My heart is broken / Told to get rid of my girls / Resolved!

[Buugette]

Don't tell the township... but I was the one who won the raffle for the incubator... does that help?

Quote:
Where you at Chicken Stock on May 23rd? I think I met you... you look familiar...

D

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Verify your zoning and the allowed uses. Check to see what the ordinances say about pets. The specific language about both is important. If available online, post links

 

[Buugette]

Edited to remove links...

Diana

 

[rhaj]

I'm so sorry. This is what I worry about so much too.

I really hope they let you keep them. Keep us posted.

 

[jjthink]

It is all rediculous when one considers that those 4 little munchkins put together weigh less than your average dog. And make a heck of a lot less noise than many dogs.

They may have you technically (when I click on the links all I get is a Table of Contents) but maybe you can bring them indoors and when you let them out for a bit each day they could in theory be visiting from somewhere. Is there a way to give them some outdoor time where they would not be in plain sight?

Would your chicken-keeping neighbors be willing at some point in the not too distant future to team up and propose an ordinance allowing chicken keeping for non commercial purposes? This is being done in many places in the country so there's lots of info out there on how to do this and a lot has been posted here on BYC.

Hang in there. Creativity can buy time.

JJ

 

[Buugette]

Quote:
The ordinanes take a minute to load... then you get a bunch of icons to choose from for all the different sections... so confusing...

All us chicken owners around here are hiding. I couldn't ask anyone to stand with me and risk losing their girls. I'm too upset tonight... can't get my head around what to do. I'm taking this really hard... I ddn't realize how attached to them I am. I don't think I can look my 11 year old daughter in he eyes and tell her what's going on.

D

 

[M@M@2four]

House chickens!!! I would use a large dog crate for them in the house. SO sorry, but I would still figure out a way to keep them one way or another! It's not like you have some massive amounts of chickens and roos and they're bantams on top of it! Don't cry--just make adjustments!

Do you own your property? Do you have a closed in fence? There's gotta be some way wound this!!! I wish you all the best!

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Check hte zoning map to verify which zoning district your house falls under.

 

[Aframechickens191]

If you consider these chickens pets, then technically they ARE pets and not livestock. You dont plan to eat them! And town administrators CANNOT force people to get rid of their pets unless they are a nuisance! The town sending you a letter like that is B.S. in my opinion. Make sure whoever you call knows very clearly that these are beloved "pets" that you let into your house and give names to! Tell them the chicken names! If you dont have any roos crowing at 4 am I dont think they have proper grounds to do this to you. So please dont tell your 11 yo anything official just yet. If this were my situation, id make sure I had a happy ending and came out victorious! Best of luck, stay strong!

 

[huntercf]

OK this might be a stretch but might be worth a try. Under PA's right to farm law there is a section that says the following:

§ 953. Limitation on local ordinances
(a) Every municipality shall encourage the continuity, development and viability of agricultural operations within its jurisdiction. Every municipality that defines or prohibits a public nuisance shall exclude from the definition of such nuisance any agricultural operation conducted in accordance with normal agricultural operations so long as the agricultural operation does not have a direct adverse effect on the public health and safety.

In the same law it states:
“Normal agricultural operation.” The activities, practices, equipment and procedures that farmers adopt, use or engage in the production and preparation for market of poultry, livestock and their products and in the production, harvesting and preparation for market or use of agricultural, agronomic, horticultural, silvicultural and aquacultural crops and commodities and is:
(1) not less than ten contiguous acres in area; or
(2) less than ten contiguous acres in area but has an anticipated yearly gross income of at least $10,000.

I imagine you don't live on 10 acres, it is a stretch I know, however you could argue that the city is violating the law because they are not following section 953 and you could say (if you work), that the combined income on your 'farm' is over $10,000.

It really depends on how much they want to pursue this. Since I copied and pasted from the actual law, I would say there is some grey areas for you to use. If you tell them you are covered under the state law they may back off.

Also, you could request an appeal hearing and maybe state that you wish to confront the complainer at your hearing as guaranteed under the U.S. constitution.

Tough situation and I wish you the best.