Kentucky
Weird Laws in Kentucky: Which Are Still on the Books?
Independently fact-checked against primary sources (last audited October 21, 2026). · 3 primary sources cited on this page. How we verify our legal content
We checked four claims from popular weird-law lists about Kentucky against the Kentucky Revised Statutes and, for the dueling claim, the Kentucky Constitution, as of October 21, 2026. Both claims that hold up are real and current, and one of them is written into the constitution itself. For other states, see our weird laws by state guide.
Weird laws in Kentucky: the verdicts
Each claim below was checked against the Kentucky code and, where it names a town, the local code. 4 claims checked.
The claim: Dyeing baby chicks/ducklings is illegal.
What the law says: Kentucky prohibits dyeing or coloring baby chicks, ducklings, other fowl or rabbits, and selling, displaying or possessing them once dyed. It also bars selling or giving away baby fowl or rabbits under two months old in lots of fewer than six.
“nor dye or color any baby chicks, ducklings, or other fowl or rabbits”
Penalty: Any person who violates this section shall be fined not less than $100 nor more than $500.
No court opinion in our database cites this section.
Primary source · Checked October 21, 2026.
The claim: Kentuckians must bathe at least once a year.
What the law says: No Kentucky statute found requiring residents to bathe at least once a year.
No state law found in the Kentucky code as of October 21, 2026.
How we searched
We searched the full text of the Kentucky Revised Statutes for any rule on bathing or how often people must bathe, and read the section titles of the miscellaneous-offenses and disorderly-conduct chapters.
Parts of the code read
- Kentucky Revised Statutes Chapter 436 (offenses against morality and miscellaneous offenses)
- Kentucky Revised Statutes Chapter 525 (riot, disorderly conduct and related offenses: section titles)
No town code was checked for this claim.
Primary source · Checked October 21, 2026.
The claim: Public officials must swear they never fought a duel.
What the law says: Section 228 of the Kentucky Constitution requires legislators, all officers and attorneys to swear an oath that includes denying they have fought a duel with deadly weapons, sent or accepted a challenge, or served as a second. Statutes also penalise dueling challenges (KRS 437.030) and disqualify convicted persons from office (KRS 61.100). The rule is constitutional, not a statute.
“since the adoption of the present Constitution, I, being a citizen of this State, have not fought a duel with deadly weapons within this State nor out of it”
Penalty: KRS 437.030: $500 fine and 6-12 months for challenging or accepting a challenge to fight with a deadly weapon
No court opinion in our database cites this section.
Primary source · Checked October 21, 2026.
The claim: Women in bathing suits restricted on highways.
What the law says: No current Kentucky highway statute found restricting women in bathing suits.
No state law found in the Kentucky code as of October 21, 2026.
How we searched
We searched the full text of the Kentucky Revised Statutes for any rule on bathing suits, swimsuits or bathing attire, and searched the traffic regulations and disorderly-conduct chapters for rules on dress or clothing.
Parts of the code read
- Kentucky Revised Statutes Chapter 189 (traffic regulations)
- Kentucky Revised Statutes Chapter 525 (riot, disorderly conduct and related offenses)
No town code was checked for this claim.
Primary source · Checked October 21, 2026.
Checked October 21, 2026. This is legal history and information, not legal advice. Laws change; the linked official text is the authority.
An oath against dueling
The dueling claim is true, and it is a constitutional rule rather than a statute. Section 228 of the Kentucky Constitution sets the oath that legislators, all officers and attorneys must take, and part of it reads:
since the adoption of the present Constitution, I, being a citizen of this State, have not fought a duel with deadly weapons within this State nor out of it
The oath goes on to deny sending or accepting a challenge to a duel, or serving as a second. Two statutes back it up. KRS 437.030 punishes challenging someone, or accepting a challenge, to fight with a deadly weapon, with a $500 fine and 6 to 12 months, and KRS 61.100 disqualifies convicted persons from office.
Dyed chicks and ducklings
KRS 436.600 forbids anyone to "dye or color any baby chicks, ducklings, or other fowl or rabbits," and also bars selling, displaying or possessing them once dyed. The same section has a second rule: baby fowl or rabbits under two months old may not be sold or given away in lots of fewer than six.
A violation carries a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $500.
Two bathing claims with no state law found
No state law was found in the Kentucky Revised Statutes as of October 21, 2026 requiring Kentuckians to bathe at least once a year. We searched the full text of the Kentucky Revised Statutes for any rule on bathing or how often people must bathe, and read the section titles of chapters 436 and 525, which hold the miscellaneous-offenses and disorderly-conduct laws.
The claim that women in bathing suits are restricted on highways also came up empty. A full-text search for bathing suits, swimsuits or bathing attire, and a search of the traffic chapter (KRS 189) and chapter 525 for any rule on dress, found no current statute.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Kentucky officials have to swear they never fought a duel?
Yes. Section 228 of the Kentucky Constitution requires legislators, all officers and attorneys to swear an oath that includes denying they have fought a duel with deadly weapons, sent or accepted a challenge, or acted as a second.
Is it illegal to dye baby chicks in Kentucky?
KRS 436.600 prohibits dyeing or coloring baby chicks, ducklings, other fowl or rabbits, and selling, displaying or possessing them once dyed. A violation is punished by a fine of $100 to $500.
Do Kentuckians have to bathe once a year by law?
No Kentucky statute requiring residents to bathe at least once a year was found in the Kentucky Revised Statutes as of October 21, 2026.
What are some weird laws in Kentucky?
Two real ones: the constitutional oath in which officials and attorneys swear they have never fought a duel, and the statute banning dyed baby chicks, ducklings and rabbits. For the claims about a yearly bath and bathing suits on highways, no state law was found in the Kentucky Revised Statutes as of October 21, 2026.
Updates
Independently fact-checked against the cited primary sources
Sources and References
- Kentucky Constitution Section 228, Oath of officers and attorneys (Kentucky General Assembly)(apps.legislature.ky.gov).gov
- KRS 436.600, dyeing or selling baby fowl and rabbits (Kentucky General Assembly)(apps.legislature.ky.gov).gov
- KRS 525.060, Disorderly conduct in the second degree (Kentucky General Assembly)(apps.legislature.ky.gov).gov