These key ingredients will gain you success in raising backyard chickens.
Shelter--make sure the chikens can get to cover in case of bad weather
Protection--from predators
Space--make sure your chickens have adequate room
Lighting--try putting a window in
Ventilation--make sure the ammonia from the chicken droppings can air out
Cleaning--make sure you clean the coop on a regular basis
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Chicken Anatomy 101
Ever want to know what makes up a chicken......................................................
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Where Do Chickens Sleep?
CHICKEN ROOSTS
A 2" by 4" or 2" by 2" board works nicely as a roost. You can also use a tree branch measuring between 3" to 6." I used a 2 x 4 and rounded off the edges with a circular saw, and these are working like a champ. This step is not necessary, but I've found that they are able to grip onto the roost better when it's slightly rounded. A view of my roost and walkway leading to the roost is pictured below.
I made sure to place the roosts where the droppings are not in my way when I enter the coop so I don't have to clean it off my shoes after being inside. Chickens seem to like roosting higher in the coop at night, so I positioned mine about 4 feet off the ground. I then constructed a walkway leading up to the roost. It's basically an 8" wide board which angles up from the floor to the roost with some make shift "steps" nailed on and spaced every 6" or so - something they can use to "grip" onto as they walk up.Depending on the type of coop you build, you may also want to consider positioning the roosts where you can easily clean up the droppings.
A 2" by 4" or 2" by 2" board works nicely as a roost. You can also use a tree branch measuring between 3" to 6." I used a 2 x 4 and rounded off the edges with a circular saw, and these are working like a champ. This step is not necessary, but I've found that they are able to grip onto the roost better when it's slightly rounded. A view of my roost and walkway leading to the roost is pictured below.
I made sure to place the roosts where the droppings are not in my way when I enter the coop so I don't have to clean it off my shoes after being inside. Chickens seem to like roosting higher in the coop at night, so I positioned mine about 4 feet off the ground. I then constructed a walkway leading up to the roost. It's basically an 8" wide board which angles up from the floor to the roost with some make shift "steps" nailed on and spaced every 6" or so - something they can use to "grip" onto as they walk up.Depending on the type of coop you build, you may also want to consider positioning the roosts where you can easily clean up the droppings.
Chicken Coop Materials
CHICKEN COOP MATERIALS
Chicken coops can be made from almost anything - revamping an old shed or camping trailer, using scrap lumber, PVC pipes, 50 gallon barrels, tarps, kits, and the list goes on. Wood is the most commonly used material for coop building. Depending on the size of your coop, buying new lumber can get expensive.
I was able to find a couple of businesses which sell used or scrap lumber and this worked nicely for my 4'x 8' coop. I even found some used windows and a couple sets of unused shingle there. If you decide to build your coop with used lumber, be prepared to pull out some nails, cut out some broken pieces, and to be creative with what you find. It takes extra time and TLC to build a coop using "recycled" or used wood - but I found the extra time well worth it in how much money I saved!
CHICKEN NEST BOXES
The suggested size for chicken nest boxes is 15" wide, 15" high and 11 1/8" (see picture for example). This can vary to a certain extent. My nest boxes are about 2" smaller than this and work just fine. You can fill your boxes with straw or place some type of padding down on the bottom so the eggs won't crack when they lay. I noticed that they tend to kick and scratch a lot of straw out of the boxes so I stapled a piece of padding onto the bottom.
I started off with 8 chickens and made a nest box for each chicken. It turns out they all used the same 2 nest boxes for laying eggs! I've even seen 3 chickens in the same nest box at the same time - therefore, you don't need to make too many boxes. They tend to gravitate toward the same box. If you have a big flock - you'll need to make more. In some of the links I've provided, there are some excellent pictures of nest boxes, diagrams, and "how-to" instructions for building nest boxes. A view of a couple of my nest boxes is pictured above.
Chicken coops can be made from almost anything - revamping an old shed or camping trailer, using scrap lumber, PVC pipes, 50 gallon barrels, tarps, kits, and the list goes on. Wood is the most commonly used material for coop building. Depending on the size of your coop, buying new lumber can get expensive.
I was able to find a couple of businesses which sell used or scrap lumber and this worked nicely for my 4'x 8' coop. I even found some used windows and a couple sets of unused shingle there. If you decide to build your coop with used lumber, be prepared to pull out some nails, cut out some broken pieces, and to be creative with what you find. It takes extra time and TLC to build a coop using "recycled" or used wood - but I found the extra time well worth it in how much money I saved!
The suggested size for chicken nest boxes is 15" wide, 15" high and 11 1/8" (see picture for example). This can vary to a certain extent. My nest boxes are about 2" smaller than this and work just fine. You can fill your boxes with straw or place some type of padding down on the bottom so the eggs won't crack when they lay. I noticed that they tend to kick and scratch a lot of straw out of the boxes so I stapled a piece of padding onto the bottom.
I started off with 8 chickens and made a nest box for each chicken. It turns out they all used the same 2 nest boxes for laying eggs! I've even seen 3 chickens in the same nest box at the same time - therefore, you don't need to make too many boxes. They tend to gravitate toward the same box. If you have a big flock - you'll need to make more. In some of the links I've provided, there are some excellent pictures of nest boxes, diagrams, and "how-to" instructions for building nest boxes. A view of a couple of my nest boxes is pictured above.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
backyard chickens
Raising chickens is a fun and rewarding backyard hobby. There's nothing better than waking up to a happy flock of hens. You can raise chickens anywhere you have a little space, whether it's an urban city backyard or a spacious country ranch. With help, you'll discover that establishing a sustainable poultry hobby is a lot easier than you might think. I'll teach you absolutely everything you need to know, including the best hatcheries to buy baby chicks; what to feed your pet chickens; and how to build a simple chicken coop.
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Thursday, September 16, 2010
Check The Chicken Laws First...........
AL
Homewood, AL. A new stronger anti-chicken ordinance passed in March 2008. Any public nuisance that unreasonably annoys human beings, unsanitary conditions, offensive cackle, cruelty, etc is grounds for non-compliance. Unlawful for fowl in the city limits unless they are 300 feet from residences/buildings, and more than 100 feet from road.
Huntsville, AL. Fowl must be kept 150 ft. from neighboring residences, which of course is impossible on your typical city lot.
AR
Fayettville, AR. Just passed a chicken ordinance in 2008. No more than four hens, no roosters, not closer than 25 feet to adjacent dwellings, 4 square feet per bird in a coop and 100 square feet of run required.
Flagstaff, AZ The chicken coop is to be 75 feet away from a residence.
Little Rock, AR. The chickens must be at least 5 feet from the owner's residence and at least 25 feet away from any other residence. Their housing must have three square feet of floor space per chicken over 4 months of age. There appears to be a four-hen limit.
Mobile, AL. Unlimited chickens allowed. No breeding, no roosters.
AZ
Gilbert, AZ. On each lot up to 12,000 square feet, any combination of up to 25 fowl and pet rodents are permitted.
CA
Albany, CA. Allows residents to keep up to 6 hens (no roosters) in their backyard with a permit.
American Canyon, CA. Must keep your chicken coop in the back yard, and 50 ft. away from other houses or dwellings where people reside.
Anaheim, CA. Can keep 3 chickens on a 5,000 sq.ft. lot, 6 chickens on a 10,000 sq.ft. lot.
Bakersfield, CA. Municipal code 6.08.010: Any chickens must be "kept securely enclosed in a yard or pen at all times."
Berkely, CA. Chickens must be kept penned and 30 ft. away from any bedrooms.
Campbell, CA. Not more than six animals in all, including hares, rabbits, guinea pigs, feline, bovine, sheep, goat, chickens, turkeys, geese, ducks, doves, pigeons, game birds, or other fowl or any combination thereof.
Davis, CA. A total of not more than six chicken hens and you have to keep them penned no less than 40 ft. from neighboring houses.
Downey, CA. Up to five chickens allowed per lot.
El Cajon, CA. See: http://qcode.us/codes/elcajon/view.php?topic=6-6_04&frames=on. Allows up to 24 adult poultry on lots over 20,000 sq ft in residential zones.
Folsom, CA. Not more than any combination of two chickens, ducks, pigeons and rabbits shall be kept within any zoning district of the city other than agricultural or agricultural combining districts; and said animals shall be kept or maintained at least twenty feet from any property line.
Imperial Beach, CA. The municipal code says no, but a feed store estimates around 500 chickens are kept as pets.
Irvine, CA. Two chickens max. allowed, kept in a sanitary, odor free enclosure. No roosters are allowed.
Lakewood, CA. It appears Lakewood says residents can have up to 5 female fowl.
La Puente, CA. Up to 20 chickens allowed for each ten thousand sq. feet of lot area in residential zones.
Lafayette, CA. Residents can keep approximately 4 chickens.
