Category: Managing the Flock

Urban Chicken Keeping, Yes or No?

Keeping a small backyard flock in the city comes with a mix of rewarding benefits and practical challenges. On the positive side, hens provide fresh, nutritious eggs, natural fertilizer for gardens, and effective pest control. However, suburban chicken keeping isn’t without its drawbacks. There are zoning laws and noise ordinances to consider, coop maintenance and biosecurity needs to manage, and potential conflicts with neighbors over smell or noise. Additionally, predators—even in the suburbs—can pose a risk. Weighing these pros and cons helps ensure a happy and responsible flock-keeping experience.
To find out if you can keep chickens in your area, start by checking your city or county’s official government website. Look for sections labeled “Municipal Code,” “Zoning,” or “Animal Ordinances,” and use the search bar to find terms like “chickens,” “poultry,” or “urban farming.”

How Many Chickens?

For a family of four, keeping 4 to 6 hens is usually enough to provide a steady supply of fresh eggs. Most healthy hens lay between 4 to 6 eggs per week, so with five hens, a family can expect around 20 to 30 eggs weekly—typically more than enough for everyday use. When starting a backyard flock, you can choose between buying pullets or chicks. Pullets are young hens close to laying age, making them a convenient option for those who want eggs sooner and prefer less early-stage care. Chicks, while more affordable and available in a wider variety, require more attention, including special feeding, heat, and several months before they begin laying. Chickens can be purchased at local feed stores, particularly during the spring, or through online retailers that ship chicks directly. Local breeders or small farms are also a good source and may offer helpful advice tailored to your region.

Want Lots of Eggs? These Two Breeds Won’t Disappoint

White Leghorn: 280-320 eggs per year
Rhode Island Red: 250-300 per year

Start-up Cost?

Considering you’ll need a coop and run, a brooder if you start with baby chicks, supplies, feed, and of course, unexpected expenses, plan to initially spend at least $1,000 to $1,500.
Note: You will NOT save money by keeping backyard chickens. Farm-fresh eggs are significantly more expensive to produce than buying eggs at the store.

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Considering Chickens Because of Egg Prices?

Read These Articles First

Thinking about raising chickens because of egg prices? Before you commit to this, you might want to learn what you’re signing up for! Before diving into this rewarding hobby, it’s important to understand the time, effort, and costs involved. Here’s what you need to know to enjoy the luxury of farm-fresh eggs.

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Protecting Backyard Flocks from Avian Influenza

USDA recommends that owners of backyard flocks follow these six tips to prevent poultry disease. Feb. 2025

  • Keep your distance (restrict access to your property and your birds.)
  • Keep it clean (clean and disinfect your clothes, shoes, equipment, and hands.)
  • Don’t haul disease home (if you have been near other birds or bird owners, clean and disinfect poultry cages and equipment before going home.)
  • Don’t risk disease from your neighbor (do not borrow lawn and garden equipment, tools, or poultry supplies from other bird owners.)
  • Know the warning signs (sudden increase in bird deaths, sneezing, coughing, nasal discharge, watery or green diarrhea, lack of energy, poor appetite, drop in egg production, swelling around the eyes, neck, and head, and purple discoloration of wattles, combs, and legs.)

Report sick birds (call your local or State veterinarian, or USDA toll-free at 1-866-536-7593).

What can poultry producers do to prevent an outbreak on their farms?

  • Keep an “all–in, all–out” philosophy of flock management. Avoid skimming flocks—birds left behind are exposed to work crews and equipment that could carry poultry disease viruses.
  • Process each lot of birds separately, and clean and disinfect poultry houses between flocks.
  • Protect poultry flocks from coming into contact with wild or migratory birds. Keep poultry away from any source of water that could have been contaminated by wild birds.
  • Permit only essential workers and vehicles to enter the farm.
  • Provide clean clothing and disinfection facilities for employees.
  • Thoroughly clean and disinfect equipment and vehicles (including tires and undercarriage) entering and leaving the farm.
  • Do not loan to, or borrow equipment or vehicles from, other farms.
  • Change footwear and clothing before working with your own flock after visiting another farm or live–bird market or avoid visiting another bird farm if possible.
  • Do not bring birds from slaughter channels, especially those from live–bird markets, back to the farm.
  • If avian influenza is detected, farms must be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. Avian influenza viruses are inactivated by heat and drying and also these viruses are very sensitive to most disinfectants and detergents. The area to be disinfected must be clear of organic material, which greatly increases the resistance of avian influenza virus’ resistance to disinfection.

What should producers do if their birds appear to have signs of avian influenza?

If birds exhibit clinical signs of highly pathogenic avian influenza or might have been exposed to birds with the disease, producers or bird owners should immediately notify Federal or State animal health officials.

All bird owners, whether commercial producers or backyard enthusiasts, should continue to practice good biosecurity, prevent contact between their birds and wild birds, and report sick birds or unusual bird deaths to State/Federal officials, either through their state veterinarian or through USDA’s toll-free number at 1-866-536-7593.
Additional information on biosecurity for backyard flocks can be found at http://healthybirds.aphis.usda.gov.

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