New Mexico

[viejo loco]

Jossanne, Thanks for the complients on my old biddies. No spring chickens there, but I love them.

Bellalulafarm, NPIP certification is being required in more and more shows every day. If you plan to show your birds, it is a good idea. If you plan to sell your birds, it is an even better idea. This is used extensively in the east and midwest.

 

[BellaLulaFarm]

Well, let me know if there is a class in Southern NM, and I'll be happy to do the certification!

 

[dak]

Quote:
I'm sure it would be at NMSU, but there would need to be enough people requesting it.

 

[abqferreira]

We had a surprise visit from an ABQ Animal Control officer this morning. He had a complaint from an anonymous neighbor that we have "too many chickens", and that there were concerns about flies and odor. I had read online that you could own an unlimited number of chickens but only 1 roo. We happen to have 10 hens, which I gladly showed him. He said there was no odor, they were obviously well cared for, etc. We live on a corner lot with no privacy in the backyard, and I assume neighbors just think there must be a problem with chickens in our subdivision. I wonder whether our compost pile, which is near the sidewalk, is causing odor problems rather than the chickens. We'll move the compost further away from the street side of the property.

FYI, wanted to pass along to anyone who lives in ABQ, that the officer told me the ordinance allows 12 chickens with only 1 of them being a roo. I didn't ask him about the backyard pygmy goat ordinance I had been wondering about...

 

[jenn-E]

Actually 15 chickens (with no more than 1 of them a rooster) are allowed in the city limits. The ABQ Urban Chickens site has links to the legal code:
http://urbanchickens.org/abq-urban-chickens

Of course, you still may be subject to noise or odor complaints. Or covenants if your neighborhood has them.

 

[abqferreira]

I know, I was surprised by his response as well. I figure he would know the current law better than anyone, though. I haven't seen anything online about the limit being 12. Maybe I should call 311 for a second official opinion and see what they say?

 

[burquechick]

Here's the story on goats in an R-1 residential zone. The following is listed as a permissive use:

"Agricultural animal keeping, for noncommercial purposes, as follows: rabbits and similar animals, poultry, pigeons. Cows, horses, goats or sheep, provided the number of animals does not exceed one cow or horse for each 10,000 square feet of open lot area, or one sheep or goat for each 4,000 square feet of open lot area, or equivalent combination, provided the lot has an area of at least 21,780 square feet. Animals shall be so controlled that they cannot graze on any other premises. Animals under four months old are not counted."

So you need a minimum of half an acre for any goats and 4000 square feet for each goat within the half acre.

 

[burquechick]

I was wondering if they might have recently modified it from 15 to 12 chickens, but no, the current law is very clear, "(3) Poultry. The Poultry limit is 15. No Person shall have more than one rooster in a Household." That's current and you can check it with the ABQ city website. The officer that told you 12 is wrong. Period.

 

[jenn-E]

I also double-checked the city ordinance using the link on the website I provided. It clearly states 15 chickens (poultry) are allowed. Good to know, since I have 14.

 

[BellaLulaFarm]

Quote:
Do you know if that's R-1 in New Mexico in general, or just Abq? I was under the impression Silver City only allowed 4 chickens and didn't allow any livestock, but I can't find anything in the town ordinances addressing it.