The State of MA showed up today to inspect our chickens

[Reinbeau]

It is a neat little town. I'm four miles from the Hanover Mall, but Route 53 is far enough away I can pretend it doesn't exist

Ah, you've been in the Taj Mahal. My kids had already graduated, so they never had the benefit, they were in the school with the portables, falling ceilings, etc. It really was a wreck. The best thing about that school is the contained cost of it, I forget what it was, but the project manager (who was a young woman, I remember) brought it in on time and under budget, quite an accomplishment. I've heard about that mess in Newton, $200 mil and climbing, isn't it? I'm sure this economic mess will put a stop to that boondoggle!

 

[smith2]

I just wanted to tell all you all in MA to hang in there with your chickens. While I live in a pot-poor state and in the country at that, I have never had to worry about permits or red-tape over my chickens, but I can imagine what a nightmare that kind of stuff could be for some of you. My biggest headache is the stray dogs that roam the countryside looking for their next meal and trying to find it in my chicken run.

 

[ChickenTender63]

Well, if y'all think that permitting process is bad, you should see the hoops that I have to jump through down here in NC!

I thought that when we moved to our 12 acre hobby farm, I would have it made in the shade. I would be able to get all of the animals that I wanted, and not have to worry about permits, permission, surprise inspections etc.

Boy, was I ever wrong!

I have quickly realized, that no matter where you live, you may be subjected to this type of process. And if you go outside of the rules and guidelines, the penalties can sometimes be harsher than going to prison for murder or tax evasion.

I thought that because we had 12 acres, that instead of the 25 chickens that I had been given permission and permits for, nobody would notice 200. I would really like to get a couple of goats because there are several areas on the property that have grown up over the last 5-10 years around a couple of the barns with brush and stuff, and I am worried about the poisinous snakes being around the buildings, but I am not sure that it will be worth the permitting process and surely the penalty if I get caught without the permit.

I thought quietly to myself while we were buying the land, that I would be able to get 2 calfs (named ribeye & T-bone) to feed out and provide beef, and then there was the thought that nobody would ever notice a couple of pigs (named Ham & Bacon) on the 12 acres if I kept them on the back part of the property, surely nobody would know that I have them, it is not visible from the road.

You would think that living in the country of North Carolina, that you wouldn't have to jump through all of the rules and regulations that one would have say in Boston, or any other metropolitan areas, but alas, we do.

Although, you folks in the Boston area seem to have it a little easier in some regards. As I am reading these posts, I see that you have annual inspections. I would be thrilled if we could only have monthly inspections down here.

Hopefully as time goes on, I can convince the inspector to ease up on me some. Once the freezers are stocked with pork, beef, and chicken, and the eggs are so plentifull and delicious, and that we can have a nice thick fillet or ribeye anyday of the week without taking a second mortgage out on the farm to have a nice dinner.

You see, my permitting and inspection department is run by the town of Wife. She is doing better, but I still have a ways to go. She likes to pull daily inspections when she comes home from work to see how many new critters I have adopted that day. The penalties have included the cold shoulder and such thought often come with a spouse that does not agree with the other spouses choices at times, but seems to disapate with a nice warm meal that fills her tummy. (I am also a good cook)

So, even though the stakes are high, I think it is often rewarding to go against said rules at times to provide food for your family. I think there is too much Amish in my blood not to continue.

I wish you all the best of luck in your endevors!

 

[the simple life]

Thats funny!! Now I wonder why you couldn't hide all those animals from her. I mean its just a couple a hundred chickens and some cows and a pig or two.

 

[ChickenTender63]

I'm trying, but I need to get a couple of more freezers first to hide them in in the basement.

She never goes in the basement and they should all be safe down there!

 

[SpottedCrow]

We're all pretty close, me, Simple, Reinbeau, Sewing, probably the farthest is a half an hour away...
I had my chicken inspection a couple of weeks ago, the same day as Natalie.

I guess since I went about the chicken business bassackwards, I got a break...sort of...never had to have a building inspection, just stuck up the rabbit hutch, which wasn't being used during my first inspection...had Slifer watching TV in the dining room and Obelisk on the back of a chair.

ChickenTender, it really amazes me that folks that have a ton of acreage, and aren't in Midtown Manhattan, have to jump through so many darned hoops either...

Natalie, my grandmother used to have a goat over on Commercial Street when she was growing up.

 

[the simple life]

Brenda, chicken tender is talking about his wife. Reread his post, its pretty funny but ya gotta pay attention.

When I first started reading his post I was thinking wow these people must really live in a restricted area, then when I got further into the post I realized he was talking about his wife.

ChickenTender,
Yeah, and ya know what, as soon as you buy those freezers she will suddenly go to the basement for something.
Like oh I think I will make a room down there or I think I will put a root cellar in.

 

[SewingDiva]

Quote:
Nothing in Massachestts is very far away from anything else....as the crow flies anyway. In terms of traffic - well that's another story all together!

~Phyllis

 

[SpottedCrow]

D'oh! That's what I get for speed reading.
I think you probably have the worst rules of all of us, ChickenTender.
I hearya, Phyllis.

 

[erinm]

it isn't new in my area If you have a stable permit through the board of health The barn inspecter comes down to make sure conditions are livable. ErinM