Intro to Backyard Chickens

How do I get those delicious farm fresh eggs when I live in the city? The answer is simple…grow your own! The ‘fresh food’, ‘buy local’, ‘know your farmer’ movement continues to gain popularity in urban areas. Consumers want to know how and where their food is produced. What better way to answer those questions than grow your own hens to produce farm fresh eggs? Bonus: your homegrown eggs won’t have to travel long distances or get packaged before they get to you. This reduces harmful vehicle emissions and solid waste, making backyard hens an environmentally sustainable choice.

In Metro Nashville/Davidson County, common, domesticated farm animals, exotic and native wildlife are restricted in residential areas unless lot size requirements are met. For residentially zoned districts, the minimum lot size is five (5) acres. In residential areas, if a homeowner has a lot size less than 5 acres, then the only farm animals that are allowed are backyard chickens, with permits. Permits are obtained through the Metro Health Department Animal Control. (Domestic Hen Permits in Davidson County)

Which came first – the chicken or the egg?

Hens are allowed in Nashville residential areas through permits, roosters are not allowed. A hen is an adult female chicken. A pullet is a female chicken less than a year old, or a young female chicken before she begins to lay eggs. A rooster is an adult male chicken, also known as a cock. A cockerel is a young rooster not more than a year old.

Will my hen lay eggs without a rooster being present?

A hen can lay an egg without the presence of a rooster. These eggs are infertile and cannot hatch a baby chick. For a hen to lay a fertile egg, a rooster must be present. (Small Poultry Flock Management)

Plan ahead

Before you call the mail-order chick hatchery and order chicks, plan several months in advance. Check with the local ordinances in your area to see if you are eligible to host backyard chickens at your house. City/county ordinances regarding farm animals and backyard chickens vary in Middle Tennessee counties, so check with your county codes or zoning departments, if you don’t know where to begin. In Metro Nashville, permits are obtained through the Metro Health Department Animal Control. (Domestic Hen Permits in Davidson County)

Research the housing requirements, number of chickens you can have, disposal regulations, etc. If you are planning to order spring chicks, then you will need your coop and fenced in area already constructed as well as having already obtained necessary permits.

Ordering or purchasing day old chicks

While you could purchase mature hens that are already laying eggs from someone in your area, most people prefer to grow their own chicks from small day-old chicks into mature hens. There are several hatcheries that ship day old chicks through the mail. Be aware that it is not unusual for some chicks to die during shipment, something you might want to keep in mind, especially if you have small children, before you open the shipping carton. (Raising Your Backyard Hens)

Raising young chickens

There are several factors to consider when raising small chickens. These include supplemental heat, feed and water, ventilation, shelter, and protection from predators. (Poultry Beginnings: Raise Your Own Backyard Chickens)

Hen House Requirements

It is critical to provide a solid, predator-proof shelter for your hens. There are many wildlife animals and domestic pets (including the dog that never bites anything) that will kill a chicken, if they have access to them. The best way to protect your chickens is to keep them in a pen that keeps animals from digging below the coop or fence or predatory birds, such as hawks, from flying in from above.

Feed and Water

It is easiest to purchase feed from a local feed/farm supply store or co-op. The feed tag means you don’t have to worry if you are feeding your chickens properly because everything they need is guaranteed to be in that sack. Common feeds are starter (20–24 percent protein), grower (18–20 percent protein), and layer (about 16 percent protein with extra calcium to maintain eggshell hardness). Do not feed layer feed until hens start to lay eggs. It has too much calcium for non-egg-laying birds and may damage their kidneys. (Poultry Beginnings: Raise Your Own Backyard Chickens)

Egg Production

The time it takes for chickens to reach sexual maturity varies by breed. Females usually start to lay eggs between 18 to 22 weeks of age. Lighter breeds tend to mature faster than heavier breeds. Providing water is particularly important as it is the major component of eggs. If water is restricted or unavailable for long periods during the day, egg production will soon drop. Some of the common egg laying breeds will produce around 200 eggs per year.

Summary

Your flock will depend on you for its survival and protection, and that requires a commitment of time and money. Backyard chickens can be a fun, enjoyable, and rewarding experience. However, consider the time and expense required before you make your decision. Plan and take enough time to work out all the details before you act. Know what rules and regulations apply in your area. Hopefully, in the end, you can enjoy those farm fresh eggs right from your own backyard.

Blog Author

This blog was guest authored by Michael Barry, County Director of Agricultural Extension Metro Nashville and Davidson County