backyard chickens archived
Not allowed in Maplewood. Chicken are farm stock.
You can try it but chicken are noisy and messy so your neighbors might rat you out.
Please also know that you just can't keep the chicken outside in this neighborhood. Between the racoons (yes they will kill young chicken), the foxes and the coyotes your chicken won't get old if you don't have them locked up safely. I had two roosters in my basement (long story) and I can tell you....MESSY AND VERY VERY STINKY!!!
You can try it but chicken are noisy and messy so your neighbors might rat you out.
Please also know that you just can't keep the chicken outside in this neighborhood. Between the racoons (yes they will kill young chicken), the foxes and the coyotes your chicken won't get old if you don't have them locked up safely. I had two roosters in my basement (long story) and I can tell you....MESSY AND VERY VERY STINKY!!!
Actually, a friend of mine keeps them in (of all places) Beverly Hills. She has these rare chickens - some of them lay blue eggs. They aren't noisy (roosters are) and they don't smell if you keep the coop clean and don't have too many.
She has fresh eggs every day for her and her neighbors - it's pretty cool.
She has fresh eggs every day for her and her neighbors - it's pretty cool.
Farm animals were allowed in SO during WWII, when people were encouraged to have Victory Gardens. Who knows? What with the economy in the dumps maybe farm animals will be allowed here again.
Snocone -- You're a breath of fresh air. From an environmental standpoint, you're on the cutting edge. While you and many other health-conscious homeowners in Maplewood might love to maintain backyard chickens, an ordinance may stand in your way. You need to check first with your town's Health Deparatment to see if the town has an ordinance that either limits or bans chickens. As a former South Orange homeowner, I can tell you a little something about trying to keep backyard chickens there.
Back in 1987 the Village of South Orange passed an ordinance that bans keeping backyard chickens. Up until then, it was perfectly legal to raise chickens in South Orange. Why was that ordinance banning backyard chickens passed in 1987? "Health issues" was the excuse given. I suspect the real reason was something else --property taxes. I say this because not every NJ community bans backyard chickens. In fact, homeowners in some rather "chic" (pardon the pun) NJ towns like Basking Ridge and Tewksbury are permitted to have backyard chickens. In fact, homeowners in those towns who have as few as five backyard chickens qualify for farm-rate real estate taxes.
Isn't that interesting? Wouldn't it be nice if South Ornage taxpayers could qualify for low, farm-rate, real estate taxes, too?
There is a chicken-related store near you. It's on Springfield Avenue in New Providence. It might be worth a visit. The store caters to poultry fanciers and chicken enthusiasts of all kinds. In fact, house chickens are becoming the "in" pets for rich, young ladies who live in that area. According to the store's owner, these young ladies step out of their expensive sports cars, complete with pampered chicken under the arm...that's right, not a chihuahua...a chicken... and these girls shop there for all of their "house chicken's" needs.
There are numerous websites about house chickens. Some include information about bird diapers and litter box training for chickens.
There are webistes about keeping backyard chickens, too. I'll look some up and post them here later.
In the meantime, with the way property taxes continue spiralling upward in South Orange and Maplewood, it may be a fight to the finish to reverse a chicken banning ordinance, especially if it involves creating a new "farm tax" loophole for homeowners. Nevertheless, if you can organize a large number of homeowners who feel as you do, you never know. You might succeed. It's worth a try.
NOTE:The first excuse you'll hear from SO "authorities" ( and maybe Mpld authorities) is that the current ban/1987 ordinance must be maintained because chickens create health problems for humans. Nothing could be further from the truth. Instead of creating health problems, chickens can actually prevent health problems and so so organically. How?
1. Chickens eat lots of harmful insects like ticks. Because of this, their owners no longer need to apply carcinogenic pesticides.
2. Chickens help beautify properties by eating weeds and weed seeds. This eliminates the need to apply carcinogenic herbicides.
3.Want to grow fruit, vegetables, and flowers that are the envy of the neighborhood without the use of chemicals? Chicken droppings, properly applied as fertilizer, generate nuclear tomatoes and spectacular flowers...organically.
