Help me help my chicks

[Guariboa]

So we decided on January that we wanted chickens. So I went a did some research check town ordinance by calling the town clerk which told us that yes hens are allowed, minimum of 6 not more than 20. Great!!

Few months pass I have 8 chicks about 4 weeks old, was doing more research because I wanted a rooster and everywhere I checked i couldn't get a straight answer if we can have them or not.

So I decided to email the supervisor for building departments for my town ( Woodburry NY )
And come to find out rooster are okay BUT! because my property does not sit on a 2 acres lot I AM NOT ALLOW TO HAVE HENS OR ROOSTER!!!

Now here I am with 8 hens and no idea what to do, how do you guys usually go about removing chicks? Not looking for any monetary incentive, just a good home.

 

[Creede]

So we decided on January that we wanted chickens. So I went a did some research check town ordinance by calling the town clerk which told us that yes hens are allowed, minimum of 6 not more than 20. Great!!

Few months pass I have 8 chicks about 4 weeks old, was doing more research because I wanted a rooster and everywhere I checked i couldn't get a straight answer if we can have them or not.

So I decided to email the supervisor for building departments for my town ( Woodburry NY )
And come to find out rooster are okay BUT! because my property does not sit on a 2 acres lot I AM NOT ALLOW TO HAVE HENS OR ROOSTER!!!

Now here I am with 8 hens and no idea what to do, how do you guys usually go about removing chicks? Not looking for any monetary incentive, just a good home.

There might be a regional Facebook page you could advertise to that is focused on chickens. These types of pages usually attract people with the same care and respect for chicken's vs the general public marketplace.

 

[townchicks]

I'm so sorry you don't get to keep your chicks. In the forum sections here there is one for rehoming. You will have better luck if you put your location and 4 week old pullets in the heading. ( they are not hens yet) and then maybe breed, and other information in the text of the message. You can also put up flyers at the feed stores around you. You can also check with animal control/ humane society, not to surrender them, but folks may be asking if they have chickens, you might be able to put up a notice there too. Craigslist is another option, if you are careful, there are a few questionable people who frequent it, but lots of normal folks too. Just ask questions, and if at all possible, you should deliver the chicks yourself, so you can see where and how they will be kept. Good luck.

 

[CabritaChicks]

I'll get stones for this, but I would fight it- or ignore it. My best friend is a attorney, and we have seen our fair share. Man- you guys have me typing my fingers in overtime on my day off! lol.

Document Everything

• Write down the name, title, and date of the original official who told you chickens were allowed.
• Note exactly what was said, and if possible, get it in writing (email, memo, etc.).

Get Clarification in Writing

• Contact both the original approving entity (city, county, or zoning department) and the new one (regional, HOA, or other agency).
• Politely request written clarification of the regulation or ordinance — not just verbal info.

Ask for a Copy of the Code

• Request the specific ordinance or zoning regulation that says chickens are not allowed.
• Look up or ask for the most recent version — sometimes rules change, but they must be applied fairly and publicly.

Compare Jurisdictions

• It's possible one agency handles zoning, while another covers animal control or public health.
• You may fall into a “gray area” where overlapping rules conflict. You can ask which rule takes legal priority.

Explore Exceptions or Appeals

• Ask if there’s a way to apply for a variance, exception, or permit — especially if your setup is clean, safe, and neighbor-friendly. Explore if they are for 'Education'
• Many attorneys will help you with this.

Don’t Panic or Rush to Rehome

• Until you receive official documentation stating you're in violation, you may be okay.
• Be calm, cooperative, and persistent in seeking a clear, fair answer.

• If it comes down to changing a rule, it helps to have neighbors or community members vouch for you or join in support.
• Responsible chicken keeping (quiet hens, no smells, secure coop) goes a long way.

 

[townchicks]

Fair enough, @CabritaChicks . it's worth trying. I would also strongly recommend having a backup place for the chicks to go to. If you fight it and lose, the powers that be now know you have chickens, and may seize them, which most often ends up with them being euthanized.

 

[Guariboa]

Fair enough, @CabritaChicks . it's worth trying. I would also strongly recommend having a backup place for the chicks to go to. If you fight it and lose, the powers that be now know you have chickens, and may seize them, which most often ends up with them being euthanized.

I'm emailing back and forth with the town as we speak, asking if there is a way around it.

