So... can one keep a chicken or two in their backward?

[SaltyNuts]

Never knew there was this cool feed store about 10 min from my house, less probably. Anyways, I checked it out, and look at this, baby chickens for $3.50! Sounds like a freaking bargain. Anyways, if I get one, first question is, can I keep it in my back yard? I live in a pretty hoity-toity fancy neighborhood, might there be restrictions on that sort of thing? Secondly, if I do, might it help out my garden by leaving chicken droppings that will turn into fertilizer over time? Or might it hurt because it might eat certain plants? They are sooooooo cute!!!


Thanks!!!

 

[Steltek]

Before you get dazzled by the cuteness, you probably need to check with your homeowners association (if you live in a high end area, I'm sure there is one) to ensure there are no limits on animal ownership in the HOA. The store probably won't let you return it after you buy it.

BTW, cute chicks grow up into not so cute chickens. And, be aware that depending upon the breed they can fly (most breeds, not very far, fast, or high, but maybe high enough to get out of your garden and into the neighbor's yards or onto their balconies, into their trees, or on their roofs) unless you clip their wings. They also, again depending upon the breed, may love to dig holes. And, finally, if you end up with a hen it will almost certainly lay an egg for you to collect pretty much daily (even if you don't have a rooster) for 1-3 years depending upon breed.

 

[SaltyNuts]

Before you get dazzled by the cuteness, you probably need to check with your homeowners association (if you live in a high end area, I'm sure there is one) to ensure there are no limits on animal ownership in the HOA. The store probably won't let you return it after you buy it.

BTW, cute chicks grow up into not so cute chickens. And, be aware that depending upon the breed they can fly (most breeds, not very far, fast, or high, but maybe high enough to get out of your garden and into the neighbor's yards) unless you clip their wings. They also, again depending upon the breed, may love to dig holes. And, finally, if you end up with a hen it will almost certainly lay an egg for you to collect pretty much daily (even if you don't have a rooster) for 1-3 years depending upon breed.

Darn, lots to think about Steltek! Question - how does a hen lay an egg if there is no rooster around? They can lay eggs unilaterally, without rooster sperm? Freaking awesome if so. I thought they could only so sexual reproduction, like humans.

 

[Steltek]

Darn, lots to think about Steltek! Question - how does a hen lay an egg if there is no rooster around? They can lay eggs unilaterally, without rooster sperm? Freaking awesome if so. I thought they could only so sexual reproduction, like humans.

Hens produce eggs as a part of their reproductive cycle, just like female humans do, whether a male is involved or not. If you have a rooster, the laid eggs have the potential of hatching into chicks. Otherwise, the hen lays her unfertilized eggs every 24-27 hours (depending upon breed, equating to mostly on a daily basis, though they may miss a day or two a week).

By the way, they also tend to crap a lot and they aren't particular about where they do it. Depending upon the breed, you'll usually end up with 40 to 50 pounds of chicken feces per chicken per year.

In short, if you don't tell your neighbors you have it, they'll probably figure it out fairly quickly from the smell (it might not be bad for just one, but if you have more than one all bets are off).

In case you are wondering, I don't raise chickens. But, about 10 years ago, there was a craze among women about having chicken coops. One of my ex co-workers did it. I still laugh thinking about some of the stories she used to tell about all the "crazy stuff nobody ever told me about chickens". The egg thing was something she found out the hard way - her first batch of chicks got sick and died, so she went overboard on the second batch. They all ended up being hens (except one rooster) - they started laying and she didn't have enough room in her refrigerator for all the eggs she had after a few weeks.

Sadly, she was put out of her chicken misery by a wild mink (think of Hannibal Lecter in the form of a serial killer cat version of a weiner dog) that got into her coop and assassinated all of her chickens...

 

[BoomerD]

Most "populated" areas have restrictions on "barnyard animals." I live in a small rural town of about 6,000...and chickens are banned here.

 

[herm0016]

We have chickens and love them. Fresh eggs are the best. Better make sure its OK in your hood though.

 

[fralexandr]

USDA APHIS | Virulent Newcastle Disease (vND)

www.aphis.usda.gov

some places restrict movement of chickens.

 

[SaltyNuts]

Hens produce eggs as a part of their reproductive cycle, just like female humans do, whether a male is involved or not. If you have a rooster, the laid eggs have the potential of hatching into chicks. Otherwise, the hen lays her unfertilized eggs every 24-27 hours (depending upon breed, equating to mostly on a daily basis, though they may miss a day or two a week).

By the way, they also tend to crap a lot and they aren't particular about where they do it. Depending upon the breed, you'll usually end up with 40 to 50 pounds of chicken feces per chicken per year.

In short, if you don't tell your neighbors you have it, they'll probably figure it out fairly quickly from the smell (it might not be bad for just one, but if you have more than one all bets are off).

In case you are wondering, I don't raise chickens. But, about 10 years ago, there was a craze among women about having chicken coops. One of my ex co-workers did it. I still laugh thinking about some of the stories she used to tell about all the "crazy stuff nobody ever told me about chickens". The egg thing was something she found out the hard way - her first batch of chicks got sick and died, so she went overboard on the second batch. They all ended up being hens (except one rooster) - they started laying and she didn't have enough room in her refrigerator for all the eggs she had after a few weeks.

Sadly, she was put out of her chicken misery by a wild mink (think of Hannibal Lecter in the form of a serial killer cat version of a weiner dog) that got into her coop and assassinated all of her chickens...

Thanks Steltek! Definitely going to have to look into homeowner restrictions and what not, I'd bet big bucks its prohibited. But I'm curious - these eggs that hens lay without a rooster - are they edible? Like the eggs you get at the store? Pretty cool if so!!! Thanks!

 

[fralexandr]

yes, eggs from the store are typically unfertilized.

 

[bigi]

Remember that chicken crap is one of the best natural fertilizers.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Legally, you need to be zoned either RA or RR.

 

[fralexandr]

Legally, you need to be zoned either RA or RR.

While sort of true, it's more based on what city you live in. Some cities explicitly allow them.

Chicken in the City: Is Yours Up to Code?

If you're looking into backyard chickens, make sure you have enough space.

www.kcet.org

 

[Vic]

There is a lot of info online about raising backyard chickens. In fact, backyardchickens.com is a pretty good one, but there's lots more.
First, check with your local ordinances to see what is or is not allowed. Second, at least one of your chickens will die a horrible death. That's just how it is. Usually from predation, especially if you don't keep them in a secure enclosure at night, but disease too. And finally, while the fresh eggs are way better than anything you'll ever get at the grocery store, and you'll get a lot of them (200-300/year per chicken, depending on breed and age), your chickens will be pets first, and a source of eggs second. If you're not interested in the everyday responsibilities of keeping a new pet, don't bother.

 

[Steltek]

Thanks Steltek! Definitely going to have to look into homeowner restrictions and what not, I'd bet big bucks its prohibited. But I'm curious - these eggs that hens lay without a rooster - are they edible? Like the eggs you get at the store? Pretty cool if so!!! Thanks!

Yeah. My ex-coworker said the eggs she got tasted a lot better than store bought ones. Of course, they got tired of them very quickly because you can only eat so many eggs and egg-based dishes, but they just kept piling up day after day....

 

[feralkid]

Many cities allow chickens (no roosters) ducks, geese, and even miniature goats.

YMMV.