Michigans legislation was motivated in part by a changing market, which has been moving in a cage-free direction as a result of animal advocacy campaigns and shifting public sentiment. The other four states adopted guidelines set in 2017 by United Egg Producers (UEP) an egg industry trade group which recommend 1 square foot per bird. The 4-H Name and Emblem have special protections from Congress, protected by code 18 USC 707. NAMIs request for a preliminary injunction to block implementation of Prop 12 was denied by United States District Court for the Central District of Californiain November 2019. Oregon, Washington, and California also prohibit the production and sale of eggs obtained from caged hens. An outside, enclosed run may or may not be allowed. (ii) Turning around freely. It means just that chickens not kept in cages. February 27, 2012 It is important to note that cage-free does not mean cruelty-free, nor is it the same as free range the term cage-free does not mean hens have access to the outdoors. Quentin Tyler, Director, MSU Extension, East Lansing, MI 48824. Sharing information and facts of successful backyard chicken keeping. In general, an agricultural zoning designation will be ideal for the chicken-keeper. There are also some theories that chickens lay more if you have a rooster (but roosters can be aggressive and make more noise than chickens). The USDA does not recognize a labeling definition for pastured eggs as no standards are established. Chickens must be confined in a house or coop in the backyard of the residence with a minimum of 1 square foot per bird (144 square inches). Can You Raise Chickens in Michigan in the Winter? So ICAC started to use the Michigan Anti-cruelty laws for all vertebrates laws. In my experience, chickens will lay nicely for 2-3 years before their egg production slows or stops. A USDA or MDARD exemption does not exempt you from obtaining the proper permits for wastewater through the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), Water Resources Division or drinking water wells through your local health department (LHD). The coop should be designed to discourage rodents and wild birds from entering. Sales of eggs should not be allowed. Canning, gardening, and farm animals were all very foreign to me. Backyard Chicken Egg Selling Laws By State A. Whether you have 1 bird or 500, everyone will need to label their eggs with: Contact Information (Seller Name, Phone Number, & Address) "Sell By" Dates - 30 Days After Laid Michigan has become the fifth and largest egg-producing state to enact a "cage-free" egg law. So are you allowed to have chickens in your yard? Kroger stores expect to source 100% cage-free by 2025. Most Michigan animal owners have never read this law as they have no intention to be cruel to their pets.