Long Beach CA. The law is 1 chicken with a 20 feet setback restriction. Twenty chickens are allowed with a 50 feet setback restriction from single and two-family dwellings, and a 100 feet setback restriction from hotels or multiple (3+) family dwellings. This is virtually impossible in a city like Long Beach.
Los Angeles, CA. Number of chickens you can keep is unlimited. Chickens may not be within 20 feet of owner's residence, and must be at least 35 feet from any other dwelling.
Los Altos, CA. 1 hen per 1,000 square feet of lot space. No restrictions on coop location. No roosters.
Mission Viejo, CA. You are allowed up to two chickens, and roosters are not allowed. But city code 9.59.115-1 says no chickens allowed.
Mountain View, CA. Up to 4 hens without a permit. Keep 25 ft. from residences. Within 25 ft. is o.k. with written consent from residences. No roosters.
Oakland, CA. Keep chicken enclosed, & 20 ft. from any dwelling, church or school.
Petaluma, CA. Up to twenty animals of mixed combination. Chickens must be kept five feet from a neighbor’s fence or property line, and they must be kept 20 ft. from neighboring dwellings.
Poway, CA. If your property is at least a 6,000 sq.ft. lot, you can keep up to six hens. Must keep chickens 35 feet from neighbors. Don’t have your chicken house in any of the set-backs.
Redwood City, CA. Maximum of 3 chickens permitted; roosters were recently outlawed.
Roseville, CA. Maximum 10 chickens kept 20 ft. from any property line &/or building. They don't delineate hens or roosters.
Santa Rosa, CA. Livestock is not permitted here, unless your area is zoned “rural.” May have 25 chickens per 20,000 square feet. No chickens in residential areas zoned R1, R2 or PRC. People keep chickens in this town; just that it is technically illegal to do so.
Sacramento, CA. Except for a few areas specifically spelled out in code, keeping chickens is not allowed in Sacramento.
Sacramento County, CA. As long as your yard is 10,000 square feet or more, you can keep chickens.
San Carlos, CA. Can keep a total number of four (4) poultry.
San Jose, CA. 1-4 chickens must be kept 15 feet from neighboring structures. 4-6 chickens must be kept 20 feet away. A permit is required if you keep more than 6 chickens. In any area zoned ‘residential,’ only hens are permitted; no roosters.
San Diego, CA. Currently undergoing debates in the city council, trying to get chickens to be legal in this city.
San Francisco, CA. Up to four chickens allowed. Up to four small animals total. Keep 20 feet from doors or windows in a coop or enclosure of approved type.
San Leandro, CA. No livestock of any kind shall be keep within the
city limits. But people are currently and actively working on a civic project to get the law reworded to allow chickens and bee-keeping, so hop on board with them.
San Mateo, CA. Keeping chickens requires a permit here. Up to 10 hens per household. Chickens must be kept in an appropriate pen/coop.
Temple City, CA. Basically it allows two hens per property, but no roosters.
Vallejo, CA. You are allowed to keep up to 25 chickens if they are kept 15 ft. from neighboring dwellings. Roosters are allowed but subject to noise nuisance violations.
Woodland, CA. It is OK to keep up to 6 hens provided they are kept over 40 ft. from neighboring residences.
CO
Arvada, CO. No person or household shall own or have custody of more than two female chickens or turkeys.
Colorado Springs, CO. A property may have a maximum of 10 fowl (chickens, ducks, etc.) requiring at least four square feet of coop area and adequate outdoor space. No roosters permitted within the city limits.
Denver, CO. Chicken permit must be purchased from the city for $50 & you must show that the enclosure will be clean & pest free. $50 is the application fee. There is an additional $100 license fee, followed by an annual fee of $70 to own chickens. You also have to put two signs in your front yard for one month allowing neighbors to object
Northglenn, CO. Not allowed unless property is zoned for agriculture.
Thornton, CO. Not zoned for fowl.
Westminster, CO. Not allowed unless property is zoned for agriculture.
D.C.
Washington D.C. Section 902 of the Animal Control Code requires hens to be 50 ft. from any residence. Citizens are currently working to eliminate the 50 ft. rule, and to modify the requirement that you have to get written consent from all your neighbors before you keep chickens. Currently, chickens are neither legal nor expressly illegal in D.C.
DE
New Castle County, DE. Chickens are not allowed unless your parcel of land is over one acre.
FL
Boca Raton, FL. It shall be unlawful to keep, harbor or maintain within the city limits any horses, mules, sheep, cattle, hogs, goats, geese, turkeys, chickens or other livestock or fowl.
Boynton Beach, FL. Says it is against the law "to keep, maintain or pasture horses, cattle, mules, goats, sheep, swine, fowl, poultry, or other livestock within the city."
Levy County, FL. 10 is the max. number poultry and fowl it appears you can keep in this city.
Miami, FL. May have up to 15 hens, no roosters. But must be contained at least 100 feet from neighboring structures. So tenants and homeowners that reside in a residential zoning district cannot raise or breed chickens. Droppings shall not be used for fertilizer. All poultry or fowl droppings shall be removed from the pens at least twice weekly, wrapped in paper and placed in covered garbage cans for removal.
Sanford, FL. A recent law (2007) says that this city does not allow chickens and you can only have 3 dogs and 3 cats. No potbelly pigs, goats, etc. Other sources regarding the county says that chickens are permitted in the county, but you must keep chickens penned 25 ft. away from your own house and 150 ft. away from neighbors, which would be possible on very large lots.
GA
Lawrenceville, GA. No chickens allowed. However, apparently this law is only enforced if someone complains.
Alpharetta, GA. There is a 75 chicken maximum.
Atlanta, GA. Chickens are allowed here.
IA
Clive, IA. No more than 12 chickens on lots less than 1.5 acres. Must be 150 feet from homes and 50 feet from property line.
Davenport, IA. Chickens not allowed, unless property is zoned as agricultural.
Des Moines, IA. Lots smaller than 1 acre, up to 30 birds; lots 1 acre or larger, up to 50 birds. Not allowed in the front yard, and must be at least 25' from neighbors.
Johnston, IA. "No...chickens shall be allowed to run at large within the corporate limits of the city..."
Sioux City, IA. Permit required. No roosters over 4 months old. No more than 50 birds total. Must be at least 25' from the home and at least 150' from neighboring homes. Urbandale, IA. Chickens must be kept at least 150 feet from any dwelling.
West Des Moines, IA. Chickens may not "run at large."
Windsor Heights, IA. No more than 2 chickens allowed; must be kept in a coop at all times. Must be at least 25' from neighboring residences, and may not be in front yard.
Waukee, IA. No fowl shall be kept within the city limits of the City, except in A-1 District or A-2 Annexation District on tracts of one (1) or more acres.
ID
Nampa, ID. Keep 50 ft. from neighbors. Pay $50 for a permit. Only 3 chickens allowed and no roosters.
Boise, ID. Up to three "pet" hens allowed. No roosters.
IL
Chicago, IL. Can have unlimited number of chickens if use is only for pets or eggs; cannot have if use is to slaughter. Must be penned.
Evanston, IL. Illegal to keep chickens here, but folks are currently working to get this law changed, so go to council meetings here.
Wheaton, IL. Sec. 14-99. Keeping livestock within city: “It shall be unlawful to keep any livestock or similar animals anywhere in
the city.”
IN
Evansville, IN. No more than 6 chickens allowed, coop must be at least 50 feet from any neighbor dwelling, and you have to pay a $5 license per premise annually.
Lafayette, IN. Livestock of any kind is prohibited in this city.
KS
Lawrence, KS. Put a law on the books April 2, 2009 that says a homeowner can have up to 20 chickens, no roosters.
Topeka, KS. Unlimited chickens allowed. Chickens must be penned 50 feet from any neighbor’s house.
Wichita, KS. Will allow up to 5 chickens (no roosters or guineas) without any fees.
KY
Louisville, KY. If your lot is less than a half of an acre, then you can only have five hens, or “non-crowing” poultry. I.e., if you have non-crowing poultry, you can have up to five birds. Must be penned and not allowed to roam on the owner’s land. You can have up to 1 crowing and 5 non-crowing poultry on less than a half-acre tract, but must have at least a half-acre to have more than that.
LA
Baton Rouge, LA. The keeping of more than three chickens within a recognized residential subdivision on a lot of less than one acre is prohibited. If you live on less than one acre, your max. number of hens allowed is three.
New Orleans, LA. Sale or donation of chicks younger than 4 weeks of age is prohibited except in quantities of 12 to an individual. Giving fowl away as prize or advertising device is also prohibited. Chickens are to be treated humanely and kept in clean, sturdy housing.
MA
Belmont, MA. Allows up to 5 hens in an inspected coop. Contact the animal control division or public health department and they will inspect the coop for adequate size and placement.
Boston, MA. All residential zones in Boston forbid "auxilliary keeping of animals", which includes poultry and other livestock.
