As promised, we have been making inquiries about whether it is legal to keep chickens in the District of Columbia. It seems we are not the only ones interested. Through our network of contacts, this portion of the D.C. Code surfaced:Except as provided in this subsection, no person shall import into
the District, possess, display, offer for sale, trade, barter, exchange, or
adoption, or give as a household pet any living member of the animal kingdom including those born or raised in captivity, except the following:
domestic dogs (excluding hybrids with wolves, coyotes, or jackals),
domestic cats (excluding hybrids with ocelots or margays), domesticated rodents and rabbits, captive-bred species of common cage birds, nonpoisonous snakes, fish, and turtles, traditionally kept in the home for pleasure rather than for commercial purposes, and racing pigeons (when kept in compliance with permit requirements).
To clarify the issue of whether chickens might qualify as a "captive-bred species of common cage birds," a call was placed to D.C. Animal Control. The answer came back, No, chickens do not qualify. They are not permitted in the District of Columbia.
Obviously, something we need to change.
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10 comments:
Join me in chicken envy, Ed. :(
Even Key West is having second thoughts about their famous chickens. http://keywestchickens.com/
HERE'S AN IDEA...MOVE TO A FARM!
Your house on Euclid St looks like the show "Green Acres" and no wonder your neighbors hate your guts......Ed move to the country and buy a farm. Your poor daughter who is obviously raised by two dysfunctional parents!
Wow, such anger. I feel sorry for you anonymous people. No wonder you don't dare show your face.
You can have chickens in Takoma Park! My previous housemates had a little flock of hens for a while, and someone on the next street over from me has a rooster that I hear most mornings.
Scoff away, haters. You don't know what you're missing with your pallid-yolked and possibly salmonella-bearing store-bought eggs. Why are you even reading Ed's blog?
I assume the anonymous haters read this blog because they like stoking their anger. The GardenRant used to have a global-warming denier visit and argue with anyone who'd listen, but he finally went away.
But back on chickens - yeah, move to Takoma Park! Okay, that'll never happen but at least come back for our next 4th of July Parade.
Rob, Takoma Park has always struck me as exceedingly civilized.
Susan, we are definitely there for July 4.
I know I'm coming to this discussion three years too late, but my wife and I are also interested in bringing chickens to D.C.! I recently wrote several members of the City Council asking them to consider revising the statute, and was thinking of a petition at farmer's markets this summer. Sound good?
Plenty of work has already been done. You don't need to duplicate it. Do some more research. Check on the D.C. Food for All blog. A group of chicken advocates has been formed.
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