Raising your own chickens in your backyard

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) -- While it may seem odd or uncommon, some Connecticut cities and towns have specific regulations which allow residents to keep chickens in the backyard of their homes, even if their property is not considered a farm.

In New Haven , an ordinance was passed in 2009 that specifically allows up to six hens (no roosters allowed) in certain zoning districts.

Along with the limit of six hens, they have to be in a fenced area 200 square feet or smaller, the pen has to be 25 feet from the street, 15 feet away from a residence, and five feet away from the property line. The ordinance is also specific in that "No hens may be kept inside any structure used for residential purposes." Read the full ordinance here .

Nearby in Branford , town residents who have less than an acre of land are also allowed to have six or fewer chickens on their property as long as they are at least six feet from the property lines and 25 feet from the neighbors' houses ( Check section 3.7 in the zoning regulations ).

If you're thinking about it, check with your city or town's zoning office before you create your coop.

Around the web, there are websites such as thecitychicken.com that are devoted to people who want to raise chickens in their backyards or urban areas. backyardchickens.com will tell you about the different species of chickens, and which ones are best for specific climates.

You may also want to check out urbanchickens.net , one of the many blogs and Facebook pages out there from people who like raising their own chickens and having fresh eggs every morning.