Roosters As Pets

By the time you’re hearing this, one nuisance is no more. I’m Amy E. Feldman.

A Nigerian man was taken to court by his neighbors because his pet rooster’s loud crowing disturbed their sleep, so the magistrate judge ordered the man to slaughter the rooster by last week.  Wow. Tough judge. The USDA estimates more than 13 million people in the US now have backyard poultry flocks.  So what rights do neighbors here have to prevent others from keeping them as pets?

Well, homeowners associations have rules and municipalities have zoning laws many of which prohibit the keeping of roosters both because of the noise and to prevent cockfighting.  But even if there’s no specific ordinance banning them, every town has nuisance laws that prevent excessive noise, so you do have some rights, at least to get the rooster relocated. But first, try talking to your neighbors because they’re unlikely ever to invite you for dinner if you tried to get their pet put on the menu.