New rules would require a state permit for any chicken farm with more than 125,000 birds. It would apply to about 200 farms on the Eastern Shore.

Regulators would also be allowed to inspect chicken houses and collect water samples from nearby streams. John Ennis, a Salisbury poultry farmer, said he may pull out of the industry.

"I would not say it's a good move to get into it," Ennis said. "It's too much regulations, so I think you can better invest your money in other things and have a lot less work, really."