number of chickens and legal limits.

[bananakey]

When filling out the numbers of my flock, another chicken enthusiast went in with me on a hatchery order. As will happen they threw in extra chicks, which ended up putting me one over the legal limit in my area? Someone told me not to worry about it because "there are no chicken police going around counting chickens." Despite that amusing advice I AM worried even though my backyard is relatively private so they are not terribly exposed.
Anyone have experience with this? How strickly are numbers enforced? One of my chickens is a bantam so I like to say I'm really only 1/2 chicken over. Lol.
Should I get rid of my extra girl? We really like all of them and choosing who goes would be terribly hard.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Each legal jurisdiction have different rules and have different people enforcing those rules. There is absolutely no way any of us can predict what will happen to you if you decide to go over the limit in your jurisdiction, wherever that is.

Usually when they throw in extra chicks they put in extra males, not females. Those are called packing peanuts and are there so the chicks have enough to keep each other warm during shipping. They use males because they have a lot left over and those will be killed since they are excess. Using them as packing peanuts at least gives them a chance to survive.

Occasionally they will throw in extra of exactly what you ordered. I’ve had this happen. If they have extras they might toss in an extra so in case one dies they customer still got what they wanted.

The odds are that the extra will not be an extra girl but instead will be a male. I would not do anything drastic until I was sure of the sex of all of them.

 

[bananakey]

they are about three months old. One was a rooster whom we rehomed. I'm left with one extra pullet

 

[RonP]

Curious as to where you are located, and what is your legal limit?

 

[calichicken]

they are about three months old. One was a rooster whom we rehomed. I'm left with one extra pullet

If you are over by one..I really wouldn't worry too much. The only time you may have a problem is if you have a upset neighbor and that's when it usually gets "looked into" OR if you are WAY over the limit...which you would be by only one. How many do you currently have?

 

[bananakey]

The limit here is 5, I have 6.

 

[CrazyChickGirl]

I have 9 hens and 1 rooster. Technically I'm not supposed to have any... Lol. Keep your neighbors happy and no one will care. We give our neighbors eggs.

 

[Mrs. K]

As I try and count mine several times a day...... and I KNOW how many are suppose to be there. Most people do not have a lot of experience counting moving animals..... so I am with your friend.

However, for peace of mind, find out what the fine is for having too many chickens so you know what will happen if you do get caught. When I fret about something, I find it helps to figure out just what the worse case scenario is, make a plan for that, and quit worrying.

Also, give the neighbors fresh eggs...... always a good idea.

Mrs K