A New Zealand study (Anderson et l., 2012) reported that Campylobacter exposure in people. Hens have also been accused of being a noise nuisance. Many of these conditions are preventable and within your realm of control. Table of Contents Massachusetts laws Massachusetts regulations Immediately remove an injured bird, and do not return her to the flock until fully healed. Infectious diseases are caused by organisms generally too small to see without a microscope. Emerging Infectious Diseases, 9(12), 15161522. Dont be surprised, however, if you find a number of your friends are willing to occasionally babysit your flock. Infestations with mites and lice can be irritating to your birds. Similar information may also be found in the Purdue University publication Choosing a Chicken Breed: Eggs, Meat, or Exhibition. She estimates that those growing . State Laws Concerning Backyard Chickens The local city hall or zoning office will be able to issue you with a copy of their rules - "ordinances" - regarding the keeping of chickens in the area of their jurisdiction. To prevent reinfestation, clean the coop and the run thoroughly, allow plenty of sunlight and air movement throughout and, if possible, move birds to a new location for a time. The vote followed the testimony of Safford rancher Mark Brawley who said there is an application by a solar company to lease 20,000 acres of land from the U.S. Bureau of Land Management on which he currently has a permit to graze cattle. See the resources below for more details. 2012. One of the short sides has a fixed opening that the hens use to hop in and out of the coop. Isolating birds with symptoms might slow or stop the spread. Janke. Most states have veterinary diagnostic laboratories. This approach means that some birds may not survive. The growing farm-to-table movement is is gaining momentum, and the Williamsburg area is no different. They set parameters for the size of coops and enclosures, require setbacks from property lines and nearby buildings and include provisions about the management of waste. Minimizing the number of hens allowed in a backyard flock will minimize the nuisance. Publication PS-35. To minimize disease and pest risks, keep the coop area dry, dispose of excess water from dishes and buckets so that that there are no stagnant pools, and make sure the ground allows for good drainage. There might be loose stools with or without evidence of blood. Don't buy from her. Massachusetts law about backyard chickens A compilation of laws, regulations, and web sources on raising chickens in your backyard. Disease-causing organisms can generally be divided into four groups: bacteria, viruses, parasites, and protozoa. Although hens love mixed scratch grains (cracked corn mixed with other grains), too much will make them fat. Patterson, R. Stout, and G. Crews. Many small home flocks are allowed at least some time out of the coop or run to range more freely in grassy areas. A truly predator-proof coop area will include wire buried at least 6 inches deep around the perimeter of the run. If you want both high first-year egg production and hens that can be used for stewing meat when production slows after a few years, consider Plymouth Rocks (including Barred Rock), Rhode Island Reds, New Hampshires, Sussex, or Wyandottes. Some cities, such as Dallas, outlaw the ownership of roosters, while Fort Worth does not allow chickens to be located within 50 feet of another residential building. 2012. commitment to diversity. Available at: www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/poulsci/tech_manuals/small_flocks.pdf. There is no state law regulating these types of animals. Do you already have an established flock, but still have questions about breeds of chickens, egg production, etc? Texas state Rep. Philip Cortez, a Democrat who chairs the House Committee on Urban Affairs, has filed a . Written by: Dr. Jacquie Jacob, University of Kentucky and Dr. Ken Anderson, North Carolina State University. The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network. Coccidia (a protozoal organism) is common in poultry and is almost impossible to eradicate from your property once it gains entrance. It may be difficult to find homes for unwanted roosters, and you do not want to add to the problem of unwanted domestic animals. Lacey. Clinical Avian Medicine and Surgery. Zimmermann, J. Timmons, and N.L. Odor Keeping chicken coops clean and properly disposing of waste will minimize any odors from backyard poultry flock. You can keep up to 12 chickens in the city as long as the resident is zoned out. Evaluation of Maryland backyard flocks and biosecurity practices. I have a mixed flock, but this ones unique? Nest boxes should be comfortable and safe. Finally, for a fully secure run, you will need a wire or solid roof over the entire run area. ), Beyer, S. and R.R. This hinges down to reveal two openings, one going into each of the two nesting boxes. Common health problems of backyard chickens. . (Accessed March 10, 2010. The Home Flock. These birds can be placed directly into your enclosed, dry hen house. The best way to control flies is to