Well, animal control has been on my case more than they really should lately, because someone wrote the mayor saying I was devaluing the neighborhood and couldnt something be done.
When the first guy came out, he was nice and said I was within my legal rights, but I did have 2 baby turkeys too many (I had someone lined up to take them that weekend anyhow). He asked about if we had a HOA, I told him "No, I wouldnt have chickens if we had one!" Said the only way anyone could do anything is if there was an association.
He told me that the mayor had gotten an email and frankly, he would have thrown the darned email away if he had known I applied for a permit, but it had gotten lost on someone's desk for three weeks. Unfortunately, he was not the one that did "inspections", the next guy did that.
The inspection guy didnt contact me for another month, and what a jerk. On a power trip. A month goes by, then he calls me one evening and wants to come immediately! I set it up for next day, cancelling a couple of appointments I had, then he no shows!
Shows up the next day unannounced. He really gave me the business about the babies not having "shelter". I told him they sleep in the house at night or if it rains I bring them in. He asked what was I gonna do for the night with them, etc. I am thinking "DUH, I TOLD you they sleep in the house" but didnt wanna get nasty. Said " Since I had enuff room, couldnt I throw them all in together with the big chickens?" I told him I have a top, thats not good enuff? "Nope, he tells me it has to have SIDES to it (even tho I DO bring them in at night, or if its chilly or its cold, sheesh).
You all know how to integrate chickens and its NOT by throwing them all in together. The babies are six weeks old and are terrified of Lily and Red both. THey would have a heart attack!
So since I cant "throw them all in together" then I have to get rid of some, he gave me til MOnday. He did NOT check to see if they had water, food, anything like that. No measurements were taken but I gave him the measurements.
Now...to my questions...I never figured out who wrote the mayor, my neighbors real close are pretty decent.
Today, a kid brings by a piece of paper saying SOMEONE is starting a neighborhood association. Already have board of directors, president, etc. I am 100% sure this is in an attempt to "do something" about my chickens in the front yard. I have lived here since 1984, and there has been NO association in all that time. I of course dont want any part of one. Wouldnt even buy a house in a neighborhood that HAD one.
Just wondered if a person is grandfathered in, etc when someone "starts" one up. I have never heard of such a thing in my life. My sis lived in one and it really put me off, no clotheslines allowed, no campers or rv's in the driveway, no basketball hoops in the drive, and on and on. So I am irked!
So does anyone have experience in this area? Just wondering how things might go...
Oh and apparently I am HIGH PRIORITY becuz the mayor is on someones rear..other folks have applied for permits back in January and they havent been "inspected" yet. Gee put me on the back burner, please....
When the first guy came out, he was nice and said I was within my legal rights, but I did have 2 baby turkeys too many (I had someone lined up to take them that weekend anyhow). He asked about if we had a HOA, I told him "No, I wouldnt have chickens if we had one!" Said the only way anyone could do anything is if there was an association.
He told me that the mayor had gotten an email and frankly, he would have thrown the darned email away if he had known I applied for a permit, but it had gotten lost on someone's desk for three weeks. Unfortunately, he was not the one that did "inspections", the next guy did that.
The inspection guy didnt contact me for another month, and what a jerk. On a power trip. A month goes by, then he calls me one evening and wants to come immediately! I set it up for next day, cancelling a couple of appointments I had, then he no shows!
Shows up the next day unannounced. He really gave me the business about the babies not having "shelter". I told him they sleep in the house at night or if it rains I bring them in. He asked what was I gonna do for the night with them, etc. I am thinking "DUH, I TOLD you they sleep in the house" but didnt wanna get nasty. Said " Since I had enuff room, couldnt I throw them all in together with the big chickens?" I told him I have a top, thats not good enuff? "Nope, he tells me it has to have SIDES to it (even tho I DO bring them in at night, or if its chilly or its cold, sheesh).
You all know how to integrate chickens and its NOT by throwing them all in together. The babies are six weeks old and are terrified of Lily and Red both. THey would have a heart attack!
So since I cant "throw them all in together" then I have to get rid of some, he gave me til MOnday. He did NOT check to see if they had water, food, anything like that. No measurements were taken but I gave him the measurements.
Now...to my questions...I never figured out who wrote the mayor, my neighbors real close are pretty decent.
Today, a kid brings by a piece of paper saying SOMEONE is starting a neighborhood association. Already have board of directors, president, etc. I am 100% sure this is in an attempt to "do something" about my chickens in the front yard. I have lived here since 1984, and there has been NO association in all that time. I of course dont want any part of one. Wouldnt even buy a house in a neighborhood that HAD one.
Just wondered if a person is grandfathered in, etc when someone "starts" one up. I have never heard of such a thing in my life. My sis lived in one and it really put me off, no clotheslines allowed, no campers or rv's in the driveway, no basketball hoops in the drive, and on and on. So I am irked!
So does anyone have experience in this area? Just wondering how things might go...
Oh and apparently I am HIGH PRIORITY becuz the mayor is on someones rear..other folks have applied for permits back in January and they havent been "inspected" yet. Gee put me on the back burner, please....
Last edited:
