Urban Backyard Chickens: How to Raise Happy Hens
Keeping urban backyard chickens is an increasingly popular way to enjoy fresh eggs, create a natural fertilizer for your garden, and experience the companionship of these fun and quirky birds. Whether you’re dreaming of raising chickens in the city for sustainability, eggs or family fun, here’s what you need to know to get started.
Can You Raise Chickens in the City? Start Here
Before buying chicks or building a coop, it’s essential to check your local zoning and health regulations. Different cities and neighborhoods have specific rules about keeping backyard chickens.
For example, in San Diego, residents can have up to five hens based on lot size — but roosters are not allowed. Always confirm:
• How many chickens you can have
• Whether roosters are permitted
• Where the coop must be placed on your property
• Any noise or cleanliness requirements
It’s also important to make sure you have enough space in your backyard for a coop and chicken run that allows your hens to live safely and happily.
The Perfect Urban Chicken Coop
Good coop design is critical when raising chickens in the city.
We made a few smart investments that made daily backyard chicken care much easier:
• Solar-powered automatic door to let the chickens in and out safely.
• Large water dispensers and feeders to minimize daily chores.
• Secure chicken run made on the side of our house, shaded by trees to protect against predators.
Because chickens need space to roam, dig, and dust bathe, a chicken run is essential. Without enough space, chickens can become stressed and start pecking each other.
Pro tip: To prevent your hens from escaping into your garden, gently clip one wing (a common, painless practice that prevents flying).
We feed our chickens organic feed from Costco (~$30 for a 40-lb. bag) and treat them to dried mealworms. Bedding for the coop is affordable and we clean their living space once a week to keep them healthy.
How Long Do Chickens Live and Lay Eggs?
Setting realistic expectations about urban backyard chickens is crucial:
• Chickens typically live 4–5 years.
• They lay eggs reliably for only 1.5 to 2.5 years.
• Chickens stop laying during their molting season when they shed and regrow feathers (this happens annually and lasts a few months).
Despite this, raising chickens in the city remains rewarding. Their gentle clucking and curious personalities are a daily joy for adults and children alike.
The Hidden Benefits of Urban Backyard Chickens
Aside from fresh eggs, urban chickens offer natural soil enrichment in the form of eggshells and manure.
Using Eggshells in the Garden
Chicken eggshells are made up of 96% calcium carbonate (CaCO₃).
Calcium helps moderate soil acidity and supports the growth of vegetables, flowers, and fruit trees. Crushed eggshells make an excellent, slow-release fertilizer, reducing your need for synthetic soil amendments.
Composting Chicken Manure for Fertilizer
Each chicken produces about 1 cubic foot of manure every 6 months (Anderson, 2010). However, raw chicken manure is too strong to use directly and can burn plants or spread pathogens like E. coli and Salmonella.
How to Compost Chicken Manure Properly:
• Combine manure with bedding (like straw or wood shavings).
• Maintain proper moisture and aeration to encourage decomposition.
• Ensure the compost pile heats up to at least 130–150°F to kill harmful organisms.
• Cure compost for 3–6 months before applying it around plants.
Composted chicken manure becomes a nutrient-dense, organic fertilizer that will transform your urban garden into a thriving oasis.
Is Raising Urban Backyard Chickens Worth It?
Absolutely! Urban backyard chickens are not just about eggs — they’re about creating a sustainable home, nurturing the soil, and connecting your family with nature right in the city.
Our chickens have enriched our lives in ways we never expected — from teaching our kids responsibility, to providing daily entertainment and fresh food. Raising chickens in the city requires some planning, but the rewards are absolutely worth it.
Urban Backyard Chicken FAQs
Q: How many chickens should I start with?
A: Three to five hens is a good flock size for most urban backyards.
Q: Can I keep chickens without a rooster?
A: Yes! Hens lay eggs without a rooster, and roosters are often banned in cities due to noise.
Q: How much does it cost to raise backyard chickens?
A: Initial setup (coop, feeders, waterers) might cost $300–$600. Monthly feed and bedding costs are fairly low, around $30–$50.
Q: What should I do with extra manure?
A: Compost it properly, then use it to enrich your garden soil naturally.
