How many chickens can you have?

[katiefloy]

our county has stupid rules of 1 adult chicken per half acre up to 2 acres and 2 chickens per half acre over 2 acres. this is regardless of zoning (in town vs. agricultural). we have 1.5 acres in agricultural zone, so according to the county we can have 3 full grown chickens. i currently have 6 hens, 1 rooster and 6 chicks. i figure a chicken needs to be at least 3 years old before they are full grown, right?

 

[paul rustad]

Hi everyone!!!


I know there’s different rules depending on where you live. I was wondering if you guys have the max amount of chickens allowed in your area, or more or less?

 

[paul rustad]

My city says max 10. I have 19. I also bribe every neighbor with fresh eggs. Works like a charm.

 

[Lemon-Drop]

You know how I said I had 13? Now I have 16... got 3 little silkies from the co-op today! They’re adorable!

Luckily my town doesn’t have a max number. Though roosters aren’t allowed.

 

[MrsPeterTHooper]

Hi everyone!!!


I know there’s different rules depending on where you live. I was wondering if you guys have the max amount of chickens allowed in your area, or more or less?

In my city, the ordnance only allows for 4 chickens per home, and they actually check up so we can't sneak extras in even if we want to.
The cities around us have different allowances, for 6 or 8 chickens. We live in a suburban area.
Why do you ask?

 

[LuckiestMamaof3]

Isn’t it 1 bird per 4 square feet? That’s what I’ve been having everyone tell me.

I have it in my head that it’s one bird per square foot of housing, but maybe 4 square feet of run space?

 

[rosemarythyme]

I have it in my head that it’s one bird per square foot of housing, but maybe 4 square feet of run space?

Are you talking about legal minimums (like factory farms) or about what keepers on here recommend?

Legal minimum in many areas is 1 sq ft housing per bird - could be a cage in a building, could be a large commercial pen, etc. Most folks on here would never recommend raising chickens that way.

 

[susania]

In my area 3 large or 6 medium per acre. No specified limits for small animals. Chickens are considered small animals, right? Whoo hoo!

 

[Thora Bird]

Isn’t it 1 bird per 4 square feet? That’s what I’ve been having everyone tell me.

In the U.K. it’s more space than that, but that little space certainly won’t make happy hens as they love to roam and are very social so need space for milling around eating & dust bathing together.

 

[Colonel Bertie Wooster]

Hi everyone!!!


I know there’s different rules depending on where you live. I was wondering if you guys have the max amount of chickens allowed in your area, or more or less?

I live within city limits in Northern California. I can legally have 4 hens, but roosters are prohibited.