Unfortunately, this is one of those places where people get up on their high horse about property values. So many people see raising your own food as low-class.
Who Makes Chickens Illegal?
- Thread starter applelover
- Start date
Unfortunately, this is one of those places where people get up on their high horse about property values. So many people see raising your own food as low-class.
I did 40 years ago, but my kids in school now and within the past decade didn't.
And mine didn't in any way cover local government.
and I'll give an example of "Zoning" seeming to Legislate. In MI, or maybe is NY, they have a "Right to Farm" Act (actually, they both do, and I was looking into one of them regarding a specific farming practice, don't recall which one. Unimportant for the discussion).
The legislature of that State, in enacting the Right to Farm Law, determined that they wanted to protect commercial scale agricultural and livestock operations from nuisance suits being brought by "well-meaning idiots" (my term), but the State legislature didn't want to get into the weeds regarding acceptable practices for every sort of animal and every sort of condition.
So they drafted the law in a way that says that the commercial farming operation was completely immune from nuisance suits claiming that a widely adopted "common industry practice" was somehow inhumane, a nuisance, whatever. The statute literally says "common industry practice". That simple term allows a brief law to incorporate hundreds of different possibilities for differing industries, and differing livestock. Then the legislature specifically left it up to their Dept of Agriculture to impliment rules and regulations establishing those standards, consistent with industry practice, which were then adopted by incorporation with local Zoning.
and from time to time, that State's Courts ask for the input of the State's Ag Dept on whether "X" is a "common industry practice", and they publish guidance documents from time to time to benefit local zoning. "We have determined that stocking density of chickens raised for egg production must allow 1 sq ft per bird, and a vertical heigh of at least 18 inches" or "horn debudding of goats raised for either milk or meat production is an acceptable practice, consistent with good animal husbandry" etc etc etc.
Those decisions can be challenged, too - but not thru zoning. The exact mechanisms vary by agency and State.
The legislature of that State, in enacting the Right to Farm Law, determined that they wanted to protect commercial scale agricultural and livestock operations from nuisance suits being brought by "well-meaning idiots" (my term), but the State legislature didn't want to get into the weeds regarding acceptable practices for every sort of animal and every sort of condition.
So they drafted the law in a way that says that the commercial farming operation was completely immune from nuisance suits claiming that a widely adopted "common industry practice" was somehow inhumane, a nuisance, whatever. The statute literally says "common industry practice". That simple term allows a brief law to incorporate hundreds of different possibilities for differing industries, and differing livestock. Then the legislature specifically left it up to their Dept of Agriculture to impliment rules and regulations establishing those standards, consistent with industry practice, which were then adopted by incorporation with local Zoning.
and from time to time, that State's Courts ask for the input of the State's Ag Dept on whether "X" is a "common industry practice", and they publish guidance documents from time to time to benefit local zoning. "We have determined that stocking density of chickens raised for egg production must allow 1 sq ft per bird, and a vertical heigh of at least 18 inches" or "horn debudding of goats raised for either milk or meat production is an acceptable practice, consistent with good animal husbandry" etc etc etc.
Those decisions can be challenged, too - but not thru zoning. The exact mechanisms vary by agency and State.
Sadness. Democracy depends upon an engaged, informed electorate. Likely why many have a vested interest in ensuring that voters are distracted, apathetic, and ignorant.
Indeed.
In the main, we are talking state and local governments, so NOT a constitutional republic - but also not a "pure" democracy. If you want to quibble over semantics.
Still, no matter how little the demos are allowed a say, encouraging apathy and non-participation tends to benefit those in positions of power.
Probably not with you.
Thank you. That made my day.Probably not with you.
On a smaller scale, livestock restrictions are often part of HOA agreements or sale/subdivision contracts at purchase based on the HOA, developer or seller's wishes.
Similar threads
New posts New threads Active threads
-
Latest threads
-
Chick that is unable to close one eye all the way, and stands very upright
- Started by skytori5
- Replies: 0
-
-
Show me your Easter Egger eggs!- Started by eddie_van_quailen
- Replies: 0
-
-
Moving newly hatched/still hatching chicks and mama hen??- Started by TheHappyHen678
- Replies: 2
-
-
Threads with more replies in the last 15 days
-
-
-
Ended Official BYC Poultry Caption Contest 05-09-25 Pic by Noraaaaa- Started by TwoCrows
- Replies: 78
-
-
Thanks for allowing me in this wonderful group- Started by Jbug799
- Replies: 49
-