Chickens -- For some people, they might just be the "perfect pet".
I'll be back later with those websites.
Back in 1987 the Village of South Orange passed an ordinance that bans keeping backyard chickens. Up until then, it was perfectly legal to raise chickens in South Orange. Why was that ordinance banning backyard chickens passed in 1987? "Health issues" was the excuse given. I suspect the real reason was something else --property taxes. I say this because not every NJ community bans backyard chickens. In fact, homeowners in some rather "chic" (pardon the pun) NJ towns like Basking Ridge and Tewksbury are permitted to have backyard chickens. In fact, homeowners in those towns who have as few as five backyard chickens qualify for farm-rate real estate taxes.
Isn't that interesting? Wouldn't it be nice if South Ornage taxpayers could qualify for low, farm-rate, real estate taxes, too?
There is a chicken-related store near you. It's on Springfield Avenue in New Providence. It might be worth a visit. The store caters to poultry fanciers and chicken enthusiasts of all kinds. In fact, house chickens are becoming the "in" pets for rich, young ladies who live in that area. According to the store's owner, these young ladies step out of their expensive sports cars, complete with pampered chicken under the arm...that's right, not a chihuahua...a chicken... and these girls shop there for all of their "house chicken's" needs.
There are numerous websites about house chickens. Some include information about bird diapers and litter box training for chickens.
There are webistes about keeping backyard chickens, too. I'll look some up and post them here later.
In the meantime, with the way property taxes continue spiralling upward in South Orange and Maplewood, it may be a fight to the finish to reverse a chicken banning ordinance, especially if it involves creating a new "farm tax" loophole for homeowners. Nevertheless, if you can organize a large number of homeowners who feel as you do, you never know. You might succeed. It's worth a try.
NOTE:The first excuse you'll hear from SO "authorities" ( and maybe Mpld authorities) is that the current ban/1987 ordinance must be maintained because chickens create health problems for humans. Nothing could be further from the truth. Instead of creating health problems, chickens can actually prevent health problems and so so organically. How?
1. Chickens eat lots of harmful insects like ticks. Because of this, their owners no longer need to apply carcinogenic pesticides.
2. Chickens help beautify properties by eating weeds and weed seeds. This eliminates the need to apply carcinogenic herbicides.
3.Want to grow fruit, vegetables, and flowers that are the envy of the neighborhood without the use of chemicals? Chicken droppings, properly applied as fertilizer, generate nuclear tomatoes and spectacular flowers...organically.
Chickens -- For some people, they might just be the "perfect pet".
I'll be back later with those websites.
Snocone -- If Maplewood (and South Orange) have ordinances banning backyard chickens, there's a chance those ordinances could be overturned by popular demand...??? In the meantime, I hope the information below is helpful.
Maryann
1. www.mypetchicken.com -- This website belongs to the store mentioned in my previous post. It's called "My Pet Chicken". It's located at 1253 Springfield Avenue, New Providence, NJ 07974-2931. Their phone number is 908-795-1007. "My Pet Chicken" supplies chicken coops, chicken tractors, chicken hutches, chicken diapers, and a wide variety of other chicken-related supplies.
2. www.sailzora.com/SoPoChickens.htm -- This website might be helpful in launching a campaign to get chicken bans lifted. It details how a ten-year old girl managed to get a chicken ban lifted in her hometown, South Portland, Maine. The full ordinance is included.
3. www.freewebs.com/professorchicken/ -- Includes "10 Top Reasons for Keeping Chickens".
4. Not a website, but Delaware State University runs a "Small Flock Education Series" . You might want to contact Rutgers University to see if they run a similar series of seminars somewhere in NJ.
