Backyard coops are on the rise due to economic difficulties. However, people interested in having chickens should check the local ordinances first Submitted photo

Even though rumors that a dozen eggs would cost $12 by the fall of 2022 were false, many people have turned to raising chickens for eggs and meat, which in turn has caused many municipalities to examine codes and zoning laws regarding poultry.

Recently, the village of Panama voted to put a moratorium on enforcing the code that prohibits chickens within village limits. The minutes from the meeting read: “Many residents are looking for how they can provide for themselves during this period. A motion was made to put a temporary moratorium on enforcing the code regarding livestock, to allow room for poultry due the current economic hardships.”

Certainly there has been increasing demand for live chickens to be used for eggs or meat. One Chautauqua County resident who incubates and hatches chicks noted that he has gotten a lot more requests this year.

“Every time I advertised chicks, I got numerous phone calls and the chicks sold quickly,” he said. “I was surprised at the number of chicks some people wanted to buy — I only have a small incubator and I can’t take orders for large numbers of chicks.”

Nonetheless, it is advisable to check local ordinances before purchasing chickens. One woman who lives in a residential zoned area of a nearby municipality decided to start raising chickens for food. She found out that, while she was permitted to have up to six chickens, but only hens.

“So, I couldn’t go to Tractor Supply and buy straight run chickens. I had to buy pullets,” she said. “I thought I could get dual purpose birds, like Orpingtons and use the roosters for meat, but they are strictly prohibited.”

Ordinances regarding chicken and other livestock vary from municipality to municipality. For instance, Clymer may not see the need to make changes regarding poultry. As a town, the zoning law allows for the raising of farm poultry and farm animals.

However, the village of Sherman does make allowances for poultry and other farm animals. Greg Gormley, code enforcement officer for the village, explains that “the Local Law does not specifically talk about chickens in the village of Sherman, it covers fur bearing animals, or traditional farm animals. With that said we treat chickens the same as a horse, cattle, or sheep.”

However, livestock has a special place in the life of the village. As the local law declares: “historically the Village of Sherman has had a continuous history of farm and farm business related activities which have been central to the community’s prosperity and which are anticipated to continue to be a central part of the economic base of the community.”

Therefore, the local law goes on to state:

Farm animals may be maintained without permit within Village Zoning Districts under the following conditions:

¯ Fences — Farm animals shall be fenced so as to be contained on the home resident’s lot or lot’s within Village and so as to prevent them from wandering on to adjacent properties.

¯ Run Off — Provisions must be made to ensure that pastures and in particular manure storage areas do not runoff onto adjacent parcels. Particular concern must be shown for protecting water wells and streams.

¯ A manure pile shall not be maintained in such a fashion as to cause any nuisance to any adjoining neighboring properties.

On the other hand, the town of Mina makes no allowances for poultry in certain zoned areas. The Local Law specifically prohibits keeping birds or poultry in districts R1, R2 and the areas zoned for business.

The law goes on to state that “no yards, coops, lofts, etc., shall be erected or maintained. This provision shall not include small cage birds such as canaries or parakeets maintained as pets within a residential structure.”

Upon reviewing the law, Mina Town Supervisor Rebecca Brumagin said she feels the wording is fairly absolute.

“Because they are not allowed in those zoning districts, no person or official body (Zoning Code Enforcement Officer, Zoning Board of Appeals, or Town Board) has the authority to allow for any exceptions to the zoning law in those zoning districts,” she said.

Like Sherman, Ripley allows farm animals, including poultry in residential districts as long as they are not raised for commercial purposes and they are properly fenced so that they cannot come within 150 feet of an adjacent property. Also, animals such as roosters which create a nuisance due to odor or noise are prohibited in residentially-zoned areas.

All in all, people in residential areas who want to raise chickens for any purpose should check with their municipality before moving ahead. Otherwise one figuratively end up getting egg on their face.