 

[Guariboa]

I'll get stones for this, but I would fight it- or ignore it. My best friend is a attorney, and we have seen our fair share. Man- you guys have me typing my fingers in overtime on my day off! lol.

Document Everything

• Write down the name, title, and date of the original official who told you chickens were allowed.
• Note exactly what was said, and if possible, get it in writing (email, memo, etc.).

Get Clarification in Writing

• Contact both the original approving entity (city, county, or zoning department) and the new one (regional, HOA, or other agency).
• Politely request written clarification of the regulation or ordinance — not just verbal info.

Ask for a Copy of the Code

• Request the specific ordinance or zoning regulation that says chickens are not allowed.
• Look up or ask for the most recent version — sometimes rules change, but they must be applied fairly and publicly.

Compare Jurisdictions

• It's possible one agency handles zoning, while another covers animal control or public health.
• You may fall into a “gray area” where overlapping rules conflict. You can ask which rule takes legal priority.

Explore Exceptions or Appeals

• Ask if there’s a way to apply for a variance, exception, or permit — especially if your setup is clean, safe, and neighbor-friendly. Explore if they are for 'Education'
• Many attorneys will help you with this.

Don’t Panic or Rush to Rehome

• Until you receive official documentation stating you're in violation, you may be okay.
• Be calm, cooperative, and persistent in seeking a clear, fair answer.
• If it comes down to changing a rule, it helps to have neighbors or community members vouch for you or join in support.
• Responsible chicken keeping (quiet hens, no smells, secure coop) goes a long way.

Thank you

I'm keeping a trail of the conversation by only speaking through email instead of a phone call again

 

[CabritaChicks]

I'm emailing back and forth with the town as we speak, asking if there is a way around it.

Yes, they have a huge thing against 'chickens at large' (meaning running around free). A very large run is ideal.

Are they going to do a home visit? haha (government in NY during a home visit- okay). as @townchicks chicks mentioned, backup plan is fantastic.

Right now- your chicks (which are 4 weeks and still in the brooder), they are 'pets' in your basement or garage?... then you at least have a few weeks before they go out to the coop. You may need to apply for a license (which they may say you can only keep 4), but permits and licenses are much easier than it sounds.

 

[Guariboa]

Yes, they have a huge thing against 'chickens at large' (meaning running around free). A very large run is ideal.

Are they going to do a home visit? haha (government in NY during a home visit- okay). as @townchicks chicks mentioned, backup plan is fantastic.

Right now- your chicks (which are 4 weeks and still in the brooder), they are 'pets' in your basement or garage?... then you at least have a few weeks before they go out to the coop. You may need to apply for a license (which they may say you can only keep 4), but permits and licenses are much easier than it sounds.

Yes they are currently inside in a oversize brooder that I built ... I was actually getting ready to purchase the material to build a coop with a 8x12 run

 

[Guariboa]

I'll get stones for this, but I would fight it- or ignore it. My best friend is a attorney, and we have seen our fair share. Man- you guys have me typing my fingers in overtime on my day off! lol.

Document Everything

• Write down the name, title, and date of the original official who told you chickens were allowed.
• Note exactly what was said, and if possible, get it in writing (email, memo, etc.).

Get Clarification in Writing

• Contact both the original approving entity (city, county, or zoning department) and the new one (regional, HOA, or other agency).
• Politely request written clarification of the regulation or ordinance — not just verbal info.

Ask for a Copy of the Code

• Request the specific ordinance or zoning regulation that says chickens are not allowed.
• Look up or ask for the most recent version — sometimes rules change, but they must be applied fairly and publicly.

Compare Jurisdictions

• It's possible one agency handles zoning, while another covers animal control or public health.
• You may fall into a “gray area” where overlapping rules conflict. You can ask which rule takes legal priority.

Explore Exceptions or Appeals

• Ask if there’s a way to apply for a variance, exception, or permit — especially if your setup is clean, safe, and neighbor-friendly. Explore if they are for 'Education'
• Many attorneys will help you with this.

Don’t Panic or Rush to Rehome

• Until you receive official documentation stating you're in violation, you may be okay.
• Be calm, cooperative, and persistent in seeking a clear, fair answer.
• If it comes down to changing a rule, it helps to have neighbors or community members vouch for you or join in support.
• Responsible chicken keeping (quiet hens, no smells, secure coop) goes a long way.

So apparently I can apply for zoning variance since our property is less than 2 acres. Going to follow through and see what happens. Application is a little confusing though