5. www.backyardpoultrymag.com/ -- Interesting and informative
6. www.latimes.com/features/home/la-hm-chickens6-2008dec06,0,6975632.story -- Exemplifies the growing popularity of keeping urban chickens
7. www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/12/05/Chickens-as-pets-an-urban_n_148794.html -- "Chickens as Pets, an Urban Farmstead"
8. www.ansi.okstate.edu/poultry/chickens/ -- Breeds of chickens are illustrated and described. Each breed has a certain temperment. Just as you'd research breeds of dogs before adopting one, I suggest you research breeds of chickens before adopting them. This website is a starting place in that search.
9. www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/ -- a source for baby chicks and ducklings
10.www.feathersite.com/Poultry/BRKPoultrypage.html -- Basic poultry information, much of it health-related
11. www.buildchickencoops.com/portable-COOPS.htm -- One of many websites that provides design ideas for DIY'ers interested in housing and protecting their backyard chickens. As Bajou pointed out earlier, predators are a problem. But, proper housing and enclosed runs can safeguard your small flock.
12. www.americansilkiebantamclub.org/harness_leash.htm -- Need a leash to walk your pet chicken?
13. www.birddiaper.com/ -- If "house chickens"/indoor-outdoor chickens are allowed, bird diapers are handy. Some are made specifically for chickens and ducks.
14. www.geocities.com/KelliAnn293/healthproblems.htm -- A quick reference guide regarding chicken health issues
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Maryann
1. www.mypetchicken.com -- This website belongs to the store mentioned in my previous post. It's called "My Pet Chicken". It's located at 1253 Springfield Avenue, New Providence, NJ 07974-2931. Their phone number is 908-795-1007. "My Pet Chicken" supplies chicken coops, chicken tractors, chicken hutches, chicken diapers, and a wide variety of other chicken-related supplies.
2. www.sailzora.com/SoPoChickens.htm -- This website might be helpful in launching a campaign to get chicken bans lifted. It details how a ten-year old girl managed to get a chicken ban lifted in her hometown, South Portland, Maine. The full ordinance is included.
3. www.freewebs.com/professorchicken/ -- Includes "10 Top Reasons for Keeping Chickens".
4. Not a website, but Delaware State University runs a "Small Flock Education Series" . You might want to contact Rutgers University to see if they run a similar series of seminars somewhere in NJ.
5. www.backyardpoultrymag.com/ -- Interesting and informative
6. www.latimes.com/features/home/la-hm-chickens6-2008dec06,0,6975632.story -- Exemplifies the growing popularity of keeping urban chickens
7. www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/12/05/Chickens-as-pets-an-urban_n_148794.html -- "Chickens as Pets, an Urban Farmstead"
8. www.ansi.okstate.edu/poultry/chickens/ -- Breeds of chickens are illustrated and described. Each breed has a certain temperment. Just as you'd research breeds of dogs before adopting one, I suggest you research breeds of chickens before adopting them. This website is a starting place in that search.
9. www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/ -- a source for baby chicks and ducklings
10.www.feathersite.com/Poultry/BRKPoultrypage.html -- Basic poultry information, much of it health-related
11. www.buildchickencoops.com/portable-COOPS.htm -- One of many websites that provides design ideas for DIY'ers interested in housing and protecting their backyard chickens. As Bajou pointed out earlier, predators are a problem. But, proper housing and enclosed runs can safeguard your small flock.
12. www.americansilkiebantamclub.org/harness_leash.htm -- Need a leash to walk your pet chicken?
13. www.birddiaper.com/ -- If "house chickens"/indoor-outdoor chickens are allowed, bird diapers are handy. Some are made specifically for chickens and ducks.
14. www.geocities.com/KelliAnn293/healthproblems.htm -- A quick reference guide regarding chicken health issues
8.
7.
:wall:Correction -- not "Basking Ridge". I meant Bernardsville. Sorry.
i'd love to be able to have chickens, so count me in for any efforts to get the ban lifted. i think if an effort suggested ways to keep it under control (no roosters, maybe some kind of permit/license based on having adequate housing set up, limit to the number of animals, etc.), it could have a chance.
All I can say is that I took in those two chicken found on the railroad tracks by fishy and WOW I couldn't believe how much work, how much mess and how much stink they were once they were inside. This is coming from a person who has three dogs and two cats.