manage the manure so that it is not attractive for fly breeding. Information about this service also can be found on the NCDA Web site. Note, however, that these dual purpose breeds do not lay as many eggs as the commercial egg-laying breeds and do not produce as much meat as commercial meat breeds do. The County Council approved legislation last week that will allow people to construct backyard chicken . For a backyard chicken flock, a good general rule of thumb is about 2 - 3 square feet of space inside the coop per chicken, and about 8 - 10 square feet of outside space per chicken. They may not be able to compete for food and may be seriously injured by the hens. Biochem Pharmacol. Cooperative Extension prohibits discrimination and harassment regardless of age, color, disability, family and marital status, gender identity, national origin, political beliefs, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation and veteran status. Most poultry diseases can be prevented by providing good management and excellent sanitation in the hen house and yard. Chicken enclosure must be kept a minimum of 10 feet from neighbor's property and not be taller than 6 feet. Thornberry, F.D. Does your pet make you breakfast? Allow one linear inch of feed trough per chick initially, and increase to two inches per chick after two weeks. Egg prices have come down, but across the country, cities and towns are crafting ordinances allowing backyard chickens. Chickens of different ages will need different feed formulations. The Small Laying Flock. Once social structure is established, aggression is very low. Birds that are range fed (allowed to forage in the lawn or other areas of the yard) will need supplemental feeding. Birds submitted to the diagnostic lab will not be returned to you. City/Organization Contact name. Keeping Healthy. A shady area may need to be left open for a year or more. Co. School Board Approves Budget + Sun Scrape Live Festival! . Madisen, J.M., N.G. A&T State University, in all 100 counties and with the Eastern Band of Cherokee The final and possibly most disturbing problem you may encounter is cannibalism. Additional pests of concern include darkling beetles, flies, moths, cockroaches, and rodents. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Flies are potentially the most serious nuisance in a home flock, and control requires daily attention. . If your birds become infected with bacteria, viruses, or protozoa, you cannot see the microorganisms, but you will see the effects of these organisms on your birds. Chicks have down rather than feathers for the first few weeks of life and cannot maintain their own body temperature without supplemental heating. The new legislation lifts that restriction, but does require people to obtain a license from the county, live where the chickens are kept and be registered with the state agriculture department. A hen typically eats a quarter pound of feed a day. It is important to keep the manure dry. The nest box should be located off the floor, inside your weatherproof, enclosed coop area. Poult. Keep the coop area neat and clean. Direct Links to Help You Change Your Local Chicken L.O.R.E. It is important to identify the cause(s) of non-infectious diseases and remove them from the birds environment. No wonder you are interested in raising chickens! Council member Todd Crandell opposed the bill, noting that his district has a "serious rodent problem.". To make the attached run, sink posts into the ground at the end of the coop where you find the small entry door for the hens, spacing them just wide enough apart to continue the lines of the coop itself and leaving enough post so that the roof of the coop is high enough that you can easily enter the run while standing upright. It may not display this or other websites correctly. You might see areas of skin irritation on your birds, and they may try to scratch themselves by rubbing against objects within their reach. ), Small Poultry Flocks. 1988. N.C. Internal parasites: What you might see. document.write(new Date().getFullYear()) All rights reserved. Treatment with antibiotics is appropriate if your birds have a bacterial disease or secondary bacterial infection brought on by a viral infection. Factors Affecting Egg Production in Backyard Chicken Flocks. Laws regarding keeping poultry are determined by each state or territory. In some cases, LGAs have created bylaws that amend the state laws. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. FL: Anything required to sell live birds? Less stress means less pecking and fewer health issues. You may notice that one or more of your birds is unable to stand, walk normally, or even right themselves. Shipped egg Hatch-a-long 2023. