It is sad that we live in a time that neighbors no longer know or care about each other, can't take the time if they have a problem, to knock on a door and talk about it before using public entities to harrass and victimize. The more affluent the area the worse it seems to be. While there are legitimate reasons why people may not care to live near chickens, most can be mitigated with simple measures on the part of the owner. When I was growing up in town I had 4 pet Silkie chickens. I would have been devastated if forced to part with them. My pet rooster won 1st prize one year in the annual pet parade (I wheeled him along the mainstreet route in a doll buggy). In those days, neighbors would regularly meet casually on the street and chat. No one ever complained about my chickens. But back then, most town people were only 1 generation removed from farm life. Now, it is more like 4, I think. Too many people think animals are "icky" unless processed by a factory farm, wrapped in styrofoam and plastic wrap and delivered to the grocery store. Yeah, I'm old and talking about the "good old days" :old But hoping things work out for you, anyway.
 
Believe it or not, chickens can be emotional support or therapy animals. Her children as well as her do actually benefit emotionally from their birds.

I do agree that it’s extremely disappointing the amount of people who have fake service or support animals. But I do believe that in their situation, her family truly does benefit from their birds.


Oh totally! I know my mental health score soared as soon as I got my chickens. And my husband who was initially into it only to pay the bills and make me happy is utterly bonded to them now too. Visits with my grandson have also become the A ticket at his elementary school. ...which once had chickens but let the whole flock go when their rooster turned aggressive.

There is something really grounding about having chickens about and taking a step toward sustainability in an urban environment.
 
My 16 year old son is autism spectrum.

The chickens are considered therapeutic by his doctor.

Yes, there are people who abuse the system. That does not mean anything that isn't a dog or a cat is beyond the realm of therapeutic.

That said, to the OP, don't use this as a loophole. Find out what your town ordinances are and work to change them. You do that by going to town hall meetings or harassing your freeholders into changing the ordinance. I also live in south Jersey; where we are, *everyone* has chickens and usually goats as well (not to mention shotguns in the truck, because turkeys everywhere - they come into the yard and steal scratch when we aren't looking and the dogs aren't out! The chickens get angry and stand there scolding them). A couple townships over where my sister lives, however, there are no chickens allowed. My BIL wants them, but he does not have the time to go harass the Barnegat town hall to change the ordinance.

If you have the time, you have the means. Unfortunately, that time - like that $250 fine - is not something we all have. If you don't have the time to go talk to the freeholders and get them to change the ordinances, you're going to have to find people to take your flock instead. Many of the SJ ordinances are you can have X chickens and no roosters (I believe Tabernacle runs that way) - be sure you know exactly what the laws are before you give up and throw money after unreliable people.
 
Can unot go back to ur mayor and ask him for advise if he said it was ok the first time I cant see why he would say mo the second time?
Or the support animals ur not really taking advantage if it helps use feel more relaxed cause I've dyslexia and social anxiety and when I started dealing with hens my anxiety just went away
 

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