Brockton, MA. Hens are allowed, but roosters are not.
Cambridge, MA. Nowhere are chickens mentioned in the city codes. The city itself comments that as long as the chickens are "pets", there is nothing to enforce or not enforce.
Lynn, MA. You have to go to all your neighbors and have them sign a petition stating that they would not have any problems with you having the hens. If you have complaints from neighbors about your chickens, you are subject to a fine of $1000.00 per day.
Northampton, MA. A maximum of three hens allowed; no roosters.
Springfield, MA. Keeping chickens is technically illegal in this city.
Somerset, MA. The entire town is zoned agricultural. No limits on the amount of chickens allowed. You are asked to submit a plan for your management of manure.
Wenham, MA. Poultry allowed, but the town may restrict your operation if it causes a public nuisance (noise) or public health issues (disease).
Westfield, MA. Chickens not allowed. No "livestock." Maximum of five cats and dogs.
Westwood, MA. Up to 10 fowl allowed on lots less than 40,000 sq. feet, Coop must be 15 feet from property lines. Permit application must include site plan. $10 annual permit fee and BOH inspection prior to issuance of the permit. Cockerels must be kept 1,000 feet from property lines.
MD
Baltimore County, MD. Must have 1 acre of land to have poultry.
Baltimore City, MD. Up to four chickens can be kept (no roosters) as long as they are confined to a moveable pen that is kept 25 feet away from all residences.
Baltimore City, MD. You can have up to for hens, no roosters, must have a permit
Rockville, MD. Chickens are not allowed; neither are ducks, goats, or anything
primarily kept on a farm.
ME
Camden, ME. As of July 2009, this town now allows up to 9 hens or other small animals like rabbits even if your lot is smaller than 2.5 acres.
Falmouth, ME. An unspecified number of hens are allowed.
Guilford, ME. "There shall be no poultry or livestock in the Town of Guilford within the municipal Water or Sewer Districts, with the exception that if the lot is 5 acres or more the Planning Board will have the authority to grant a variance.” Basically, no poultry or livestock within the Water or Sewer Districts.
Portland, ME. Chickens not legal, but currently voting to hopefully pass an ordinance allowing 6 hens.
South Portland, ME. Voted in 2007 to allow 6 hens per household, with restrictions (see full ordinance at www.SoPoChickens.org)
MI
Ann Arbor, MI. An ordinance was approved on June 2, 2008. Up to 4 hens are now allowed, and you must pay $20 for a permit.
Benton Harbor, MI. No person shall keep or maintain more than five animals or fowls or a combination of more than five animals and fowls.
Detroit, MI. Not allowed. No "farm animals."
East Lansing, MI. Recently approved the keeping of city chickens. A permit may be required.
East Grand Rapids, MI. No chickens may be kept on the same lot or premises of any dwelling without obtaining prior written approval from the Director of City Services.
Flint, MI. Chickens not allowed yet. Some citizens are working to change ordinance.
Lansing, MI. Allows up to 5 backyard hens, no roosters. The Ingham County Board of Commissioners carved out a backyard hen exemption to its own ordinance prohibiting livestock in residential areas. Chickens must be contained and unless your neighbors give you written consent you can't have your coop within 10 feet of the property line nor with 40 feet of any residential structure on an adjacent property.
North Branch, MI. No one may house chickens unless you are “a farm.”
Traverse City, MI. Chickens are now legal in Traverse City.
MN
Blaine, MN. Domestic farm animals, including cattle, horses, sheep, goats and chickens are only permitted in Agricultural (AG) and Farm Residential (FR) zoning districts.
Edina, MN. Chickens not allowed.
Elk River, MN. Elk River defines an ‘animal’ as a dog, cat, or other animal which is harbored, fed, or kept by any person. No dog, cat, or other animal shall be allowed by its owner to run at large.
Minneapolis, MN. Unlimited. Applicant needs consent from 80 percent of neighbors within 100 feet of real estate. Chickens must be penned.
Plymouth, MN. The City of Plymouth does not allow chickens in residential zoning districts.
Rosemount, MN. You can have up to 3 hens, no roosters. You must get written permission from all the neighbors whose yards border yours. You must keep them in a coop between 12 and 24 inches above ground and the legs of the coop must be sunk in cement footers. And there is a $25 annual fee to keep chickens.
St. Paul, MN. Can have one chicken without a permit, but more than one you have to get permission from 75% of neighbors 150 ft. around, or proof you have no neighbors for 150 feet. No roosters, and no selling eggs without a permit.
St. Francis, MN. No fowl may be kept on a parcel of real estate smaller in area than five acres, except for the keeping of pigeons and doves.
MT
Missoula, MT. Now allows urban chickens with a $15 a year permit.
MO
Kansas City, MO. It is o.k. to have a chicken coop within city limits as long as it is 100 feet away from any other building (besides your own) where people
live. Also, you have to keep the manure from becoming a nuisance, and keep the coop in good condition. You are limited to 15 chickens.
Kirksville, MO. Maximum of five hens are allowed. Must be kept in sanitary conditions, and may not present a public nuisance. Cockfighting is prohibited.
St. Louis, MO. You can keep up to four chickens without a permit. If you want to keep more, you must file a permit (cost is $40) with the Health Commissioner.
NC
Asheville, NC. Must have permit, must keep chickens 100ft. from neighboring households, chickens must be penned, the enclosure inspected by the City, and droppings must be "collected and sealed in a container."
Black Mountain, NC. There are no laws specifically prohibiting chickens, but do not let your chickens smell, keep roosters, wander at large, or otherwise bother neighbors.
Chapel Hill, NC. 20 chickens allowed.
Durham, NC. Up to 10 female chickens allowed in city backyards. Birds can be no closer than 15 ft. from your property line and you must get permits which regulate your coop location and construction.
Raleigh, NC. No limit on number of chickens kept.
Woodfin, NC. There are no restrictions on keeping chickens if you own at least one acre.
ND
Grand Forks, ND. You can keep chickens, provided they are kept 75 feet from any neighboring dwelling. If your yard is this big, your chickens must never become a “public nuisance.”
Minot, ND. No person shall keep fowl of any kind or pigeons within the city, except in those commercial zones where such animals are kept for sale.
NE
Lincoln, NE. Can have two chickens without a permit.
Omaha, NE. May have chickens in city limits as long as they are hens, no roosters, for egg production. Must have enclosure, subject to The Humane Society inspection, to apply for permit.
NH
Hampstead, NH. Zoning regulations have no mention of chickens. The Town Hall says: The keeping of animals shall not create a health or safety issue, and fences shall be erected that are adequate to prevent animals from escaping.
NJ
Red Bank, NJ. No poultry or fowl for any purpose may be kept inside of or within 40 feet of any house, dwelling or store. No more than 12 of any fowl or poultry can be kept without a permit. Any fowl or poultry must be kept and maintained in a pen, coop, yard or enclosure.
NM
Albuquerque, NM. Zoning allows the raising of unlimited poultry if penned at least 20 feet from neighboring dwellings.
Santa Fe, NM. Unlimited chickens allowed.
NV
Henderson, NV. No roosters allowed. No fowl allowed within 350 feet of any dwelling owned by another person unless such other person shall have filed with the animal control officer a written consent authorizing the keeping of such fowl within 350 of the dwelling.
Las Vegas, NV. Roosters not allowed. Hens allowed if kept in a coop, but must notify Animal Control first. Chickens can’t be kept in a basement, house or cellar.
NY
Binghamton, NY. In the city, you can not have more than 4 chickens OR rabbits. And can only keep them as long as the noise/smell doesn't bother your neighbors.
Huntington, NY. Residents are now allowed (as of July 2009) to keep up to 8 hens but no roosters. Per Chapter 78 article 3 of the town code. .
Ithaca, NY. The law explicitly prohibits keeping "poultry, chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese or any other fowl" amongst other specific animals, and generally any other animal except domesticated pets.
New Hempstead, NY. The maintenance of 4 or fewer fowl (chickens, ducks, etc.) is permitted. No roosters. All fowl shall be kept in an enclosure area at least 75 feet from any lot line.
New York City, NY. Chickens are considered pets under the Health Code. Unlimited number of hens allowed; no roosters or other types of poultry. Code mentions cleanliness of chicken area must be kept clean.
Oswego, NY. Chickens not allowed. Can only have chickens that were "grandfathered."
Riga / Churchville, NY. Chickens allowed but all housing of livestock has to be 100 ft. off of any lot lines.
Smithtown, NY. The only animal ordinance they appear to have is for horses. No rules on chickens, other than the eggs cannot be sold.
Syracuse, NY. Chickens sometimes allowed. Depends on zoning. No roosters.
OH
Beachwood, OH. Just passed an emergency ordinance prohibiting fowl, ducks and goats, with no grandfathering clauses allowed.