I am not against people having chicken but I am worried that people are going to go out and buy chicks in the spring cause they are nice and cute and then they won't know what to do with them from October through April. Once your chicken has to be housed indoors (during the winter) you also have to be extremely careful about bird mites. Once you property is infested they are a bitch to get rid off.
I am not against people having chicken but I am worried that people are going to go out and buy chicks in the spring cause they are nice and cute and then they won't know what to do with them from October through April. Once your chicken has to be housed indoors (during the winter) you also have to be extremely careful about bird mites. Once you property is infested they are a bitch to get rid off.
Hi Bajou -- "...People are going to...buy chicks in the spring cause they are...cute and then...won't know what to do with them...". This comment was so true in SO/Mpld years ago when pet shops sold chicks and ducklings as Easter pets. Hopefully, chicks and ducklings will never be legally sold in pet shops ever again.
Nevertheless, if current chicken bans were lifted I would hope that potential SO/Mpld backyard chicken owners would buy their birds from reliable sources, and if they aren't already familiar with how to raise chickens educate themselves about: 1. How to raise poultry correctly, 2. The advantages of raising chickens, and 3. How to get the help, guidance and support using reliable sources like "My Pet Chicken", veterinarians, the 4-H Club, the Sussex County Poultry Fanciers' Association, and chicken-related websites.
Delaware State University sponsors backyard poultry seminars every two months. The same program is presented each time in three different locations: North, central and south. If Rutgers University or its' agricultural extension service doesn't offer backyard poultry seminars at regular intervals, maybe a knowlegable, animal rights activist like yourself could encourage them to do so. The Delaware State University program could be a model for it.
I neglected to include the http:// for the websites I listed earlier. I hope the four relisted below open up because they address some of your specific concerns.
http://www.mypetchicken.com
http://www.latimes.com/features/home/la-hm-chickens6-2008dec06,0,6975632.story
http://www.birddiaper.com
http://www.freewebs.com/professor chicken/
re: Bird Mites -- They can be avoided by keeping the birds' living quarters clean and by bathing the birds occasionally using Ivory dish detergent followed, if necessary, by an application of a little Neem Oil on the bird's vent afterwards. Happy chickens are instinctively clean birds. Just like a cat, they'll preen all day given a chance. Nevertheless, you're right to raise this concern about mites. Flock owners need to be proactive about keeping Red Poultry Mites and Northern Fowl Mites out of their coops. They can do this by sprinkling a dried herb with insecticidal properties like artemesia, bay laurel, chrysanthemum or comfry around the cracks, crevices and nesting boxes inside their coop at two week intervals. Commercially produced, poultry-specific pesticides work well, too.
Nevertheless, if current chicken bans were lifted I would hope that potential SO/Mpld backyard chicken owners would buy their birds from reliable sources, and if they aren't already familiar with how to raise chickens educate themselves about: 1. How to raise poultry correctly, 2. The advantages of raising chickens, and 3. How to get the help, guidance and support using reliable sources like "My Pet Chicken", veterinarians, the 4-H Club, the Sussex County Poultry Fanciers' Association, and chicken-related websites.
Delaware State University sponsors backyard poultry seminars every two months. The same program is presented each time in three different locations: North, central and south. If Rutgers University or its' agricultural extension service doesn't offer backyard poultry seminars at regular intervals, maybe a knowlegable, animal rights activist like yourself could encourage them to do so. The Delaware State University program could be a model for it.
I neglected to include the http:// for the websites I listed earlier. I hope the four relisted below open up because they address some of your specific concerns.
http://www.mypetchicken.com
http://www.latimes.com/features/home/la-hm-chickens6-2008dec06,0,6975632.story
http://www.birddiaper.com
http://www.freewebs.com/professor chicken/
re: Bird Mites -- They can be avoided by keeping the birds' living quarters clean and by bathing the birds occasionally using Ivory dish detergent followed, if necessary, by an application of a little Neem Oil on the bird's vent afterwards. Happy chickens are instinctively clean birds. Just like a cat, they'll preen all day given a chance. Nevertheless, you're right to raise this concern about mites. Flock owners need to be proactive about keeping Red Poultry Mites and Northern Fowl Mites out of their coops. They can do this by sprinkling a dried herb with insecticidal properties like artemesia, bay laurel, chrysanthemum or comfry around the cracks, crevices and nesting boxes inside their coop at two week intervals. Commercially produced, poultry-specific pesticides work well, too.
