Backyard (town) chicken first timer

[reddirtbirds]

Alright everyone. I had chickens for five years but for the last year I’ve been out of the game. I moved to a city area and had to rehome all of my breeding project babies. I still have my coop though and in the next few months I’m hoping to fill it up again! I’m going for strictly bantams this time around (Cochin, serama, old English, and silkie) which I have a little less experience with. If anyone has pointers as to what breeds do best in backyards, which are quietest, AND let me know if y’all have had any trouble with the city actually keeping track of how many birds you have lol please let me know!

 

[sourland]

Good luck in reestablishing your flock.

 

[Ridgerunner]

It sounds like you have already investigated what the rules and regulations are in that city. That is good information to know. That's one reason I would not want to keep chickens in a city or town. An HMO would really worry me.

Any time you violate the rules you are vulnerable. There is some luck involved. Some enforcement officials go out of their way to find violators. Many don't unless you flaunt it or rub their noses in it. Your biggest risk is going to be your neighbors. If somebody reports you or complains they have to check you out. HMO's tend to have people that complain and officials that check.

I'm not going to recommend breeds. Very few places try to sex bantam chicks. You want to avoid roosters so you might want to get older chickens when they can be sexed.

 

[TXchickmum]

Best of luck on your in-town endeavor! We have raised chickens in suburbia for ten years. Our initial flock was mixed with large fowl and bantams. We had a Japanese bantam, Old English game bantam, and a Cochin bantam. They were wonderful! The Japanese bantam stayed broody all the time, though (just our experience). Our neighbors all raise chickens, so everyone is pretty ok with the morning hen chatter. HOAs would concern me. -wouldn't even attempt to get chickens unless it was permitted with the HOA. Our town has an ordinance against roosters, and limits hens. -just know what's permitted where you are.
Again - good luck!!