Toledo, OH. Chickens are permitted with a written variance from the city health inspector.
OK
Ponca City, OK. Chickens must be kept 100 ft. from neighbor's houses, so this essentially makes keeping chickens impossible on normal lots.
Stillwater, OK. Chickens may not be kept within 150 feet of any house. In addition, any pen for poultry must enclose a minimum of 900 square feet.
Tulsa, OK. Chickens must be in pens or buildings located at least 50 feet from your property line. Do not exceed 6 adult birds and 14 chicks. You have to put screens on your coop so as to discourage flies.
OR
Albany, OR. Not more than two chickens on any lot less than 7,000 square feet in area. Keep chickens10 feet from adjoining property lines and 20 feet from any public right-of-way.
Beaverton, OR. Except for “household pets,” no person shall keep or maintain livestock or poultry within the city.... http://groups.google.com/group/brightgreenbeaverton
Coos Bay, OR. Chickens appear to be allowed; you have to purchase a one year permit and renew it every year, though.
Corvallis, OR. Unlimited chickens allowed. No roosters. Chickens must be penned.
Eugene, OR. A maximum of 2 hens, no roosters, kept 20 feet from dwellings.
Gresham, OR. Unlimited “livestock” allowed, provided they are kept 100ft. from neighbors, which is possible only on uncommonly large lots.
Hillsboro, OR. It is unlawful for any person to possess or harbor any livestock within the corporate limits of the city. The county offices say say chickens are not allowed but if no one complains then its unlikely any enforcement would happen.
Keizer, OR. Chickens are illegal but they work “on the complaint basis.” If no one complains you can keep them. If they do, you have to remove them.
Lake Oswego, OR. The town Clerk here says there is no limit on the number of chickens. Roosters are not prohibited, but if they crow they might be out of compliance with the noise ordinance.
Lebanon, OR. No fowl of any kind are allowed within Lebanon city limits. However, chickens are dealt with on a complaint-basis.
Milwaukie, OR. Up to 50 chickens, including roosters, except if neighbors complain, then noise violations will apply.
Oregon City, OR. You may keep 5 or fewer hens on a lot of 10,000 square feet if the chicken’s housing is kept 40 feet from the front property line, 20 feet from
all other property lines, and 25 feet from the dwelling. Roosters prohibited.
Portland, OR. Three hens allowed without a permit. No roosters. Permit for more costs $31. Keep 25ft. from residences.
Salem, OR. There have been recent debates in Salem regarding the current law that chickens are illegal here.
Stayton, OR. Unlimited chickens allowed for personal use only, not commercial selling of eggs. No laws concerning roosters, but if neighbors complain, the City will ask you to get rid of them. Chickens must be kept 10 feet from property lines.
Tigard, OR. No poultry or livestock, other than normal household pets, may be housed or in a fenced run within 100 feet of any nearby residence except a dwelling on the same lot
PA
Catawissa, PA. Chickens must be confined, no closer than 10 feet from neighboring properties, kept clean with no odors emanating across property lines.
Lancaster, PA: No livestock or poultry can be kept within city limits
Pittsburgh, PA. "Fowl at large” are not permitted in unenclosed areas, other peoples' property, or public lands. Also, “no more than 5 pets per household" city limit and animal nuisance prohibitions as well.
State College, PA. As of 2008, this town is considering an ordinance that would allow borough residents to raise up to four hens in backyard coops, provided a strict series of health and zoning controls are met. Legal to raise chickens provided they are housed “under sanitary conditions" and that they "shall not become either a public or private nuisance." No mention of numbers restrictions. Keeping chickens in College Township in residential areas is not permitted.
Shaler, PA. You can't keep game cocks. It appears keeping hens is allowed.
SC
Aiken, SC. Chickens must be penned, and the pen kept 40 ft. from neighboring residences.
Columbia, SC. As of November 2009, Columbia, SC considers allowing 4 hens, no roosters, per household. See this article for more info: http://www.thestate.com/local/story/1024203.html
Summerville, SC. It shall be unlawful for any person to permit or allow any chickens, ducks, geese or other poultry of any kind or description to run at large.
TN
Clarksville, TN. It shall be unlawful for any person to keep or allow to be kept cattle, horses, sheep, goats, swine or poultry of any kind in any residential section within the city municipal corporate limits except as allowed by applicable city zoning law.
Nashville, TN. Has an unlimited chicken law assuming “No person shall keep chickens within the metropolitan government area in such a manner that a nuisance is created” and are kept penned, no “fowl at large.”
TX
Arlington, TX. You must have a lot that is larger than a half an acre to lawfully keep hens (no roosters) here. Even so, you may only keep four hens. If you have a lot over 1/2 acre, then you must still keep the chickens 50 ft. away from neighboring houses, and you must keep them penned.
Austin, TX. Up to 10 fowl per household, but keep in enclosure that's 50 ft. away from neighbors. Other soucres say there is currently no limit on the number of chickens you can keep here. The city is considering banning roosters.
Baytown, TX. Chickens allowed, but they have to be 100 ft. from neighbors, and many lots aren’t big enough to meet that requirement.
Dallas TX. The ordinances for this city do not appear to address keeping poultry.
Fort Worth, TX. Can have up to 12 chickens within the city limits on a residentially zoned lot. They have to be in a chicken coop and the coop has to be at least 50 feet away from any house. That includes your own house and any neighbors' houses.
Garland, TX. Limit 2 hens.
Grand Prairie, TX. You have to be able to keep your chickens 150 feet away from any neighboring structures that house people, which is pretty difficult to do on a city or suburb lot.
Houston, TX. Chickens may be kept on a lot which measures at least 65 feet X 125 feet: 30 chickens, turkeys, geese, ducks, peafowl, rabbits or guinea pigs or 40 of any combination of the above.
Irving, TX. According to the Parks & Rec department here, "In recognition of changing demographics, we no longer have restrictions on livestock."
Laredo, TX. If you keep 6 or fewer chickens, set-backs are not restricted. If you keep more than 6 chickens, you must keep the pen 100 ft. from any occupied building, besides your own.
Longview, TX. Ordinance #3141.3, Sec. 13-27: "Regulations relating to keeping of poultry and birds," an unlimited number of chickens may be kept in any structure that has a secure top, sides, and bottom, and provides shelter from rain. This structure must sit 100 feet from any neighboring property.
Mansfield, TX. Your lot must be 20,000 square feet in order to keep chickens.
Murphy, TX. Limit 2 hens.
Richardson, TX. Chickens are allowed, barring offensive noises or smells.
Round Rock, TX. Up to 5 fowl if your chicken pen is 25 ft. away from neighbor's residences. If the pen is 50 ft. away, you can have 10 fowl.
San Antonio, TX. Up to 5 of any kind of fowl, any gender, per household. Must keep in a pen, 20 feet from any other dwelling.
Sachse, TX. Limit 15 small livestock.
St. Paul. TX. The topic of chickens is not covered in the city ordinance.
Waco, TX. Livestock is allowed inside the City of Waco as long as the pen is located at least 200 feet from the nearest neighbor in a straight line at the closest points.
Wylie, TX. Chickens banned.
UT
Brigham City, UT. Definition of domesticated animal includes 'fowls' Section 4:01.16 defines that the pets can be kept in humane enclosure not larger than 50 cubic feet. It also states that 'household pets' will be no more than 6 birds.
Orem City, UT. Limit of poultry/fowl: 20 on a lot under one acre, and must be kept 40 ft. from dwelling on same lot or 85 ft. from neighboring dwelling. Currently you must have at least one acre of property to have any chickens at all, legally.
Salt Lake City, UT. You can keep up to 25 chickens (no reference to roosters) with a permit, and the coop must be placed 50 feet from nearby houses.
VA
Alexandria, VA. It shall be unlawful for any person to keep or allow to be kept within the city, within 200 feet of any residence or dwelling not occupied by such person, any fowl, a provision that essentially precludes chicken keeping.
Fairfax County, VA. Chickens over 2 months are classified as "domestic fowl" and are allowed on any lot of 2 or more acres. Chickens are allowed only on lots of two acres or more, and hen houses cannot be closer than 100 feet from a neighboring property line.
Falls Church, VA. Chicken keeping falls under requirements for stables, which must be 40 feet from a residence and have the written permission of the city manager, said Becky Keenan, the city's animal warden.
Frederick County, VA. Frederick County, Virginia laws only say you must keep fowl fenced.
Henrico County, VA. Poultry permitted if kept 400 feet from adjacent property.
Montgomery County, VA. A chicken coop can be no closer than 100 feet from neighboring structures where people live or work.
Prince George's County, VA. If you live in the following residential zones, you will need a special exception to keep chickens: R-80, R-55, R-35 and R-20. If you live in the rural residential zone R-R, you will need a special exception if your lot is smaller than 20,000 square feet.
