hens – TBN Ranch Chicken Keeping Resources

The Daily Reality of Raising Backyard Chickens

The dream of collecting fresh eggs from your backyard is one of the biggest attractions of modern suburban homesteading. However, behind the dream lies the reality, keeping a small flock of four to six hens requires consistent labor, routine maintenance, and a non-negotiable commitment to cleaning. While chickens are relatively low maintenance, having a small flock demands a steady commitment and a good deal of your time.
Every morning begins with letting the flock out of the secure coop into their enclosed run. Waterers must be checked, dumped, and refilled with fresh water. Mid-day or late afternoon requires a quick trip to gather eggs before they get broken or dirty. Dusk brings the mandatory task of locking the coop door to protect the flock from predators like raccoons, foxes, coyotes, etc. These are non-negotiable chores every single day.
Maintaining a tidy coop is where the real effort lies. Chickens produce a surprising amount of poop. Without regular care, smells become overwhelming fast, attract flies, rodents, and can cause respiratory disease over time. Scraping manure off the roosting boards, checking nesting boxes for broken eggs, replacing soiled straw or wood shavings, and wiping down the nest boxes is a necessary part of chicken keeping. Raking the outdoor run to prevent mud buildup and turning over soil or adding fresh pine shavings keeps odor at bay, which is a weekly chore at the very least.
Whatever bedding method is used, a comprehensive scrub-down is necessary every few months. Deep cleaning involves hauling out all old bedding, scrubbing surfaces, cleaning drinkers and feeders, and adding lime to the ground to deter mites and lice.
While keeping chickens is not backbreaking work, it does require a daily commitment, regardless of rain, snow, or heat. For those willing to put in the time, the reward is a steady supply of farm fresh eggs. But there are other benefits too, chickens have distinct personalities and can be fun to watch. You may find that spending time with a flock is not about the work at all, could it be your new way to relax, unwind, and be entertained? I’m not opposed to calling chicken keeping… therapy.

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Can Your HOA Ban Chickens, Even If the City Allows Them?

Playing with the idea of having a few backyard chickens for fresh eggs, but live in an HOA community? Well, you just hit a major roadblock, with one exception, and we’ll get to that in a bit. Many people assume that if their city or state passes an ordinance allowing backyard hens, they are automatically cleared to build a coop. Unfortunately, the reality of property laws across the United States tells a completely different story.
To put it simply, just because the city says you can have chickens doesn’t mean your HOA has to let you. In almost all of the United States, your HOA can completely ban you from keeping chickens, even if your city and state say it’s legal.
An HOA only loses its power to restrict your flock if a state legislature passes a law that explicitly voids private contracts. While many states have stepped in to protect things like solar panels or flags from HOA overreach, almost none have extended that same protection to poultry. What does “almost” mean? Florida stands out as a rare exception with legislation that stripped HOAs of their power to ban backyard chickens, provided the coop is hidden in the backyard.
But beware, HOA boards frequently use vague nuisance clauses regarding odors, flies, noise and especially complaints to shut down anything they don’t like… such as chicken coops. The golden rule for homeowners across America is simple, never assume a government green light means your HOA won’t shut you down… because they will try, and most likely succeed .