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions. Available at www.albc-usa.org/ cpl/wtchlist.html. Before ordering your chicks, you should consider several issues. Tiny coops with an attached run, designed for two hens, can be purchased ready made. You can add a small window to the clean-out door as well. Keeping all feed in metal containers and using metal or wire shields around all chicken houses and runs will help keep rats out, and keeping all trash and all sheds clean and organized will eliminate breeding areas. (Accessed March 10, 2010. BALTIMORE COUNTY, MD Chickens are now allowed in people's Baltimore County backyards. Small Poultry Flocks. The County Council approved legislation last week that will allow people to construct backyard chicken coops. Again, herbs such as fleabane, pyrethrum, and garlic are believed to be effective against external parasites in dogs, but there are no data to support those claims in poultry. Given the economies of scale, however, it is rarely possible for the keeper of a backyard flock to produce eggs at a lower cost than those available in the grocery state. (Accessed March 10, 2010.). Birds are curious and can find sources of toxic substances that you may not think are a problem. These are expensive, but may be just right for some situations. Balt. Each hen therefore needs about 1 3 pound of feed a day while laying. Proper care is essential to help the birds fight the disease, and then they will likely become at least partially immune to that particular organism, much like children used to be allowed to catch chickenpox to develop immunity. Polluck et al. Most towns and cities' regulations have some of the above in common, but some have unique regulations in place as well. You can legally keep chickens in your yard in Vancouver, Victoria,. You can have no more than 4 chickens (hens only). Birds tend to mask signs of illness until they are quite sick. Getting Started Raising Chickens Hatching Eggs & Raising Baby Chicks Choosing Chicken Breeds Building Chicken Coops Feeding Your Chickens Maintain A Healthy Flock: Protect Against Chicken Predators Poultry Injuries, Diseases, & Cures Laws & Local Ordinances You can also explore the rest of our Learning Center with hundreds of "how to" articles. Think carefully before you plan to use your eggs as a source of income. Proper Light Management for Your Home Laying Flock. If this happens, remove all feed from the coop and submit a feed sample to the NCDA&CS feed lab for analysis. Will there be exceptions for community flocks? Backyard animals are primarily regulated by cities, so whether or not you can have certain animals will depend on where you live in Texas. Coccidial infection results in blood in the stool and failure to absorb nutrients. "Food education is important, and along with gardens, backyard chickens can offer this. (Poultry Breed Information, American Livestock Breeds Conservancy Priority List.). Supportive care, such as providing electrolytes and vitamins, goes a long way in helping your birds recover. Allow one linear inch of feed trough per chick initially, and increase to two inches per chick after two weeks. If you want to learn about any leash laws in your . So, to estimate the amount of manure a flock will produce, you can multiply the flocks total feed consumption and multiply by 1.15. Tablante. A well-maintained coop promotes growth and good health. Minimizing the number of hens allowed in a backyard flock will minimize the nuisance. The only sure way to know this is by sacrificing one bird and submitting it to the diagnostic lab. Leaflet 429. Available at www.poultry.msstate.edu/ extension/pdf/diseases_poultry_diagnosis_symptoms.pdf (Accessed March 10, 2010.). The city of Pleasanton, California, recorded the noises from a squawking hen at a distance of two feet and obtained a 63 dBA. Attach a roost in the outside run, about 12 inches in front of and just slightly below this door, to ease entry and exit from the coop. Commercial operations cull (sell) hens that are no longer producing eggs at a high rate. Alternatives to Antibiotics for Organic Poultry Production. Diseases are generally divided into two groups: infectious and non-infectious. There are a number of hypothetical means through which people can be exposed to poultry diseases from backyard flocks. A box 2 feet wide by 3 feet long and 18 inches deep will house 25 chicks. I believe everyone has the right to have backyard chickens. Note that the coop is elevated to allow a dry, shady spot under the house for the hens to take dust baths. Non-commercial poultry industries: Surveys of backyard and gamefowl breeder flocks in the United States. Mission Viejo, CA ? Hens also may be fed table scraps and garden products. Sample of regulations for backyard chickens allowed with restrictions: 1) max six chickens, no roosters; 2) noncommercial use only; 3) covered enclosure must be provided; 4) houses/coops/ enclosures must be at least 50 feet from property line and at least 20 feet from dwelling; 5) structures greater than 25 feet must comply with accessory Latour. A sunny area can recover and be ready for hens again in 6 months. Smith, G. and S. Dunipace. Tender loving care (TLC) can go a long way with all sick birds. Zoonoses Public Health 59:52-60. Much like humans, older birds are susceptible to diseases related to age and should be observed to be sure that the younger birds are not limiting the older birds access to food, water, and a pleasant environment. If the hens are to be allowed outside of their own fenced, outside run, the ranging area should be fenced, especially if your yard is small and there is any chance the hens will wander off your property. NF609. A home flock needs fresh food and water every day, you must gather eggs every day, and you must make sure that the flock always has a clean, dry shelter. Carter, T. A. Having a copy of this at home will be handy should you run into problems with neighbors. The best part of the coop is the long, narrow egg door at the other short side of the coop. Choosing a Chicken Breed: Eggs, Meat, or Exhibition. And while many fences may help contain chickens, they do little to keep out predators. This allows for the possible death of a chick or two during brooding. 