[Vision2020] Turkeys Banned In New Poultry Regulation

[Art Deco]

I can attest that turkeys are much quieter than ducks or geese.  We raised them all when I was a kid.  Geese, especially, are vociferous watchdogs and can be heard a mile away.  We have a constant stream visiting turkeys now.  They are basically quiet.  Even when they gobble, it is not very loud.

The other consideration is this.  Neighbor kids make a lot more noise than oceans of fowl could (except peacocks).  If kids are allowed to make noise (no objection from me), why not a few turkeys?

However, Garrett, you may be swimming against a strong tide.  Facts and law have seldom deterred this particular city council from doing strange and counterproductive things.

W.
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Garrett Clevenger 
  To: vision2020 at moscow.com 
  Sent: Friday, November 13, 2009 12:26 PM
  Subject: [Vision2020] Turkeys Banned In New Poultry Regulation


  The city council will be considering a new poultry regulation (see below).  


  My concern is that it bans rearing turkeys within city limits aparrently because the city attorney thinks they are too noisy.  Ducks and geese will be allowed.  From my experience, ducks and geese are noisier.


  I've raised between three and five turkeys at a time off and on here in the city over the last ten years with no neighbor complaints.  In fact, people seem interested in the birds, particularly kids.


  Turkeys are only around for three to five months.  They don't pose more of a nuisance than chickens and are less noisy than barking dogs.


  Turkeys are very efficient and well-natured meat birds. Losing the ability to raise them in the city would be yet another blow to our connection with food we eat.


  I hope the city modifies this ordinance to include turkeys.  The current wording seems arbitrary.




  Garrett Clevenger




  SECTION 1:  That Moscow City Code Title 10, Chapter 4, Section 12 be amended as follows: 

  . . . 

  Sec. 4-12. Maintaining Certain Animals Regulated. 

  A. It shall be unlawful to keep or maintain any fowl, rabbits, horses, cows, sheep or goats 

  within the City, except as provided in this Chapter or as specifically provided elsewhere in 

  this Code.   

   1. a. Fowl.  For purposes of this subsection, “fowl” shall mean domesticated birds 

  (galliformes and anseriformes), and shall include chickens, ducks, and geese but shall 

  not include peafowl, guinea fowl, turkeys, ostriches, or emus.   

  i. A person may lawfully maintain four (4) fowl which are more than twelve (12) 

  weeks from hatch per lot of not less than five thousand (5,000) square feet and one 

  (1) additional fowl more than twelve (12) weeks from hatch for each additional 

  twelve hundred fifty (1,250) square feet per lot up to a total of twelve (12) fowl 

  more than twelve (12) weeks from hatch per lot. 

  ii. A person may also mainatin up to twenty five (25) fowl not more than twelve (12) 

  weeks from hatch, per lot which is of not less than five thousand (5,000) square 

  feet, if such fowl are not intended for sale and do not comprise a commercial 

  agricultural use, as demonstrated by the person keeping or maintaining such fowl.   

  iii. It shall be unlawful for a person to keep or maintain male fowl within the City 

  limits except for a time period not to exceed twelve (12) weeks from hatch, as 

  demonstrated by the person keeping or maintaining such male fowl.   

  iv. In no event shall the coop and/or run constructed for containing fowl be less than 

  twenty five feet (25’) from a dwelling other than that of the person keeping or 

  maintaining fowl.   

  v. It shall be unlawful for a person to keep or maintain peafowl, guinea fowl, 

  turkeys, ostriches, or emus within City limits.   

  vi. This subsection shall not apply to zoning districts which allow commercial 

  agricultural uses, or to areas otherwise exempted by this Code or to uses 

  specifically permitted by this Code. 

  specifically permitted by this Code. 



  Garrett Clevenger




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