MOORE HAVEN – Glades County will allow up to six chickens per residence in residential areas.

At their Jan. 22 meeting, Glades County Commissioners amended the county ordinance in regard to chickens.

Up to six chickens may be kept within an occupied single-family property located in residential zoning districts. Chickens may be kept within manufactured home subdivisions, but not on duplex, triplex, or multifamily properties. Chickens may not be kept in mobile home parks.

Existing uses of chickens in residential zoning may continue with the same number of chickens as of the effective date of the ordinance. An existing chicken may be replaced with another chicken. The total number of chickens may not increase.

This restriction does not apply to a child who is a member of 4-H or Future Farmers of America (FFA), who is raising chickens as a 4-H or FFA project. However, the child must register their chickens with the County Extension Office.

Chickens must be kept within a coop and in a fence enclosure. Rolling coops are permitted.

Ducks, geese, turkeys, peafowl, adult male chickens (roosters) or any other poultry or fowl are not allowed in residential areas.

Chickens may be kept for personal use only. Selling chickens, eggs or chicken manure or the breeding of chickens for commercial purposes is prohibited.

Chickens may not be slaughtered on premises.

The coop shall provide a minimum of 3-square-feet of space per chicken and be of sufficient size to permit free movement of the chickens. The coop may not be taller than 6 feet and must be easily accessible for cleaning and maintenance.

The coop shall be covered and ventilated, and a fenced enclosure/run is required. The coop and enclosure must be completely secured from predators.

The coop and enclosure shall comply with district setback standards.

All stored feed must be kept in a rodent and predator-proof container.

Chickens must be kept within a coop and enclosure. No person shall release or set any chicken free from the enclosure.

Chicken coops and enclosures must be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition. Chickens shall not be permitted to create a nuisance consisting of odor, noise or pests.

The ordinance change only applies to homes in residential zoning.