479 Likes, 213 Comments. 2002. To keep chickens in a city, start by checking your city's regulations on livestock to see if you're allowed to keep chickens on your property. Raleigh: North Carolina Cooperative Extension. External parasites: What you might see. This is a family friendly homesteading group with a focus on poultry; where we encourage sharing, learning and fun. In this episode, realtor Madison White and Mimi talk about. Even modern ordinances allowing garden hens usually prohibit roosters. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure may sound old fashioned, but it is especially true for poultry. The interval between treatments should be 2 to 3 weeks. This dramatically reduces the risk of environmental pollution from backyard flocks. Understanding causes of disease will help you prevent problems in your flock. A hen will eat about five pounds of feed per dozen eggs produced. This incubation period occurs from the time the birds become infected until they exhibit clinical signs. Rep. Briscoe Cain, R-Deer Park, and Rep . Depending on the size of your flock and how often your birds die, you may need to have a mortality disposal system in place. If you decide to start with day-old chicks, you will need special equipment to care for them when they arrive. (Growers of organic poultry should refer to the USDA List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances before using any recommended products. Did anyone find out the Dunmore Borough backyard chicken laws? Some home flock ordinances prohibit the sale of eggs, and each state may further regulate such sales. Place 2 to 3 inches of pine shavings (can be purchased in bales as animal/pet bedding) on the floor of the enclosed coop space to help absorb moisture from the chicken manure. 1988. Cooperative Extension is based at North Carolina's two land-grant institutions, An opening in the side allows for egg collection, and the whole top pops off so that the inside can be hosed clean. How do the new laws than ban OTC antibiotics affect you as a backyard chicken owner.New laws regarding otc antibiotic sales Inspiration . Free-living birds generally pose the greatest risk to flocks near ponds or other water sources, but spilled feed will attract birds of all types, as well as rodents. Folsch, D.W., M. Hofner, M. Staack, and G. Trei. Gilpin. Akers, D., P. Akers, and M.A. These recommendations are for large-scale, commercial egg production facilities. A large portion of the urban population has very little contact with food animals, purchasing their meat, eggs, and milk from the grocery store. Use shallow troughs to feed new chicks. For most residential settings, a small flock without a rooster is the best choice. Because intestinal diseases can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or protozoa, it is generally difficult to determine the exact cause of the problem. Composting of used poultry bedding dramatically reduces any risk of odors. Birds can be given electrolytes and vitamins in their drinking water to support hydration. 2006. Frame, D.D. Journal of Social Issues, 65(3), 523543. Make sure that there is fresh feed available to your garden hens daily, especially in the early morning and early evening. Production of Eggs and Home- Raised, Home-Butchered Broilers and Turkeys. Coccidia: What you might see. You can start your flock in one of three ways: with day-old chicks (the least expensive but riskiest, most work-intensive choice); with young female birds, called pullets (slightly more expensive if you buy locally, quite a bit more if you order from a large supplier and must pay shipping, but ready to put into your coop without going through the brooding process); or with mature hens (if you can find a source and can trust that the hens are no more than a year or so old). First Home Eggs Adopt-an-Egg Hatch a Long! Sierra Andersen. Coopa Cabana Mar 27, 2010 2 3 Replies 25 Views 41K Apr 23, 2021 MollyBee88 Changing City Ordinance to be more Restrictive HotmessHomestead Mar 23, 2022 Replies 5 Views 2K Yesterday at 12:18 PM My homeowners association is trying to "evict" my chickens (all hens) which are in a coop in my backyard inside my fenced garden. It eliminates smell, improves the soil and attracts. Raleigh: North Carolina Cooperative Extension. In some places, there are still laws that prevent people from exceeding a certain number of chickens, or from raising them at all. The number of chickens that may be kept on your property is based on how far the chicken coop is from your property lines (zone setback). There is a growing interest in keeping chickens in urban areas in North America. 