:wall:Oops -- That last one was supposed to be http://www.freewebs.com/professorchicken/
Bajou -- I forget to relist an important one. It includes information about how South Portland, Maine's chicken ban was overturned, a copy of the town's new chicken-related ordinance, and how homeowners there go about getting permits to own chickens.
http://www.sailzora.com/SoPoChickens.htm
http://www.sailzora.com/SoPoChickens.htm
Thanks for all the great information, Maryann!! I have dreamed of having chickens for years, and haven't found any ordinance info in Maplewood. I did find, interestingly, that one can have as many chickens (not roosters) as they like in Manhattan, as long as they are kept clean. Doesn't help me at all, but interesting nonetheless.
One site I found, with great info on all things chickens, & sells an easy "Ikea like" hen house (and chickens) is:
http://www.omlet.us/store/store.php?cat=Eglu
I've been slowly turning my little Maplewood yard into an "urban homestead"- of course composting, veggie gardening- I'd LOVE to add chickens!
One site I found, with great info on all things chickens, & sells an easy "Ikea like" hen house (and chickens) is:
http://www.omlet.us/store/store.php?cat=Eglu
I've been slowly turning my little Maplewood yard into an "urban homestead"- of course composting, veggie gardening- I'd LOVE to add chickens!
Hi Carolina -- The "Omlet" website you posted is wonderful, especially for beginners. Not only does Omlet offer qualilty housing for chickens, but they seem ready to supply the chickens, too 
They offer a nice selection of breeds for sale. The photos and behavioral descriptions of each breed are wonderful. No doubt about it -- Omlet's website is inspiring. Thanks for posting it!
They offer a nice selection of breeds for sale. The photos and behavioral descriptions of each breed are wonderful. No doubt about it -- Omlet's website is inspiring. Thanks for posting it! 
When I lived in Brooklyn, a woman down the street from me on Ocean Parkway kept a duck we all called Mr. Duck. Mr. Duck was the cutest and friendliest thing and I loved to quack at him on my way to the subway. It was heartbreaking when, one day, he was duck-napped and, I'm sure, make into dinner.
Someone please explain to this city boy what the appeal of keeping a chicken is. Thanks.
Posted By: Tom ReingoldSomeone please explain to this city boy what the appeal of keeping a chicken is. Thanks.
"Suburban-fresh eggs"
(Actually, I have no idea why anyone would want to keep chickens in the suburbs. Doesn't seem worth it to me.)
why i want to keep chickens in my backyard, by mommyrock
i want to keep chickens in my backyard. chickens eat insects and weeds. joel salatin, a noted farmer in the sustainable/pasture movement, calls chickens "pasture sanitizers." when properly kept, they are cleaner than other pets. their poop makes great fertilizer. and when raised from baby chicks, they are friendly (dare i say, friendlier than many a cat i've met). and of course, there's the big draw... they lay eggs.
i want to keep chickens in my backyard. chickens eat insects and weeds. joel salatin, a noted farmer in the sustainable/pasture movement, calls chickens "pasture sanitizers." when properly kept, they are cleaner than other pets. their poop makes great fertilizer. and when raised from baby chicks, they are friendly (dare i say, friendlier than many a cat i've met). and of course, there's the big draw... they lay eggs.
A+ on your essay, mommyrock :thumbup:
How often does a chicken lay an egg? I wouldn't think it would be that often....so, you'd have to have a whole coop filled with 'em to make it worthwhile.
