Shining a light into a chicken coup is a class 4 misdemeanor in Virginia

Chickens in coupPhoto byThe BrewersonUnsplash

Keep the bright lights away from the poultry between sunset and sunup

Virginia has some little-known yet interesting laws that have been on the books for many years One of them is § 18.2-509. Employment of lights under certain circumstances. This ordinance makes it illegal for your vehicle lights or spotlight to shine on a chicken coup or any other animal dwelling unless it is on your own property.

Any person in any motor vehicle or otherwise who, between a half hour after sunset on any day and a half hour before sunrise the following day, employs a light attached to such vehicle, or employs a spotlight to cast a light beyond the surface of the roadway upon any poultry house or other building inhabited by animals that causes such animals to panic or become injured, except upon his own land or upon private land on which he has permission, shall be guilty of a Class 4 misdemeanor.

This law may sound odd but it will actually prevent chickens and other farm animals from panicking. Imagine a stampede of poultry or other farm animals because a bright light startled them out of their sleep. They could stumble upon one another or get loose and become injured or worse. If found guilty you could face a fine of up to $250.00.