New Jersey

[ben is a terror]

Thanks Tom for taking my 2 runners. Still have 3 colored scovies 1 choco. and white drake. A colored bonded pair No charge for BYC. members.
Send a PM

 

[RedBankPiper]

First egg yesterday! About right on schedule, as the chicken is about 6 months old.

 

[mame1616]

Quote:
Woot! Those are the best, aren't they?

 

[cbohn80]

the suspense kills you right? i'm still waiting for 5 ducks to start laying. i cant keep up with my orders for eggs from my co-workers

 

[augustusthunder727]

just bought a small south jersey farm. We have 3 children, 6 dogs, 5 cats, 1 rabbit, 3 goats, 1 horse and 10 nine week old chickens. always looking to expand my coop and not too crazy about receiving birds in mail. I'm glad there is a NJ thread. give us a heads up if you need to re-home any of your birds. won't say yes to all but definetly interested. thanks

 

[mame1616]

Quote:
Good for you August! Where were you a couple months ago when I was trying to get rid of my bantam cornish? Six dogs?! Where in South Jersey did you buy? I'd love to stay here when I finish my degree in a couple of years, but I don't think I can afford it. Welcome to the thread and BYC!!

 

[GardenState38]

I'm heartbroken

and in shock.
Came home from work to find a Notice of Violation in our mailbox, saying I need to remove my 5 chickens in 10 days.
I thought I might be outside the toiwn ordinance which, as far as I could see, only specified a certain number of feet between a livestock shelter and a dwelling (since my coop is a tractor, I thought that would not apply--since it isn't a permanent structure. I really never thought the neighbors would have the stones to complain, since we've put up with their many violations through the years...Plus, our yard is surrounded by a 6 foot stockade fence (Best money we ever spent).
I keep my coop tidy and it's small and cute...and the girls are very quiet--certainly quieter than all of the dogs who bark incessantly!

I know it's our one busy-body neighbor who has acted as though we are renting our property from her, since the day we moved in.
I'm in Hamilton Twp. Anyone know if I have any recourse at all? Should I try to argue this? Enlighten them? What should I know before I call them tomorrow? Can I get an extension of the abatement? Ask for a variance? Explain that they're beloved pets? It's not like I'm setting up a farm stand selling eggs...
The actual ordinance cited is vague and has no mention of chickens at all...it basically is a list of what is permitted in a residentially zoned area. I have a lawyer I could consult, but I don't know how familiar he is with the township zoning. Anyone know of any "chicken activist" lawyers who can help with this?

My husband has found some people through a coworker, who are willing to take my girls into their flock of 10. I really don't think I can part with my little banty, though, so I'm considering keeping her as a house chicken. Is it wise for me to keep her (and another, since they don't like being alone) in this way?
The worse part of this is that one of my girls just began laying last week.

I know, I know--I shouldn't have gone through with this without getting all neighbors' consent.
I pray that the economy improves and we can move out of this horrible Stepford neighbrhood...

 

[mame1616]

Quote:
That is just terrible! I really hate people sometimes.

And by the way, you DO NOT need your neighbor's consent to do anything. Ok, maybe you should have checked into the regulations through the township, but...

There are several threads here that deal with just what you're going through. I'll try to find some. Do you know exactly what your zoning law says? You need to be educated about this. Call the zoning board and find out how to make amendments to the zoning laws, or see if a variance is possible - maybe you could get some sort of permit. Ask for everything you can before you move your birds. If the ordinance does not mention chickens, then how can you be in violation? If it's their dwelling, build them a house in the garage with a run in the backyard. Fin out everything you can - make an appointment to see the officer, don't do it over the phone.

Only five birds?! I had six on my 50x100 lot.

Want me to come egg your neighbor's house? Good luck, and keep us posted.

 

[GardenState38]

Thanks so much for your words of support.
I'd appreciate any help anyone can give. It's difficult to find applicable info. in the "Local Ordinances, etc." Board--too much to wade through.
While the notice cited a violation of Land Development Code 160-74 Condition "Chickens not permitted in a residential zone", investigation of that actual code doesn't mention chickens at all, although there is something to this effect: "Keeping of not more than two domestic animals over six months old for individual domestic purposes or for cultivation of the soil, except that this limitation shall not apply to an operating farm"

http://library.municode.com/index.aspx?clientID=12710&stateID=30&statename=New Jersey

Good suggestion to meet with them in person, rather than try to accomplish anything over the phone.

Believe me, I'd love to have this neighbor egged--she once talked us into letting her son's friend, a tree surgeon, supposedly, "trim" a huge pine tree (Rockefeller Center size) that is in our yard, so that the needles didn't fall onto her driveway. We figured a few lower branches, sure...Well, we got home from work and saw he had come without notifying us as to the day/time, and sheared the entire side of the tree off! Top to bottom!!--the side facing her yard. She'd rather look at a bald tree then have the inconvenience of a few pine needles on her driveway. Obviously the tree had been there for YEARS...long before we moved in. She finally had the suckers who would let her have her way. I was livid!
But did I complain? No.

UGH--I feel sick. I dread waking up tomorrow and having that first thought, "I may have to lose my babies"

 

[mame1616]

Quote:
Well, I looked at the ordinance (your link won't go there direct, but you quoted it anyway). So, does that mean no one is allowed to have more than two of any animal? Because, not for nothing, they are all domesticated. How many animals does this woman have? (Please tell me she has three or more cats!) Because that's what I'm reading here - no more than two domestic animals of any kind. Now, I'm sure the powers that be felt that "domestic" purposes would be say, chickens for eggs, or goats for milk, etc., but that's not what it says. And, that term is not interpreted in their definitions section. You could call them on that - explain that, while the "intention" of the ordinance may be directed at animals that provide food, the actual wording does not say that.

Any lawyers want to pipe in here?

I can't believe that woman did that to your tree! We should hold the next Chickenstock on your front lawn - we'll invite the whole eastern seaboard.

Don't let them take your birds without a fight - make them show you where it says no chickens or livestock, and don't just accept their opinion on it.