Richmond City, VA. No person shall keep, place or maintain fowl on any parcel of real property in the city which contains less than 50,000 square feet in area.
Richmond, VA. Can only keep chickens if your lot is 50,000 square feet or larger.
Fairfax City, VA. Chickens are allowed in residential districts R-1 and R-2. Animals can be kept no closer than 100 feet from a property line.
VT
Burlington, VT. Up to 3 fowl per household.
WA
Battle Ground, WA. No restrictions on poultry or game birds, and roosters are allowed.
Bothell, WA. You may own 3 or less fowl. Must keep coop 20 ft. from your own property line. If your neighbors say it’s okay, you may place chickens closer to your shared property line.
Camas, WA. The city code doesn’t appear to explicitly outlaw chickens, but it just says you can’t keep any animal that becomes a “public nuisance.” And nuisance is defined there as “…annoying noise or odor, causing detriment to the health, safety and welfare of neighboring persons and properties…kept in such manner as to be nauseous, foul or offensive.”
Everett, WA. No roosters. Five hens allowed without a permit. If you want more than five, you must get a facility license permit from Animal Services. This requires inspection of your facilities/property. Chickens must be kept enclosed.
Gig Harbor, WA. No regulations for animals except bees.
La Center, WA. Having a few chickens is neither specifically permitted nor prohibited under La Center current code. Conform to nuisance and health rules.
Lynnwood, WA. An accessory building for the housing of small animals or fowl shall not exceed 36 square feet in floor area when located on a residential lot and neither the building nor the fenced area for roaming shall be closer than 25 feet to a property line.
Mill Creek, WA. If you want to keep chickens, the square footage of your lot must be 7,500 sq. ft. Up to six hens allowed. Roosters illegal. thoroughfare.
Olympia, WA. Up to 3 birds, hens are considered, roosters prohibited.
Seattle, WA. Can have a total of three small animals; more if the lot is large. Municipal Code 23.44.048 says up to 3 domestic fowl may be kept on any lot.
Spokane, WA. Up to three chickens allowed.. Can have up to three animals total.
Tacoma, WA. Livestock allowed in the city
Vancouver, WA. Chickens are allowed, however roosters and peacocks are not.
Woodinville, WA. No restrictions in the code for animals according to the planning department.
WI
Caledonia, WI. A recent fight with city hall here resulted in a no-chickens-allowed ordinance. There are a number of articles on-line about the debate in this city.
Ellsworth, WI. Pierce County has a medical officer do a visual check of your property. A permit of $50 is required. Up to 10 hens allowed. Keeping birds in a chicken tractor would keep you from having to get a building permit.
Fond du Lac, WI. No chickens allowed in this city as they are considered a public nuisance.
Greebay, WI. The law reads: May have 4 birds over 8 inches tall per residence plus a clutch or part of a clutch for 8 weeks.
Madison, WI. Up to four chickens per household. Not allowed to roam free. Keep pen 25 ft. from neighbors. $10 annual permit required. Hens only; no roosters allowed.
Shorewood Hills, WI. It is said that the village Clerk keeps six hens. Noise and smell are regulated, but not the number of chickens.
WY
Casper, WY. Chickens sometimes allowed. Can have chickens in special circumstances, like 4-H.
Laramie, Wyoming. Hen chickens allowed in city for education and personal consumption. 20’ from neighboring residences.
Homewood, AL. A new stronger anti-chicken ordinance passed in March 2008. Any public nuisance that unreasonably annoys human beings, unsanitary conditions, offensive cackle, cruelty, etc is grounds for non-compliance. Unlawful for fowl in the city limits unless they are 300 feet from residences/buildings, and more than 100 feet from road.
Huntsville, AL. Fowl must be kept 150 ft. from neighboring residences, which of course is impossible on your typical city lot.
AR
Fayettville, AR. Just passed a chicken ordinance in 2008. No more than four hens, no roosters, not closer than 25 feet to adjacent dwellings, 4 square feet per bird in a coop and 100 square feet of run required.
Flagstaff, AZ The chicken coop is to be 75 feet away from a residence.
Little Rock, AR. The chickens must be at least 5 feet from the owner's residence and at least 25 feet away from any other residence. Their housing must have three square feet of floor space per chicken over 4 months of age. There appears to be a four-hen limit.
Mobile, AL. Unlimited chickens allowed. No breeding, no roosters.
AZ
Gilbert, AZ. On each lot up to 12,000 square feet, any combination of up to 25 fowl and pet rodents are permitted.
CA
Albany, CA. Allows residents to keep up to 6 hens (no roosters) in their backyard with a permit.
American Canyon, CA. Must keep your chicken coop in the back yard, and 50 ft. away from other houses or dwellings where people reside.
Anaheim, CA. Can keep 3 chickens on a 5,000 sq.ft. lot, 6 chickens on a 10,000 sq.ft. lot.
Bakersfield, CA. Municipal code 6.08.010: Any chickens must be "kept securely enclosed in a yard or pen at all times."
Berkely, CA. Chickens must be kept penned and 30 ft. away from any bedrooms.
Campbell, CA. Not more than six animals in all, including hares, rabbits, guinea pigs, feline, bovine, sheep, goat, chickens, turkeys, geese, ducks, doves, pigeons, game birds, or other fowl or any combination thereof.
Davis, CA. A total of not more than six chicken hens and you have to keep them penned no less than 40 ft. from neighboring houses.
Downey, CA. Up to five chickens allowed per lot.
El Cajon, CA. See: http://qcode.us/codes/elcajon/view.php?topic=6-6_04&frames=on. Allows up to 24 adult poultry on lots over 20,000 sq ft in residential zones.
Folsom, CA. Not more than any combination of two chickens, ducks, pigeons and rabbits shall be kept within any zoning district of the city other than agricultural or agricultural combining districts; and said animals shall be kept or maintained at least twenty feet from any property line.
Imperial Beach, CA. The municipal code says no, but a feed store estimates around 500 chickens are kept as pets.
Irvine, CA. Two chickens max. allowed, kept in a sanitary, odor free enclosure. No roosters are allowed.
Lakewood, CA. It appears Lakewood says residents can have up to 5 female fowl.
La Puente, CA. Up to 20 chickens allowed for each ten thousand sq. feet of lot area in residential zones.
Lafayette, CA. Residents can keep approximately 4 chickens.
Long Beach CA. The law is 1 chicken with a 20 feet setback restriction. Twenty chickens are allowed with a 50 feet setback restriction from single and two-family dwellings, and a 100 feet setback restriction from hotels or multiple (3+) family dwellings. This is virtually impossible in a city like Long Beach.
Los Angeles, CA. Number of chickens you can keep is unlimited. Chickens may not be within 20 feet of owner's residence, and must be at least 35 feet from any other dwelling.
Los Altos, CA. 1 hen per 1,000 square feet of lot space. No restrictions on coop location. No roosters.
Mountain View, CA. Up to 4 hens without a permit. Keep 25 ft. from residences. Within 25 ft. is o.k. with written consent from residences. No roosters.
Oakland, CA. Keep chicken enclosed, & 20 ft. from any dwelling, church or school.
Petaluma, CA. Up to twenty animals of mixed combination. Chickens must be kept five feet from a neighbor’s fence or property line, and they must be kept 20 ft. from neighboring dwellings.
Poway, CA. If your property is at least a 6,000 sq.ft. lot, you can keep up to six hens. Must keep chickens 35 feet from neighbors. Don’t have your chicken house in any of the set-backs.
Redwood City, CA. Maximum of 3 chickens permitted; roosters were recently outlawed.
Roseville, CA. Maximum 10 chickens kept 20 ft. from any property line &/or building. They don't delineate hens or roosters.
Santa Rosa, CA. Livestock is not permitted here, unless your area is zoned “rural.” May have 25 chickens per 20,000 square feet. No chickens in residential areas zoned R1, R2 or PRC. People keep chickens in this town; just that it is technically illegal to do so.
Sacramento, CA. Except for a few areas specifically spelled out in code, keeping chickens is not allowed in Sacramento.
Sacramento County, CA. As long as your yard is 10,000 square feet or more, you can keep chickens.
San Carlos, CA. Can keep a total number of four (4) poultry.
San Jose, CA. 1-4 chickens must be kept 15 feet from neighboring structures. 4-6 chickens must be kept 20 feet away. A permit is required if you keep more than 6 chickens. In any area zoned ‘residential,’ only hens are permitted; no roosters.
San Diego, CA. Currently undergoing debates in the city council, trying to get chickens to be legal in this city.
San Francisco, CA. Up to four chickens allowed. Up to four small animals total. Keep 20 feet from doors or windows in a coop or enclosure of approved type.
San Leandro, CA. No livestock of any kind shall be keep within the
city limits. But people are currently and actively working on a civic project to get the law reworded to allow chickens and bee-keeping, so hop on board with them.
