Virginia

[jmarie]

Is there anyone in Goochland County who could tell me the laws regarding raising chickens? I mean, I know I can raise them, but I'm wondering how many I can own, if I have to have a certain number of hens per rooster, and if I am allowed to have guineas roaming my property to keep the ticks down? I'd like to have a few guineas that are free to roam around my house and in the woods, but I don't know if I am allowed to do that. I tried to find laws pertaining to poultry on the county website, but I had no luck. I also did a google search, and came up empty. Can anyone tell me where I need to look?

Thank you!

Call the animal control for your area and ask them. other wise you need to look under the county or city ordinances which you can usually find on the website. But you will have to dig a bit for it.

 

[Maggiesdad]

Our land is zoned A1. We own (just closed on Dec. 27th and moved in the end of January), and have 8 1/2 mostly wooded acres. We have no HOA's, not in a development, although there are a few more homes on our private road.

Let me get my chicken slide rule out... hmm let's see -

You may have one bajillion chickens!

 

[ki4got]

Our land is zoned A1. We own (just closed on Dec. 27th and moved in the end of January), and have 8 1/2 mostly wooded acres. We have no HOA's, not in a development, although there are a few more homes on our private road.

there's actually a forum that lists as many locations as possible here on byc... you might take a look there. i know i updated a few of our localities myself.

here's a link for the database... https://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/3/Laws

and for the forum in general... https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/37/local-chicken-laws-ordinances-and-how-to-change-them

i might also suggest, if your location isn't listed and you know the rules for sure, go ahead and create a page for it.

googling your town/city/whatever with "zoning ordinance" will usually get you in the general ballpark.

 

[ki4got]

ok, a great reasource for ordinances across the country... http://library.municode.com


this was found regarding goochland county... http://library.municode.com/index.aspx?clientId=12226

and 8-2 to reduce the loss to the county of its agricultural resources by limiting the circumstances under which agricultural operations may be deemed to be a nuisance

so if you're zoned agricultural, run with it. 8)

 

[real_redhead]

I am starting to get chicken fever with everyone setting eggs and starting to talk about the swaps...I really can't have anymore but I really want a frizzle and an olive egg layer....chicken math may be coming into play soon...and I hope e
We don't get any winter weather tonight, I am ready for spring!

 

[ki4got]

ok, well march vacation was officially cancelled due to the rising price of gas, and the fact that we still only have the truck running... so i'll be hatching right along.

currently have 30 eggs +/- in the 'bator. dorkings, dorking cross and ee's. plus some sfh for ME!

i've got another 30+ eggs begging to be set, and some more sfh eggs coming in (i think)...

might have to order some more cochin eggs too. (i can handle up to 126 eggs at a time incubating, and have a separate hatcher to rotate them thru).

edit: ok, chinese fortune cookie say "stop trying and just do it."

huby just rolled his eyes.

 

[Maggiesdad]

I got 30 basque hens in the bator - nany nany boo boo!

 

[MontanaDolphin]

Thanks everyone for the info!

I just spoke to animal control and got the scoop: The only law regarding chickens that's on the books is that they cannot be free-ranging. But further in the conversation, he said they don't necessarily need to be penned in, they just have to stay on your property. Other than that, there are no laws. You can have as many as you want, including roosters, but he recommends only one rooster LOL...and guineas are fine, etc. etc.

 

[cubalaya]

Our land is zoned A1. We own (just closed on Dec. 27th and moved in the end of January), and have 8 1/2 mostly wooded acres. We have no HOA's, not in a development, although there are a few more homes on our private road.

then i would say keep it under a thousand, lol. if you are going to be breeding then i would suggest keeping at least 2 roosters, though.

 

[ki4got]

LOL i'm not jealous... i've got sfh and dorkings in mine! (and more dorking mixes - including EE, orp and blrw mommas)