township the property is in?

 

[divona98]

How many birds are you talking about? Many townships have have exemptions for up to 6 hens and 0 roosters even in residential zones.

I see you said delta county, but usually zoning is by township, not county. Do you know what township the property is in?

We currently have about 50 hens and 12 roosters but planned on only taking 5 or 6 hens and a rooster with us.
The Township is Nahma.
The reply from Zoning to my question about zoning, just stated that their County Zoning Map showed the property is Residential 2

 

[jpalmatier83]

We currently have about 50 hens and 12 roosters but planned on only taking 5 or 6 hens and a rooster with us.
The Township is Nahma.
The reply from Zoning to my question about zoning, just stated that their County Zoning Map showed the property is Residential 2

A cursory reading of that townships ordinances does not show an exemption for a small number of birds in R-2 zone…

https://deltacountymi.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Delta-County-Zoning-Ordinance.pdf

Crazy you can’t even keep 6 birds on 8 acres…

I wish you the best if you decide to pursue a variance or special use authorization.

 

[Folly's place]

Also consider talking to the neighbors; if any of them are opposed to your plan, that won't be good. The local township officials will be either helpful, or not. Buying this property, and then you can't do what you plan? Bad idea!
Mary

 

[Folly's place]

Today I found this dead moth in our back yard, under a big maple tree. Never saw one like this before, any ideas?

Mouth and antennae no longer there, it's been dead a while.
Mary

 

[Dreamzchaser]

Hi lovelies, there has been not much rain here but by midnight last night, it woke me up. It was a torrential rain,lol
Everyone is free ranging fine. A usual, some older girls get the Sussexes,the sussees after the brown leghorns and the those after the buckeyes. However, the buckeyes get along with babies because they are about the same size.

However, Lupita ditched the kids and pecks at them at closing time. So today, she is learning a hard lesson. In a cage with Jlo and she is getting pecked by her. Pitbull is my beloved boy caring for the babies. They look so cute tonight!

 

[Chickin Fairy]

Hey, everybody. I've been back and forth about my jerk-face Wyandottes for a minute now. While they are EXCELLENT layers, they are just jerk-faces.

I have two. One is about in the middle of the pecking order and is a feather picker (but not terribly bad) and she goes after the other Wyandotte, who is at the bottom of the pecking order.

The one at the bottom of the pecking order goes after my bantams and gets picked on by the other girls. She can't seem to learn her place and is always running from someone. Yesterday, my nearly head-hen mounted her and grabbed her comb.

Is there anyone who can give me some peace of mind? Maybe I'm overreacting. I feel overwhelmed with two new birds being added (silver lacewing bantams) and just want everyone to get along! Do I need to give them more space? They have a run that is 64 Sq ft, but maybe it isn't enough. I have 5 standard sized birds and 3 bantams.

The "babies" are now 7 weeks old and have been sleeping in the big coop the last two nights. Last night, they all rooster together and they were all fine. Whew. This chicken thing is easy to overthink, huh?