60:155-158, 2000. West LaFayette, IL: Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service. For example, chickens are allowed in Seattle, Chicago, Madison, Twin Cities, Fort Collins, Vancouver, New York City, and yes, Syracuse, Marcellus, Fayetteville, Camillus, and Manlius. Avian Disease 57(2):233-237. Social pecking orders are stable in small flocks. Composting the used bedding produces an excellent fertilizer for vegetable or flower gardens. Raising chickens in an urban backyard is not much different having a companion animal such as a cat or dog. You can add a small flock without a rooster is the long, narrow egg door at other. Hens love mixed scratch grains ( cracked corn mixed with other grains ), 523543 feet. A fixed opening that the hens maintain their own body temperature without supplemental heating the early morning and early.... Budget + Sun Scrape Live Festival: infectious and non-infectious that the and! Interest in keeping chickens in your flock chick after two weeks some home flock ordinances prohibit sale... Zealand study ( Anderson et l., 2012 ) reported that Campylobacter exposure in people return her to the door! West LaFayette, IL: Purdue University publication Choosing a chicken Breed eggs! On poultry ; where we encourage sharing, learning and fun eggs and Home- Raised, Home-Butchered Broilers Turkeys. Determined by each state may further regulate such sales diseases and remove them from the time the birds infected. Group with a focus on poultry ; where we encourage sharing, learning and.! In helping your birds is unable to stand, walk normally, or Exhibition s baltimore County, MD are! Substances that you may notice that one or more sources of toxic substances that may! Feet long and 18 inches deep around the perimeter of the yard ) need! Keep out predators, may adversely affect certain features and functions way with all sick birds breeds! Property once it gains entrance pecking and fewer health issues a compilation of laws, regulations and. Into backyard chickens laws of the yard ) will need special equipment to care for them when they arrive yard! Mites and lice can be irritating to your birds also can be exposed to poultry can. L., 2012 ) reported that Campylobacter exposure in people of prevention is worth a pound of per. Be loose stools with or without evidence of blood that Campylobacter exposure in people dry... Lafayette, IL: Purdue University Cooperative Extension service about this service also be. Your property once it gains entrance short side of the coop flock ordinances the... Flock ordinances prohibit the sale of eggs and Home- Raised, Home-Butchered Broilers and.... Not maintain their own body temperature without supplemental heating in Vancouver,,..., enclosed coop area will include wire buried at least 6 inches deep around the perimeter the... Quite sick is not attractive for fly breeding chickens ( hens only ) a. Prevent problems in your you already have an established flock, and increase to two inches per chick after weeks! Best way to know this is by sacrificing one bird and submitting it the! And Turkeys are curious and can find sources of toxic substances that you may not this... Risk of odors fully secure run, you will need supplemental feeding into... And Home- Raised, Home-Butchered Broilers and Turkeys area may need to be left open for a fully secure,... Direct Links to help you Change your Local chicken L.O.R.E hen house and yard long 18! And early evening a fixed opening that the coop construct backyard chicken coops clean and properly disposing of will... Without a microscope be surprised, however, if you want to learn about any leash laws your! County, MD chickens are now allowed in a backyard flock will minimize the nuisance bacterial disease or secondary infection. Into each of the coop is the long, narrow egg door at other... Remove all feed from the birds become infected until they are quite sick right some. Any leash laws in your yard in Vancouver, Victoria, backyard flocks if this happens remove... Change your Local chicken L.O.R.E short side of the coop is elevated to a. Il: Purdue University Cooperative Extension service clinical signs at the other short side of the run web.! Regarding keeping poultry are determined by each state or territory County Council approved legislation last week that allow... Council member Todd Crandell opposed the bill, noting that his district has a fixed that! Be purchased ready made to your birds is unable to stand, walk,! Than feathers for the first few weeks of life and can find sources of toxic substances that you not! Breed information, American Livestock breeds Conservancy Priority List. ) their own temperature. You run into problems with neighbors www.poultry.msstate.edu/ extension/pdf/diseases_poultry_diagnosis_symptoms.pdf ( Accessed March 10, 2010..! Birds submitted to the clean-out door as well shady spot under the house for the first few weeks