San Mateo, CA. Keeping chickens requires a permit here. Up to 10 hens per household. Chickens must be kept in an appropriate pen/coop.
Temple City, CA. Basically it allows two hens per property, but no roosters.
Vallejo, CA. You are allowed to keep up to 25 chickens if they are kept 15 ft. from neighboring dwellings. Roosters are allowed but subject to noise nuisance violations.
Woodland, CA. It is OK to keep up to 6 hens provided they are kept over 40 ft. from neighboring residences.
CO
Arvada, CO. No person or household shall own or have custody of more than two female chickens or turkeys.
Colorado Springs, CO. A property may have a maximum of 10 fowl (chickens, ducks, etc.) requiring at least four square feet of coop area and adequate outdoor space. No roosters permitted within the city limits.
Denver, CO. Chicken permit must be purchased from the city for $50 & you must show that the enclosure will be clean & pest free. $50 is the application fee. There is an additional $100 license fee, followed by an annual fee of $70 to own chickens. You also have to put two signs in your front yard for one month allowing neighbors to object
Northglenn, CO. Not allowed unless property is zoned for agriculture.
Thornton, CO. Not zoned for fowl.
Westminster, CO. Not allowed unless property is zoned for agriculture.
D.C.
Washington D.C. Section 902 of the Animal Control Code requires hens to be 50 ft. from any residence. Citizens are currently working to eliminate the 50 ft. rule, and to modify the requirement that you have to get written consent from all your neighbors before you keep chickens. Currently, chickens are neither legal nor expressly illegal in D.C.
DE
New Castle County, DE. Chickens are not allowed unless your parcel of land is over one acre.
FL
Boca Raton, FL. It shall be unlawful to keep, harbor or maintain within the city limits any horses, mules, sheep, cattle, hogs, goats, geese, turkeys, chickens or other livestock or fowl.
Boynton Beach, FL. Says it is against the law "to keep, maintain or pasture horses, cattle, mules, goats, sheep, swine, fowl, poultry, or other livestock within the city."
Levy County, FL. 10 is the max. number poultry and fowl it appears you can keep in this city.
Miami, FL. May have up to 15 hens, no roosters. But must be contained at least 100 feet from neighboring structures. So tenants and homeowners that reside in a residential zoning district cannot raise or breed chickens. Droppings shall not be used for fertilizer. All poultry or fowl droppings shall be removed from the pens at least twice weekly, wrapped in paper and placed in covered garbage cans for removal.
Sanford, FL. A recent law (2007) says that this city does not allow chickens and you can only have 3 dogs and 3 cats. No potbelly pigs, goats, etc. Other sources regarding the county says that chickens are permitted in the county, but you must keep chickens penned 25 ft. away from your own house and 150 ft. away from neighbors, which would be possible on very large lots.
GA
Lawrenceville, GA. No chickens allowed. However, apparently this law is only enforced if someone complains.
Alpharetta, GA. There is a 75 chicken maximum.
Atlanta, GA. Chickens are allowed here.
IA
Clive, IA. No more than 12 chickens on lots less than 1.5 acres. Must be 150 feet from homes and 50 feet from property line.
Davenport, IA. Chickens not allowed, unless property is zoned as agricultural.
Des Moines, IA. Lots smaller than 1 acre, up to 30 birds; lots 1 acre or larger, up to 50 birds. Not allowed in the front yard, and must be at least 25' from neighbors.
Johnston, IA. "No...chickens shall be allowed to run at large within the corporate limits of the city..."
Sioux City, IA. Permit required. No roosters over 4 months old. No more than 50 birds total. Must be at least 25' from the home and at least 150' from neighboring homes. Urbandale, IA. Chickens must be kept at least 150 feet from any dwelling.
West Des Moines, IA. Chickens may not "run at large."
Windsor Heights, IA. No more than 2 chickens allowed; must be kept in a coop at all times. Must be at least 25' from neighboring residences, and may not be in front yard.
Waukee, IA. No fowl shall be kept within the city limits of the City, except in A-1 District or A-2 Annexation District on tracts of one (1) or more acres.
ID
Nampa, ID. Keep 50 ft. from neighbors. Pay $50 for a permit. Only 3 chickens allowed and no roosters.
Boise, ID. Up to three "pet" hens allowed. No roosters.
IL
Chicago, IL. Can have unlimited number of chickens if use is only for pets or eggs; cannot have if use is to slaughter. Must be penned.
Evanston, IL. Illegal to keep chickens here, but folks are currently working to get this law changed, so go to council meetings here.
Wheaton, IL. Sec. 14-99. Keeping livestock within city: “It shall be unlawful to keep any livestock or similar animals anywhere in
the city.”
IN
Evansville, IN. No more than 6 chickens allowed, coop must be at least 50 feet from any neighbor dwelling, and you have to pay a $5 license per premise annually.
Lafayette, IN. Livestock of any kind is prohibited in this city.
KS
Lawrence, KS. Put a law on the books April 2, 2009 that says a homeowner can have up to 20 chickens, no roosters.
Topeka, KS. Unlimited chickens allowed. Chickens must be penned 50 feet from any neighbor’s house.
Wichita, KS. Will allow up to 5 chickens (no roosters or guineas) without any fees.
KY
Louisville, KY. If your lot is less than a half of an acre, then you can only have five hens, or “non-crowing” poultry. I.e., if you have non-crowing poultry, you can have up to five birds. Must be penned and not allowed to roam on the owner’s land. You can have up to 1 crowing and 5 non-crowing poultry on less than a half-acre tract, but must have at least a half-acre to have more than that.
LA
Baton Rouge, LA. The keeping of more than three chickens within a recognized residential subdivision on a lot of less than one acre is prohibited. If you live on less than one acre, your max. number of hens allowed is three.
New Orleans, LA. Sale or donation of chicks younger than 4 weeks of age is prohibited except in quantities of 12 to an individual. Giving fowl away as prize or advertising device is also prohibited. Chickens are to be treated humanely and kept in clean, sturdy housing.
MA
Belmont, MA. Allows up to 5 hens in an inspected coop. Contact the animal control division or public health department and they will inspect the coop for adequate size and placement.
Boston, MA. All residential zones in Boston forbid "auxilliary keeping of animals", which includes poultry and other livestock.
Brockton, MA. Hens are allowed, but roosters are not.
Cambridge, MA. Nowhere are chickens mentioned in the city codes. The city itself comments that as long as the chickens are "pets", there is nothing to enforce or not enforce.
Lynn, MA. You have to go to all your neighbors and have them sign a petition stating that they would not have any problems with you having the hens. If you have complaints from neighbors about your chickens, you are subject to a fine of $1000.00 per day.
Northampton, MA. A maximum of three hens allowed; no roosters.
Springfield, MA. Keeping chickens is technically illegal in this city.
Somerset, MA. The entire town is zoned agricultural. No limits on the amount of chickens allowed. You are asked to submit a plan for your management of manure.
Wenham, MA. Poultry allowed, but the town may restrict your operation if it causes a public nuisance (noise) or public health issues (disease).
Westfield, MA. Chickens not allowed. No "livestock." Maximum of five cats and dogs.
Westwood, MA. Up to 10 fowl allowed on lots less than 40,000 sq. feet, Coop must be 15 feet from property lines. Permit application must include site plan. $10 annual permit fee and BOH inspection prior to issuance of the permit. Cockerels must be kept 1,000 feet from property lines.
MD
Baltimore County, MD. Must have 1 acre of land to have poultry.
Baltimore City, MD. Up to four chickens can be kept (no roosters) as long as they are confined to a moveable pen that is kept 25 feet away from all residences.
Baltimore City, MD. You can have up to for hens, no roosters, must have a permit
Rockville, MD. Chickens are not allowed; neither are ducks, goats, or anything
primarily kept on a farm.
ME
Camden, ME. As of July 2009, this town now allows up to 9 hens or other small animals like rabbits even if your lot is smaller than 2.5 acres.
Falmouth, ME. An unspecified number of hens are allowed.
Guilford, ME. "There shall be no poultry or livestock in the Town of Guilford within the municipal Water or Sewer Districts, with the exception that if the lot is 5 acres or more the Planning Board will have the authority to grant a variance.” Basically, no poultry or livestock within the Water or Sewer Districts.
Portland, ME. Chickens not legal, but currently voting to hopefully pass an ordinance allowing 6 hens.
South Portland, ME. Voted in 2007 to allow 6 hens per household, with restrictions (see full ordinance at www.SoPoChickens.org)
MI
Ann Arbor, MI. An ordinance was approved on June 2, 2008. Up to 4 hens are now allowed, and you must pay $20 for a permit.
Benton Harbor, MI. No person shall keep or maintain more than five animals or fowls or a combination of more than five animals and fowls.
Detroit, MI. Not allowed. No "farm animals."
East Lansing, MI. Recently approved the keeping of city chickens. A permit may be required.
