Wisconsin "Cheeseheads"

[DoodlesDuckies]

I am not in town. Just a subdivision where i have neighbors but are not close to them. Maybe that’s what people call “town” but to me “town” is smaller plots than we have. I am on 1/3 acre and the coop and ducks were well away from the property line. In fact, i have video recordings of the neighbors pool being louder than my ducks. Yes, girls can be chatty but they really only got loud when they saw us (caught a vole or two) and we have been careful to take precautions for negatives.
And for those of us who are sensitive to chicken eggs, and Ned to avoid the problems with roosters, ducks are a reasonable alternative to raise and have. I am just looking for help or advice to help me petition my village to allow ducks as well as chickens.

Like I said, have a plan (rules) and pitch it to the township board.
Talk to the neighbors, ask them their thoughts on the ducks. Why did they turn you in? Noise? Smell? Or just being a-holes? If they don't care and would go with you to the meeting to back you, it can help. You have to go to a meeting and talk to people to find out WHY they don't want ducks in their township.

I understand I am in northern rural WI...but a simple conversation with a board member can get you far. Show them your set up ect...it is going to take some work on your part to get this rule changed. If you are in a "city" it is going to take more work. Having your "ducks in a row" will help.

If your neighbors are against it, for whatever reason, it will be more difficult to get the rules changed. Just being honest....

 

[jvls1942]

first go to all of your neighbors. find out who is for or against the rule. if you are in a fairly new developement, it is going to be harder. especially if there was a rule before you moved in. if so, many of the people moved in knowing that there would not be certain animals allowed. if you want to clinch the rule. just get into a pissing match with a neighbor.

 

[Debbie292d]

first go to all of your neighbors. find out who is for or against the rule. if you are in a fairly new developement, it is going to be harder. especially if there was a rule before you moved in. if so, many of the people moved in knowing that there would not be certain animals allowed. if you want to clinch the rule. just get into a pissing match with a neighbor.

One of my neighbors complained about my ducks, people creeped my back yard and i had to rehome them.

They already know there's one that's against it. But getting around to talk to the neighbors is a good idea, as would be a petition, if some would sign it, with an understanding that ducks would have their own pen, house, and only be let out said hours, like 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. If a dozen or so people would sign this, then take it to one of the board members to present it. They would discuss it at their next meeting, and you should be able to attend and answer questions. They might have the opposite, a petition or a stack of complaints, to ban ducks, so be ready for that.

Is moving when your lease is up possible? If you get shot down, I'd hope that you'd have a Plan B. It's worth trying though!

 

[babylady4]

@LtDanFan good luck. I had 4 call ducks in town, tried to get the ordinance changed and failed. Of course once I moved they changed the ordinance to allow chickens.

So glad I have some pullets in the flock; it is nice to get some eggs right now.

Been doing some hiking around the state enjoying the fall colors.

 

[Debbie292d]

@LtDanFan good luck. I had 4 call ducks in town, tried to get the ordinance changed and failed. Of course once I moved they changed the ordinance to allow chickens.

So glad I have some pullets in the flock; it is nice to get some eggs right now.

Been doing some hiking around the state enjoying the fall colors.

Gorgeous pictures!

You're not the only one who fights to change an ordinance, loses, moves, and after the move, the fight was won. Other people benefited though, and maybe know how.

It's really hard to understand in today's world why these people can't see that we all need to work towards greater self-sufficiency, even if only in a small way, such as providing eggs.

 

[LtDanFan]

I wish i could afford to move, unfortunately that is not in my ability. I am locked into a work contract for the next 2 years and even so, could not find a job making what I currently make in a more rural area. Plus having put 30K into the house for a new kitchen on top of the fire repairs makes the thought of selling depressing at the least. The thought of commuting 60+ minutes each way in addition to my 13 hour shifts leaves me little time to enjoy my lovelies and that’s the balance i am trying to strike.
It would be so much easier if the village would just let us have ducks, they’re not that much different than chickens.

 

[lagrange chicks]

My wife tells me the other day that she saw a post on Facebook all poultry needs to be registered with the state, anyone else hear anything like that?

 

[Debbie292d]

a post on Facebook

There you go!

Registering our "premise" was supposedly mandatory back in 2004. It's for anyone who has livestock, including poultry, that isn't already registered with DATCP. I only heard about it a few years ago, so I registered. It's free. They just email me now and then about threats in our state or my area, but of the latter, none.

https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/Programs_Services/PremisesRegistration.aspx

 

[DoodlesDuckies]

There you go!

Registering our "premise" was supposedly mandatory back in 2004. It's for anyone who has livestock, including poultry, that isn't already registered with DATCP. I only heard about it a few years ago, so I registered. It's free. They just email me now and then about threats in our state or my area, but of the latter, none.

https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/Programs_Services/PremisesRegistration.aspx

This is interesting. I didn't know this was a thing. What is the overall benefit of doing this? Will it change my property to Ag/farm and lower my taxes to next to nothing? Or is it just the govt keeping tabs on things? Not ripping on it, just curious why they would want to keep track of SMALL backyard set ups? I did read the link and it didn't really say WHY other than for outbreak.

 

[Debbie292d]

This is interesting. I didn't know this was a thing. What is the overall benefit of doing this? Will it change my property to Ag/farm and lower my taxes to next to nothing? Or is it just the govt keeping tabs on things? Not ripping on it, just curious why they would want to keep track of SMALL backyard set ups? I did read the link and it didn't really say WHY other than for outbreak.

Like I eluded, it does nothing but get me a few emails, maybe one every other month. If we had an outbreak of something infectious and reported it, I assume we'd be on their map for others to know. They track where the problems are, then alert us so we can take precautions, or in the case of the ones I've been alerted about, they were too far away to cause problems here.