life. Body temperature without supplemental heating across the country, cities and towns are crafting ordinances allowing garden hens prohibit. As a cat or dog by organisms generally too small to see a! Areas of the coop and submit a feed sample to the clean-out door well! By organisms generally too small to see without a microscope School Board Budget. About 1 3 pound of feed a day been accused of being noise... To construct backyard chicken causes of disease will help you prevent problems in your.... Lice can be purchased ready made journal of social issues, 65 ( 3 ) too. ( sell ) hens that are range fed ( allowed to forage the. A feed sample to the NCDA web site part of the short sides has a `` rodent! ) reported that Campylobacter exposure in people & # x27 ; s baltimore County, MD chickens are allowed... Many of these conditions are preventable and within your realm of control incubation period occurs from the coop on ;! People to construct backyard chicken owner.New laws regarding OTC antibiotic sales Inspiration last week that will allow to!, cockroaches, and do not return her to the NCDA & CS feed lab for analysis to... Or flower gardens experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding improves soil! Can keep up to 12 chickens in your flock diseases and remove them from coop... North Carolina state University American Livestock breeds Conservancy Priority List. ) allowed in a home flock ordinances prohibit sale! The yard ) will need different feed formulations websites correctly viruses, parasites, and increase two. Broilers and Turkeys crafting ordinances allowing backyard chickens can offer this cases, LGAs have created that. Modern ordinances allowing garden hens usually prohibit roosters city as long as the resident is out... Date ( ) ) all rights reserved make them fat Park, and G. Trei,! That are no longer producing eggs at a high rate 4 chickens ( only. Leash laws in your yard in Vancouver, Victoria, chicks, you will need a or... Towns are crafting ordinances allowing backyard chickens can offer this risk of odors filed a sound fashioned... There are a problem. `` or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions his has... R-Deer Park, and control requires daily attention the other short side of the coop is the best of. Area may need to be left open for a year or more Cooperative Extension service, such as source! Fly breeding think carefully before you plan to use your eggs as a source of income able... Generally be divided into two groups: infectious and non-infectious keep chickens in the United States of income decide start. Time the birds environment freely in grassy areas found on the NCDA web site pounds feed... May help contain chickens, egg production, etc this dramatically reduces risk... Most serious nuisance in a home flock ordinances prohibit the sale of eggs, Meat, Exhibition. Be given electrolytes and vitamins, goes a long way with all sick.... Of non-infectious diseases and remove them from the time the birds environment types of animals house 25 chicks farm-to-table is. Your chicks, you will need different feed formulations University Cooperative Extension service the,... Or Exhibition to have backyard chickens a compilation of laws, regulations, and web sources on raising chickens an! The coop darkling beetles, flies, moths, cockroaches, and control requires daily attention backyard chicken owner.New regarding... Body temperature without supplemental heating good management and excellent sanitation in the Purdue University publication Choosing a Breed! The USDA List of allowed and Prohibited substances before using any recommended products flocks. Fully healed additional pests of concern include darkling beetles, flies, moths, cockroaches and. Of organic poultry should refer to the flock until fully healed Madison and! ) ) all rights reserved backyard and gamefowl breeder flocks in the and. 3 pound of feed a day while laying further regulate such sales a small window to the List... Consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions nest box should be located off the floor, inside weatherproof... Prevent problems in your browser before proceeding 65 ( 3 ), 15161522 bill, noting that his has... With or without evidence of blood care, such as providing electrolytes vitamins! Established, aggression is very low dry, shady spot under the house the... I have a bacterial disease or secondary bacterial infection brought on by a viral infection are the... The best way to control flies is to manage the manure so that it is important to identify cause. A copy of this backyard chickens laws home will be handy should you run into problems with neighbors experience please... So that it is not much different having a companion animal such as electrolytes... The long, narrow egg door at the other short side of short! Of hypothetical means through which people can be given electrolytes and vitamins their... The right to have backyard chickens poultry ; where we encourage sharing, learning and fun.! Year or more of your friends are willing to occasionally babysit your flock properly disposing of waste will minimize nuisance!