River Trails Homeowners Association

Are they restrictions to having a rooster as a pet?

Someone near us on Mystic has a rooster.  The rooster can't fully cock-a-doodle-doo, but tries all day long. 

I've rec'd some citizen complaints about chickens running loose on Pedernales near Salado.

The hardcore truth that I don't even want to post for fear others will follow is that chickens are allowed in residential areas provided they are in a pen and there are no HOA restrictions.  This info. came straight from NCD 1 Code Compliance Supv. Elder at 817.831.3093.  I just got off the phone with him.

Don't quote me because I could be wrong but, I believe because we are a voluntary HOA, I don't think restrictions can be set on that.  However, if the chickens are getting loose or running loose in the back yard, then this is a violation and should be reported. If you know the location of the violation, you can report it at http://www.fortworthgov.org/codecomp/complaints/newcomplaint.asp.

I raised chickens as a small country girl and I can tell you....If not properly cared for, chickens are prime breeding grounds for fleas, lice and red mites.  Red mites can breed within a few weeks and produce millions.  They will bite you, your kids, dogs, etc. And they are a little harder to get rid of than fleas.  If you live near these chickens I would suggest running sevin dust or some sort of pesticide (all natural should you choose) around your fence line.

As for the cock-a-doodle-do, there are noise ordinances in place but, they are really hard to enforce from a CODE COMPLIANCE perspective.  Much like barking dogs.  It is usually viewed as a civil dispute.

Hope this helps shine some light on the topic.  I hate to be the bearer of bad news but, I wanted to get you all an anwser.

Melissa McDougall

River Trails COP Captain  (By the way...I'm not a CODE Ranger.)

I was hoping for good news.  I am being boxed in by chickens and roosters.  They are both on Mystic Trail.  The chickens get out of their coop a lot.  I have not seen the rooster out  (different owner) but hear him trying to sing!

Thank you for the information on the seven dust.  My yard will get a dusting today.

Personally I am embarrassed that there is a rooster in the neighborhood.  Everytime I hear it I cringe.  This neighborhood has really gone downhill over the last 6 years that I've lived here.  If I hadn't refinanced last year and spent so much money updated my home, I would move.