Backyard Chickens

Ever wake up one morning and think, “Forget this city life! I’m going to move to the middle of nowhere and live off the land!”

Well, you can get a little taste of that experience before making the full-fledged leap to the pioneer lifestyle by trying out some backyard chickens. What are backyard chickens? They are suburbanites raising chickens in their small yards as pets and for eggs. 

Before you get too excited, keep in mind that there are a number of places where this is a no-go zone. WBEZ surveyed 40 cities in the Chicagoland area to find out where livestock was permitted. They reported the results by indicating where they are allowed, where they are allowed but with limitations, and where they are not allowed. Click here to read their report.

Turns out that if you live in Chicago, you can have as many chickens as you want. But, if you live in Glen Ellyn that’s a no. Highland Park allows 25 fowl and Oakbrook Terrace allows one potbellied pig per household. 

If you live in an area that allows it, and Floofins & Co. does serve households with chickens, you need only take a few steps to get started, according to Chicago magazine. First, ensure you have at least three square feet per chicken; a coop; water and feeder; and a bedding like straw. Second, pick out a chicken breed and feel free to mix breeds. A trio of chickens is sometimes considered an ideal number. Then, feed, let your chickens room and harvest eggs.