Hopewell Township Limits Cock-A-Doodle-Dooing Between Hens, Roosters

HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Roosters looking to get lucky in one New Jersey town are going to get their feathers ruffled.

Hopewell Township has adopted an ordinance that regulates when chickens and roosters can hook up in backyard henhouses.

Seriously, folks.

Additionally, roosters must show they're disease-free and had better not crow about their conquests. According to the new rules, Hopewell Township residents can have up to a half-dozen hens on half-acre lots. Roosters would be allowed only 10 days a year for fertilization purposes.

Mature roosters are not allowed because they're too noisy. Any roosters that crow too long can be banned from the property for two years.

Mayor Jim Burd told The Times of Trenton the ordinance is a compromise between today's lifestyle and the township's agricultural history.

Perhaps they'd have better luck in Key West, Fla?

Can you believe this is an actual ordinance? Share your comments below