How often does a chicken lay an egg? I wouldn't think it would be that often....so, you'd have to have a whole coop filled with 'em to make it worthwhile.
from what i've read, two hens can yield a total of 6 to 12 eggs a week in the warmer months and less in the winter. that would be enough for our family with occassional supplements from the grocery store for special occassions/baking projects.
That's a lot more than I thought. No wonder Mrs. Ingalls was always trying to pay in eggs at the Mercantile in Little House on the Prarie....she was desperate to get rid of all of those eggs!
Sorry for the thread drift. :shamed:
Sorry for the thread drift. :shamed:
As a kid I had to visit my father's sister, who lived on a chicken farm in Howell, NJ. Every time we went, we were taken on a tour through the chicken houses and the egg house. We were given dinner--chicken soup, and, of course, chicken. My aunt wasn't a real careful person, and sometimes there were feathers in the food. On the way home, I always threw up, once on my mother's mouton coat, and another time in front of a firehouse. The firemen came out and told my father I wasn't allowed to throw up there, in case there was a fire and they had to get the engines out.
The chicken farm stank. The reek was awful. Chickens attack and peck anyone who tries to take their eggs. Can't blame them. I really wouldn't want to live next door to someone who keeps chickens.
The chicken farm stank. The reek was awful. Chickens attack and peck anyone who tries to take their eggs. Can't blame them. I really wouldn't want to live next door to someone who keeps chickens.
Posted By: lizziecat The firemen came out and told my father I wasn't allowed to throw up there, in case there was a fire and they had to get the engines out.
I'm sorry, but this has me :rolling: just picturing this guy coming out and telling you that you were not "allowed" to throw up....
My reasons for wanting chickens:
Practical reasons- I want fresh eggs, I want to know where my eggs (and all of my food, ideally) comes from, how they are treated... I also want to use their poop for fertilizer in my gardens. I hear it's the best!
Not-so-practical reasons: I love the sounds they make- little clucky purrs. I've read (although I have no personal experience) that they make very loyal & inquisitive pets when they bond with humans. I've found pics of chickens happily sitting on people's laps, just like a cat. Apparently chickens have more going on in their little brains than is commonly thought. Few ever give them a chance to shine.
Practical reasons- I want fresh eggs, I want to know where my eggs (and all of my food, ideally) comes from, how they are treated... I also want to use their poop for fertilizer in my gardens. I hear it's the best!
Not-so-practical reasons: I love the sounds they make- little clucky purrs. I've read (although I have no personal experience) that they make very loyal & inquisitive pets when they bond with humans. I've found pics of chickens happily sitting on people's laps, just like a cat. Apparently chickens have more going on in their little brains than is commonly thought. Few ever give them a chance to shine.
lizziecat, I can imagine there's a difference between backyard chickens and farm chickens. I don't suppose chicken farms socialize the chickens to humans. Also, the density of chickens is higher on a farm, leading to the stink. Two chickens in a single backyard may not stink.
I'm thinking it would stink. Even with only two.
Although I wouldn't want to live next to chickens given our small yard sizes, I'm sure my cats would LOVE to have chickens next door! :wink:
Although I wouldn't want to live next to chickens given our small yard sizes, I'm sure my cats would LOVE to have chickens next door! :wink:
Yes, sounds crazy but my brother had them about 4 or 5 years ago because he hatched eggs. He had about 3. But later on they became bigger and harder to up keep so we brought them to a farm. R.I.P. Tito
Maplewood does have an ordinance against chickens. I was told, though, that there are some people in town who keep them. As long as the yard is big enough, and your neighbors don't mind, it all seems to be OK to have one or two hens, but not roosters. In my experience, chickens that are well-kept (i.e. with fresh sawdust on the floor often, good food, lots of socialization) are stink-free and very friendly. They also don't have to come inside your house during the winter. My uncle in Maine keeps them out in their coop all winter and they do just fine. Of course they need a non-drafty coop and a heater. I do wonder, though, how you could confine them to your own yard during the warm months when you let them out to eat all the bugs in your garden. Also, if you have small children, stepping in the poop could be a problem.
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snocone