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Do Richmond’s new chicken rules conflict with state law?

Posted at 3:53 PM, Apr 11, 2013
and last updated 2013-04-11 15:53:56-04

RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR) - Earlier this week Richmond City Council approved a plan to allow Richmonders to keep chickens on their property. But do the city's new rules fly in the face of state law?

Virginia law requires you buy at least six baby chicks at a time, but under Richmond's new ordinance homeowners can keep no more than four chickens on their property.

Virginia Dept. of Agriculture Director of Communications Elaine Lindolm said Richmond's new urban chicken rules should not conflict with state law.

She said state law allows more than one person to buy a group of six chicks, so the chicks could be split up. She also said, while less common, people interested in joining the urban chicken movement could skip buying chicks and instead take home a grown hen.

By the way, chicks are sold in groups of six because they need to huddle together to stay warm.