East Grand Rapids, MI. No chickens may be kept on the same lot or premises of any dwelling without obtaining prior written approval from the Director of City Services.
Flint, MI. Chickens not allowed yet. Some citizens are working to change ordinance.
Lansing, MI. Allows up to 5 backyard hens, no roosters. The Ingham County Board of Commissioners carved out a backyard hen exemption to its own ordinance prohibiting livestock in residential areas. Chickens must be contained and unless your neighbors give you written consent you can't have your coop within 10 feet of the property line nor with 40 feet of any residential structure on an adjacent property.
North Branch, MI. No one may house chickens unless you are “a farm.”
Traverse City, MI. Chickens are now legal in Traverse City.
MN
Blaine, MN. Domestic farm animals, including cattle, horses, sheep, goats and chickens are only permitted in Agricultural (AG) and Farm Residential (FR) zoning districts.
Edina, MN. Chickens not allowed.
Elk River, MN. Elk River defines an ‘animal’ as a dog, cat, or other animal which is harbored, fed, or kept by any person. No dog, cat, or other animal shall be allowed by its owner to run at large.
Minneapolis, MN. Unlimited. Applicant needs consent from 80 percent of neighbors within 100 feet of real estate. Chickens must be penned.
Plymouth, MN. The City of Plymouth does not allow chickens in residential zoning districts.
Rosemount, MN. You can have up to 3 hens, no roosters. You must get written permission from all the neighbors whose yards border yours. You must keep them in a coop between 12 and 24 inches above ground and the legs of the coop must be sunk in cement footers. And there is a $25 annual fee to keep chickens.
St. Paul, MN. Can have one chicken without a permit, but more than one you have to get permission from 75% of neighbors 150 ft. around, or proof you have no neighbors for 150 feet. No roosters, and no selling eggs without a permit.
St. Francis, MN. No fowl may be kept on a parcel of real estate smaller in area than five acres, except for the keeping of pigeons and doves.
MT
Missoula, MT. Now allows urban chickens with a $15 a year permit.
MO
Kansas City, MO. It is o.k. to have a chicken coop within city limits as long as it is 100 feet away from any other building (besides your own) where people
live. Also, you have to keep the manure from becoming a nuisance, and keep the coop in good condition. You are limited to 15 chickens.
Kirksville, MO. Maximum of five hens are allowed. Must be kept in sanitary conditions, and may not present a public nuisance. Cockfighting is prohibited.
St. Louis, MO. You can keep up to four chickens without a permit. If you want to keep more, you must file a permit (cost is $40) with the Health Commissioner.
NC
Asheville, NC. Must have permit, must keep chickens 100ft. from neighboring households, chickens must be penned, the enclosure inspected by the City, and droppings must be "collected and sealed in a container."
Black Mountain, NC. There are no laws specifically prohibiting chickens, but do not let your chickens smell, keep roosters, wander at large, or otherwise bother neighbors.
Chapel Hill, NC. 20 chickens allowed.
Durham, NC. Up to 10 female chickens allowed in city backyards. Birds can be no closer than 15 ft. from your property line and you must get permits which regulate your coop location and construction.
Raleigh, NC. No limit on number of chickens kept.
Woodfin, NC. There are no restrictions on keeping chickens if you own at least one acre.
ND
Grand Forks, ND. You can keep chickens, provided they are kept 75 feet from any neighboring dwelling. If your yard is this big, your chickens must never become a “public nuisance.”
Minot, ND. No person shall keep fowl of any kind or pigeons within the city, except in those commercial zones where such animals are kept for sale.
NE
Lincoln, NE. Can have two chickens without a permit.
Omaha, NE. May have chickens in city limits as long as they are hens, no roosters, for egg production. Must have enclosure, subject to The Humane Society inspection, to apply for permit.
NH
Hampstead, NH. Zoning regulations have no mention of chickens. The Town Hall says: The keeping of animals shall not create a health or safety issue, and fences shall be erected that are adequate to prevent animals from escaping.
NJ
Red Bank, NJ. No poultry or fowl for any purpose may be kept inside of or within 40 feet of any house, dwelling or store. No more than 12 of any fowl or poultry can be kept without a permit. Any fowl or poultry must be kept and maintained in a pen, coop, yard or enclosure.
NM
Albuquerque, NM. Zoning allows the raising of unlimited poultry if penned at least 20 feet from neighboring dwellings.
Santa Fe, NM. Unlimited chickens allowed.
NV
Henderson, NV. No roosters allowed. No fowl allowed within 350 feet of any dwelling owned by another person unless such other person shall have filed with the animal control officer a written consent authorizing the keeping of such fowl within 350 of the dwelling.
Las Vegas, NV. Roosters not allowed. Hens allowed if kept in a coop, but must notify Animal Control first. Chickens can’t be kept in a basement, house or cellar.
NY
Huntington, NY. Residents are now allowed (as of July 2009) to keep up to 8 hens but no roosters. Per Chapter 78 article 3 of the town code. .
Ithaca, NY. The law explicitly prohibits keeping "poultry, chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese or any other fowl" amongst other specific animals, and generally any other animal except domesticated pets.
New Hempstead, NY. The maintenance of 4 or fewer fowl (chickens, ducks, etc.) is permitted. No roosters. All fowl shall be kept in an enclosure area at least 75 feet from any lot line.
New York City, NY. Chickens are considered pets under the Health Code. Unlimited number of hens allowed; no roosters or other types of poultry. Code mentions cleanliness of chicken area must be kept clean.
Oswego, NY. Chickens not allowed. Can only have chickens that were "grandfathered."
Riga / Churchville, NY. Chickens allowed but all housing of livestock has to be 100 ft. off of any lot lines.
Smithtown, NY. The only animal ordinance they appear to have is for horses. No rules on chickens, other than the eggs cannot be sold.
Syracuse, NY. Chickens sometimes allowed. Depends on zoning. No roosters.
OH
Beachwood, OH. Just passed an emergency ordinance prohibiting fowl, ducks and goats, with no grandfathering clauses allowed.
Toledo, OH. Chickens are permitted with a written variance from the city health inspector.
OK
Ponca City, OK. Chickens must be kept 100 ft. from neighbor's houses, so this essentially makes keeping chickens impossible on normal lots.
Stillwater, OK. Chickens may not be kept within 150 feet of any house. In addition, any pen for poultry must enclose a minimum of 900 square feet.
Tulsa, OK. Chickens must be in pens or buildings located at least 50 feet from your property line. Do not exceed 6 adult birds and 14 chicks. You have to put screens on your coop so as to discourage flies.
OR
Albany, OR. Not more than two chickens on any lot less than 7,000 square feet in area. Keep chickens10 feet from adjoining property lines and 20 feet from any public right-of-way.
Beaverton, OR. Except for “household pets,” no person shall keep or maintain livestock or poultry within the city.... http://groups.google.com/group/brightgreenbeaverton
Coos Bay, OR. Chickens appear to be allowed; you have to purchase a one year permit and renew it every year, though.
Corvallis, OR. Unlimited chickens allowed. No roosters. Chickens must be penned.
Eugene, OR. A maximum of 2 hens, no roosters, kept 20 feet from dwellings.
Gresham, OR. Unlimited “livestock” allowed, provided they are kept 100ft. from neighbors, which is possible only on uncommonly large lots.
Hillsboro, OR. It is unlawful for any person to possess or harbor any livestock within the corporate limits of the city. The county offices say say chickens are not allowed but if no one complains then its unlikely any enforcement would happen.
Keizer, OR. Chickens are illegal but they work “on the complaint basis.” If no one complains you can keep them. If they do, you have to remove them.
Lake Oswego, OR. The town Clerk here says there is no limit on the number of chickens. Roosters are not prohibited, but if they crow they might be out of compliance with the noise ordinance.
Lebanon, OR. No fowl of any kind are allowed within Lebanon city limits. However, chickens are dealt with on a complaint-basis.
Milwaukie, OR. Up to 50 chickens, including roosters, except if neighbors complain, then noise violations will apply.
Oregon City, OR. You may keep 5 or fewer hens on a lot of 10,000 square feet if the chicken’s housing is kept 40 feet from the front property line, 20 feet from
all other property lines, and 25 feet from the dwelling. Roosters prohibited.
Portland, OR. Three hens allowed without a permit. No roosters. Permit for more costs $31. Keep 25ft. from residences.
Salem, OR. There have been recent debates in Salem regarding the current law that chickens are illegal here.
Stayton, OR. Unlimited chickens allowed for personal use only, not commercial selling of eggs. No laws concerning roosters, but if neighbors complain, the City will ask you to get rid of them. Chickens must be kept 10 feet from property lines.
Tigard, OR. No poultry or livestock, other than normal household pets, may be housed or in a fenced run within 100 feet of any nearby residence except a dwelling on the same lot
Catawissa, PA. Chickens must be confined, no closer than 10 feet from neighboring properties, kept clean with no odors emanating across property lines.
