I already called the zoning info for where I live. They are the ones who told me that I need a whole acre when I only have a half. Of course I did not leave my name! I do not live in the city, but the "county". It's best described as suburban, but very close to commercial areas. I am not planning to get any roosters, either.
I think if my immediate neighbors were out in the yard more, I wouldn't chance it. One of my neighbors actually lives several blocks away and only uses the house for his professional office. He is kind of elderly and virtually never comes out in the yard. The secretary is there more often but she is always inside. Since she doesn't even live around here she is probably most likely to be "bought off" with eggs.
The neighbors on the other side are also semi-retired and they travel constantly. They have half of their yard fenced off with a hugh stand of bamboo between me and their outdoor living space. They only come out to mow the grass.
The one I worry about is the one directly behind me--they just put up a new fence, but it is low and not opaque. I will have to plant shrubs to block the view. I see this is a long term project--I have to research how to raise them(the chickens) and also prepare the yard so that I have the most privacy.
I guess the problem is that this is an upscale (old) suburb--ethnically NOT at all into backyard homesteading. When we moved here 3 years ago, we did not sign any covenants with our deed but the president of the homeowners association is always going on about them. His pet peeve is fences--if only he knew what I have in mind!
I am going outside right now to plant 5 shrubs back there.
Thanks for all the input--will keep you posted
KV