What would you do???

You might want to start with the zoning. It could have a profound affect on your desire for this particular parcel of land. Just a thought.

What do you mean??

.....................In some states , the planning\zoning board has the legal responsibility too establish rules about "what" you can do , on Your land , Even IF it is outside the city limits . For instantance , on parcels less than 10 acres you maynot beable to drill a water well for personal use(I'm postulating a Hypothetical rule here , obviously) . You need to "educate" yourself as too all the "rules of the Road" as to what is permissable , and what , Ain't , LOL . , fordy...

Where can I find this info?

Hey, a fellow Hoosier! Welcome!
This is a good read.
http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles/clay62.html

Also, any books by John Seymour and/or Carla Emery. And, the Foxfire series.

Call the county clerk's office.

We got our first batch of chicks in late June one year, and butchered the roasters before snow fell. Indianna has a long enough summer that you can get your chicks in June or July and be able to butcher them before snow, if you want. The chickens will forage on weeds and bugs (fleas, ticks, etc). They are great pesticides. We have too many eggs for our use and are always giving them away. But, the chickens do such a good job of bug patrol, that they are worth keeping.

__________________
Nothing is as strong as gentleness, nothing so gentle as real strength - St. Francis de Sales

ZONING should have been discussed before the purchase was consumated. If a realtor was involved in the sale ASK the realtor, have the realtor put it in writing. Some places are really finiky, like only one horse per 5 acres. Go to the county registrars office, they have all the info. Planning & zoning votes on what can/cannot be done. County registrar has what is already voted upon.

15-20 chickens? are they just for eggs or for eating too? I have 18 & they lay a lot of eggs...Have to get them to go to freezer camp..

I know 7 acres seems like alot but not knowing the location exaclty, just that your from Indiana I would make sure your area is "Allowed" for lack of better terms, to have the things you want also. Some areas re starting to require "fees" for having chickens or limiting them like here in Terre Haute you can't have chickens, even if you ample land to do so. They don't like the crowing. The smell, you name it, and then the zone you out. Less than an hour from here a person had such a property for over 30 yrs and then he was told he couldn't have his livestock anymore. It happens.It was a major concern ( Urban sprawl ) when we were looking for a house, even though we were not planning on homesteadiing or owning llivestock when we purchased this house.

GOOD LUCK , Do what makes you happy, just make sure you know what that is before investing alot of $$$ time and tears.

__________________
Reverend George Hoppes

Available to preform Weddings, Blessings and other services in Southern Missouri.
http://ministers.themonastery.org/profile/Hoppes65761

I called the planning commission, it is zoned for agriculture. The land is up against a farmer who, as far as I can see, does cows and corn.

No matter where you are, nor what you plan to do, FIRST thing is get to know your neighbors and ask them for suggestions!

Example: A nice but very old house near here was for sale - cheap! Very cheap. People from "off" came and bought it "cheap" without knowing that the waterfall on the side, sometimes changes paths and runs under the house! Had they asked neighbors, they would not have bought it.

Example: We let our spring head run down, not having the good sense to know what to do with a spring. (this was our first year here BEFORE I learned to turn to and trust the local neighbors) We then had to spend $7,000 on a well which only gets about 2 gallons per minute. Later, when neighbors taught us how to clean out the spring, we get about 5 gallons of pure spring water from the spring........should have gotten to know the neighbors and asked them what to do first and saved myself $7,000......

Go and ask neighbors! Good luck

The chickens are going to be for eggs. I didnt know you could get them in the mail...? Hmmm... Wont be till next year at this point but how many should I start with and what kind?