Lancaster, PA: No livestock or poultry can be kept within city limits
Pittsburgh, PA. "Fowl at large” are not permitted in unenclosed areas, other peoples' property, or public lands. Also, “no more than 5 pets per household" city limit and animal nuisance prohibitions as well.
State College, PA. As of 2008, this town is considering an ordinance that would allow borough residents to raise up to four hens in backyard coops, provided a strict series of health and zoning controls are met. Legal to raise chickens provided they are housed “under sanitary conditions" and that they "shall not become either a public or private nuisance." No mention of numbers restrictions. Keeping chickens in College Township in residential areas is not permitted.
Shaler, PA. You can't keep game cocks. It appears keeping hens is allowed.
SC
Aiken, SC. Chickens must be penned, and the pen kept 40 ft. from neighboring residences.
Columbia, SC. As of November 2009, Columbia, SC considers allowing 4 hens, no roosters, per household. See this article for more info: http://www.thestate.com/local/story/1024203.html
Summerville, SC. It shall be unlawful for any person to permit or allow any chickens, ducks, geese or other poultry of any kind or description to run at large.
TN
Clarksville, TN. It shall be unlawful for any person to keep or allow to be kept cattle, horses, sheep, goats, swine or poultry of any kind in any residential section within the city municipal corporate limits except as allowed by applicable city zoning law.
Nashville, TN. Has an unlimited chicken law assuming “No person shall keep chickens within the metropolitan government area in such a manner that a nuisance is created” and are kept penned, no “fowl at large.”
TX
Austin, TX. Up to 10 fowl per household, but keep in enclosure that's 50 ft. away from neighbors. Other soucres say there is currently no limit on the number of chickens you can keep here. The city is considering banning roosters.
Baytown, TX. Chickens allowed, but they have to be 100 ft. from neighbors, and many lots aren’t big enough to meet that requirement.
Dallas TX. The ordinances for this city do not appear to address keeping poultry.
Fort Worth, TX. Can have up to 12 chickens within the city limits on a residentially zoned lot. They have to be in a chicken coop and the coop has to be at least 50 feet away from any house. That includes your own house and any neighbors' houses.
Garland, TX. Limit 2 hens.
Grand Prairie, TX. You have to be able to keep your chickens 150 feet away from any neighboring structures that house people, which is pretty difficult to do on a city or suburb lot.
Houston, TX. Chickens may be kept on a lot which measures at least 65 feet X 125 feet: 30 chickens, turkeys, geese, ducks, peafowl, rabbits or guinea pigs or 40 of any combination of the above.
Irving, TX. According to the Parks & Rec department here, "In recognition of changing demographics, we no longer have restrictions on livestock."
Laredo, TX. If you keep 6 or fewer chickens, set-backs are not restricted. If you keep more than 6 chickens, you must keep the pen 100 ft. from any occupied building, besides your own.
Longview, TX. Ordinance #3141.3, Sec. 13-27: "Regulations relating to keeping of poultry and birds," an unlimited number of chickens may be kept in any structure that has a secure top, sides, and bottom, and provides shelter from rain. This structure must sit 100 feet from any neighboring property.
Mansfield, TX. Your lot must be 20,000 square feet in order to keep chickens.
Murphy, TX. Limit 2 hens.
Richardson, TX. Chickens are allowed, barring offensive noises or smells.
Round Rock, TX. Up to 5 fowl if your chicken pen is 25 ft. away from neighbor's residences. If the pen is 50 ft. away, you can have 10 fowl.
San Antonio, TX. Up to 5 of any kind of fowl, any gender, per household. Must keep in a pen, 20 feet from any other dwelling.
Sachse, TX. Limit 15 small livestock.
St. Paul. TX. The topic of chickens is not covered in the city ordinance.
Waco, TX. Livestock is allowed inside the City of Waco as long as the pen is located at least 200 feet from the nearest neighbor in a straight line at the closest points.
Wylie, TX. Chickens banned.
UT
Brigham City, UT. Definition of domesticated animal includes 'fowls' Section 4:01.16 defines that the pets can be kept in humane enclosure not larger than 50 cubic feet. It also states that 'household pets' will be no more than 6 birds.
Orem City, UT. Limit of poultry/fowl: 20 on a lot under one acre, and must be kept 40 ft. from dwelling on same lot or 85 ft. from neighboring dwelling. Currently you must have at least one acre of property to have any chickens at all, legally.
Salt Lake City, UT. You can keep up to 25 chickens (no reference to roosters) with a permit, and the coop must be placed 50 feet from nearby houses.
VA
Alexandria, VA. It shall be unlawful for any person to keep or allow to be kept within the city, within 200 feet of any residence or dwelling not occupied by such person, any fowl, a provision that essentially precludes chicken keeping.
Fairfax County, VA. Chickens over 2 months are classified as "domestic fowl" and are allowed on any lot of 2 or more acres. Chickens are allowed only on lots of two acres or more, and hen houses cannot be closer than 100 feet from a neighboring property line.
Falls Church, VA. Chicken keeping falls under requirements for stables, which must be 40 feet from a residence and have the written permission of the city manager, said Becky Keenan, the city's animal warden.
Frederick County, VA. Frederick County, Virginia laws only say you must keep fowl fenced.
Henrico County, VA. Poultry permitted if kept 400 feet from adjacent property.
Montgomery County, VA. A chicken coop can be no closer than 100 feet from neighboring structures where people live or work.
Prince George's County, VA. If you live in the following residential zones, you will need a special exception to keep chickens: R-80, R-55, R-35 and R-20. If you live in the rural residential zone R-R, you will need a special exception if your lot is smaller than 20,000 square feet.
Richmond City, VA. No person shall keep, place or maintain fowl on any parcel of real property in the city which contains less than 50,000 square feet in area.
Richmond, VA. Can only keep chickens if your lot is 50,000 square feet or larger.
Fairfax City, VA. Chickens are allowed in residential districts R-1 and R-2. Animals can be kept no closer than 100 feet from a property line.
VT
Burlington, VT. Up to 3 fowl per household.
WA
Battle Ground, WA. No restrictions on poultry or game birds, and roosters are allowed.
Bothell, WA. You may own 3 or less fowl. Must keep coop 20 ft. from your own property line. If your neighbors say it’s okay, you may place chickens closer to your shared property line.
Camas, WA. The city code doesn’t appear to explicitly outlaw chickens, but it just says you can’t keep any animal that becomes a “public nuisance.” And nuisance is defined there as “…annoying noise or odor, causing detriment to the health, safety and welfare of neighboring persons and properties…kept in such manner as to be nauseous, foul or offensive.”
Everett, WA. No roosters. Five hens allowed without a permit. If you want more than five, you must get a facility license permit from Animal Services. This requires inspection of your facilities/property. Chickens must be kept enclosed.
Gig Harbor, WA. No regulations for animals except bees.
La Center, WA. Having a few chickens is neither specifically permitted nor prohibited under La Center current code. Conform to nuisance and health rules.
Lynnwood, WA. An accessory building for the housing of small animals or fowl shall not exceed 36 square feet in floor area when located on a residential lot and neither the building nor the fenced area for roaming shall be closer than 25 feet to a property line.
Mill Creek, WA. If you want to keep chickens, the square footage of your lot must be 7,500 sq. ft. Up to six hens allowed. Roosters illegal. thoroughfare.
Olympia, WA. Up to 3 birds, hens are considered, roosters prohibited.
Seattle, WA. Can have a total of three small animals; more if the lot is large. Municipal Code 23.44.048 says up to 3 domestic fowl may be kept on any lot.
Spokane, WA. Up to three chickens allowed.. Can have up to three animals total.
Tacoma, WA. Livestock allowed in the city
Vancouver, WA. Chickens are allowed, however roosters and peacocks are not.
Woodinville, WA. No restrictions in the code for animals according to the planning department.
WI
Ellsworth, WI. Pierce County has a medical officer do a visual check of your property. A permit of $50 is required. Up to 10 hens allowed. Keeping birds in a chicken tractor would keep you from having to get a building permit.
Fond du Lac, WI. No chickens allowed in this city as they are considered a public nuisance.
Greebay, WI. The law reads: May have 4 birds over 8 inches tall per residence plus a clutch or part of a clutch for 8 weeks.
Madison, WI. Up to four chickens per household. Not allowed to roam free. Keep pen 25 ft. from neighbors. $10 annual permit required. Hens only; no roosters allowed.
Shorewood Hills, WI. It is said that the village Clerk keeps six hens. Noise and smell are regulated, but not the number of chickens.
WY
Casper, WY. Chickens sometimes allowed. Can have chickens in special circumstances, like 4-H.
Laramie, Wyoming. Hen chickens allowed in city for education and personal consumption. 20’ from neighboring residences.
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