news-record.com

It's unclear how many urban dwellers raise chickens nowadays, but grass-roots groups in cities all across the country have successfully lobbied their elected officials, including in Greensboro and Durham, to allow backyard flocks during the past few years. In fact, after vegetable gardens, urban homesteaders consider chickens a key feature of trying to live self-sufficiently.

Proponents tout several benefits to raising chickens: fresh eggs, increased food self-sufficiency, outdoor weed and bug control, manure for use as garden fertilizer and preservation of rare poultry breeds. But budding homesteaders shouldn't hatch any plans for producing home-grown eggs until they know what it takes to raise healthy chickens in an urban environment. These tips should help them get started:

1. Check zoning ordinances. Some cities prohibit raising meat animals of any kind in urban areas. Greensboro City Council recently relaxed requirements for raising chickens and bees: Chickens can be kept on lots as small as 7,000 square feet, as long as they are housed at least 50 feet from any neighboring homes. The new rules also limit urban farmers to one hen per 3,000 square feet of property for lots that don't meet the setback requirement. It's also wise to discuss your intentions with neighbors to avoid arguments and misunderstandings later.

2. Talk to people. Find out who in your community is raising chickens and ask to visit their home. Good places to start include neighborhood associations, farmers markets, classified ads and social networking sites.

3. Arrange adequate housing. You need at least three square feet of space for each bird and a well-ventilated chicken coop that contains absorbent bedding material, such as pine shavings, rice hulls and ground corn cobs. Hardwood shavings are not recommended because they can harbor mold.

4. Protect against predators. Your yard will need fencing to keep out dogs, cats, foxes and other predators and to keep your chickens from wandering into the street and neighboring property. Also, decide who will feed and watch your chickens when you leave home for a few days.

5. Pick your chicks. Research which breed will work best for your household. Some breeds are docile and kid-friendly, some cost less to feed, and still others are rare breeds suitable for both meat and eggs. Remember that you will need to remove cockerels (young males) from your flock because they are not allowed in city limits and are not necessary for egg production. Purchase chicks from local hatcheries and feed stores or online from nonlocal companies. Keep in mind that some companies require a minimum order of chicks so consider splitting an order with a friend or neighbor.

6. Plan the menu. Base the number of hens you raise on your commercial feed budget and egg needs. You can supplement the chickens' diet by allowing them to graze on lawn bugs and plants or table scraps.

7. Share your surplus. Giving eggs to your neighbors is easy. Selling them takes more work: Technically, sellers need a privilege license to conduct business, but state law doesn't require small-scale egg producers to wash or grade their eggs as long as they sell fewer than 30 dozen a week. However, sellers must label their cartons "ungraded eggs" and include their names and addresses. Make sure your friends and customers know the proper way to store them.

8. Plan for disease and death. It's not economical for veterinarians to treat poultry so owners will need to diagnose and treat their sick hens. Contact the livestock agent at your county's cooperative extension office for help. Decide in advance where you will dispose of dead animals; you can do it on your own property if you have the space. Guilford County Animal Control does not pick up dead animals.

Sources: N.C. State and University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Services

Contact Morgan Josey Glover at morgan.josey@news-record.com.