Wow after all the work I did, I just found out that we can not have chickens HELP

[aggiemae]

Towns don't have 'chicken inspectors' so if your neighbors already have chicken you should be OK too. But do let your neighbors know your plans and try to keep your project extra clean and small

Sort off off topic story:

We had two old hens that came to us with two kids we had in foster care. Our neighbor (an attorney and a 1st class butt) reported us but since they did not lay eggs our totally anti chicken code enforcement deemed them pets..

 

[andycowboy]

Well, here's my 2 cents worth: I used to be a Texas cop (still licensed as such). I would highly recommend that you don't ignore the issue, especially if you're in a smaller town. In one of the cities in which I worked, we had a full-time code enforcement officer - he didn't wait for complaints, he drove around all day looking for violations...and our municipal judge did not like city ordinances getting ignored. I'd suggest you look into it and make sure you're being legal - or it could, as suggested in this thread, cost you one heck of a lot more than what you have invested!

And I also agree with the suggestion to start a petition with your neighbors who have no objection, if there's a local ordinance that might need to be reviewed and deleted or changed, that's about the only way to get the ball rolling. Some city ordinances have been around for decades, and are still there because no one has bothered challenging theM!

Good luck! And I hope you're legal - this chicken-raising thing is sure fun!

 

[Mikedero]

problem solved

 

[Aschenfire]

The one thing I notice about the OP is that he keeps talking about all the money that has been sunk into the chickens. Best bet if anyone else is not sure if they are legal or not where you live is NOT to build 1000 dollar chicken mansions. For one thing, they are birds and do not need something that elaborate. For another, if one finds out that you are breaking the law, you won't be so aggressively put out when people suggest you find the birds new homes.

Is the OP going to be as interested in chickens if something unfortunate happens, such as disease (which costs more money), predator related deaths, boredom with the birds being noisy or dirty or smelly? I just get a bad feeling from the flavor of this whole thread.

Good luck though, submitter...you rock on with your rebellion.

 

[Mikedero]

problem solved

 

[andycowboy]

"Again PLEASE let this topic die or delete it. Also not sure if you notice I am a little ticked off on this comment " And I hope you're legal"

Because a cop should know that keeping chickens against code is not breaking a LAW or a CRIME. But nothing more then a zoning violation. Not even as bad as jay walking. Funny how forum boards bring out the high and mighty."

Hey, Mikedero! I am not the high and mighty, didn't intend to come off that way. The comment I made that is ticking you off should be re-read with the entire post, not separated out...although I admit it doesn't sound the way I meant it. I was backing you, and hoping that you found out you're already legal and didn't have to jump though hoops. I also raise chicks and was actually sympathizing with your predicament.

Check with your attorney brother - if it's a City Code, even in the zoning codes, and you can be cited, that's "breaking the law" - regardless of the severity - that's why tickets are issued. But enough of definitions - I still hope you are able to raise your chicks the way you want without having any issues with the neighbors or the City. Sorry you misunderstood my comment...also, this forum, in my opinion, is not the place for any of us to degrade each other. If you don't want input, don't post. I, personally, have learned a lot from these threads, and have even been told I was "wrong", with no offense intended or taken.

My apologies, again, for not being totally clear on the intent of my input.

Have a great day, and God bless!

 

[Mikedero]

I needed advice at first and someone told me to get a certain book, which I have since bought. I followed this books advice as well as a few others in town that I talked to. the issue and solely my fault was not checking before I bought the chicks and built the coop. But that seemed to happen to almost half the people in town that I talked to that have chickens. at last count there are over 30 people that have chickens in town. We know there are more and we are trying to contact them once we get the whole group together we will be spear heading getting the rule changed but there is power in numbers and we are waiting until we have that.

I needed advice on what to do when I found out, I also did not know that my town ONLY goes after people who they have received complaints on. none of my neighbors would complain we all get along and all are happy. So now that I no longer need advice is why I asked for this thread to die as the action plan is in place.

NO worries I was heated at the moment and is now water under the bridge Andy cowboy.