Owning chickens illegally

[MadelineLovesHerTinyBirds]

Many years ago when we first got into chickens, I hatched 3 Silkies and we built them a beautiful aviary in the backyard. The county/city had no rules against chickens and my mom owned the house on an acre lot.
Well, it turned out the area had a long defunct HOA which we had never heard of. No meetings were held or maintenance performed, no fees collected or papers signed. Turns out that doesn't kill a HOA's authority.
Our next-door neighbors resurrected the HOA and started sending us letters, which we ignored because we'd never signed anything. Then they called code enforcement, who couldn't find anything wrong with the Aviary or setback, but required it be inspected by an engineer. The engineer wanted us to add hurricane ties, so we did.
The HOA didn't let up and got code enforcement to send threatening letters about fining us every day we kept the birds.
That's when my mom talked to a lawyer, and we found out a little secret. They could keep us from having certain animals in the yard, but within the walls of a home the laws are different. Our attached garage counted as our home (a detached garage does not) as long as it was part of the approved building plans on file with the county.
I think it had to do with jurisdiction. It then fell to Animal Control as the only government agency that could prevent us having the chooks, and by their rules the animals must either be abused / neglected, or a prohibited exotic animal under federal or state laws.
They were powerless to stop us keeping the chickens or to enforce any fines since we moved them to the garage before the warning period expired.
My mom even made it onto the local news, advocating for backyard hens, with footage of our aviary and silkies set up in the garage! Lol
But containing them to a garage is a sucky way to keep chickens. We wanted them to have sunshine and grass and bugs. So we found them a nice country home at a leisurely pace.
Having soured on that neighborhood, and indeed the whole county, we sold the house and moved away to a more rural area.

Moral of the story: You can keep your birds "within the walls of your house" in a pinch to prevent them being seized or being fined. (provided the law hasn't changed, do check). But it's only a temporary measure. Keeping birds indoors, especially in your actual living space, is not recommended.

Orange City Florida, abutting DeLand and a little north of Orlando has written into their "chicken" laws that chickens may not be kept in your house. Which is ridiculous when people can own African Grey parrots and Maccaws and there exists breeds of chickens like Seŕamas only kept as pets - not meat or eggs that are the size of Doves. Google them. The difference between ST Bernard's and Great Danes and a Chihuahua.
Like 5 Irish Wolf dogs may be a lot but don't compare to Teacup poodles...
It should be about hygiene, noise from say 10pm to 7 am*, and health of the animals. *Roosters could be brought inside during quite hours. And noise shouldn't be about be about can they simply be heard - I mean a Canary can be heard from outside sometimes - but whether it is truly loud. Akin to what we'd call a nuisance dog.

 

[ChickenFriends234]

The penalties can range depending on situation or state, city. For example in California where I live there is no laws regarding keeping/raising chickens in backyards + etc. But if its illegal then they could fine you or make you take the chicken away. Thanks

 

[Huntmaster]

Orange City Florida, abutting DeLand and a little north of Orlando has written into their "chicken" laws that chickens may not be kept in your house. Which is ridiculous when people can own African Grey parrots and Maccaws and there exists breeds of chickens like Seŕamas only kept as pets - not meat or eggs that are the size of Doves. Google them. The difference between ST Bernard's and Great Danes and a Chihuahua.
Like 5 Irish Wolf dogs may be a lot but don't compare to Teacup poodles...
It should be about hygiene, noise from say 10pm to 7 am*, and health of the animals. *Roosters could be brought inside during quite hours. And noise shouldn't be about be about can they simply be heard - I mean a Canary can be heard from outside sometimes - but whether it is truly loud. Akin to what we'd call a nuisance dog.

Chickens are considered livestock and fall under different laws/rules than pets which is what everything else you mentioned is considered and fall under those laws/rules. Not that I disagree with your point but that's how its looked at.

 

[member 544621]

Here's a thought. Don't have chickens if it is against the law in your area?

AND/OR....Work/meet with others who would like to own chickens and form a group that can be proactive... Go to city council meetings, etc...and try to change the ordinance. Be organized and have evidence in hand to show that keeping 2-3 hens is no noisier than having dogs that bark every once in a while.

Or break the law and take your chances.

 

[GlicksChicks]

@MadelineLovesHerTinyBirds @ChickenFriends234 @Huntmaster @friednotscrambled

This thread was from 2 years ago and the OP was last seen 2 years ago. It is highly unlikely that you will hear from them and I would assume this is resolved.

 

[member 544621]

@MadelineLovesHerTinyBirds @ChickenFriends234 @Huntmaster @friednotscrambled

This thread was from 2 years ago and the OP was last seen 2 years ago. It is highly unlikely that you will hear from them and I would assume this is resolved.

That may be true. But others might consider doing the same, if they are in an location that doesn't allow chickens?

 

[GlicksChicks]

That may be true. But others might consider doing the same, if they are in an location that doesn't allow chickens?

I just wanted to make sure you know that you won't get a response from OP! I understand.

 

[Huntmaster]

@GlicksChicks I believe @MadelineLovesHerTinyBirds was responding to @SourRoses post and she is still active on BYC last seen today at 4:34 am

 

[GlicksChicks]

@GlicksChicks I believe @MadelineLovesHerTinyBirds was responding to @SourRoses post and she is still active on BYC last seen today at 4:34 am

I just wanted them to know not to expect much activity on this thread from people that were talking before. And they are still responding to a comment from 2 years ago. Unlikely to get a response from that person about a comment that long ago.

 

[ShrekDawg]

I just wanted them to know not to expect much activity on this thread from people that were talking before. And they are still responding to a comment from 2 years ago. Unlikely to get a response from that person about a comment that long ago.

I mean I’ve posted stuff 2, 5, 10 years ago and I’m still extremely active on the site and would respond lol idk if the OP is though. I see your point. But 2 years isn’t THAT old. People sometimes leave and come back from that. 10-12+ years would be really old and a lot less likely.