Backyard Chickens
Most towns and cities in Central CT allow backyard chickens.
It’s worth noting that while chickens offer several benefits, they also require proper care, housing, and maintenance. Ensure you have a suitable environment and meet the legal requirements and regulations regarding keeping chickens in your area before embarking on chicken keeping.
Bristol
You are allowed to have up to 12 backyard chickens in an enclosure that does not exceed a height of 14ft.
Farmington
You are allowed a maximum of 20 backyard chickens. Their enclosure must be 5ft from the rear and side property lines. Please note that a permit is required.
Plainville
If your property is smaller than 2 acres, you are not allowed to have any farm animals including chickens. Call the town if you’re lot size is larger than 2 acres to find out more about farm animal restrictions.
Plymouth
You are allowed to keep up to 6 backyard chickens.
Southington
You are allowed to keep up to 12 backyard chickens. Their enclosure cannot exceed 400 sqft.
Benefits of Backyard Chickens
Keeping chickens can offer various benefits beyond just eggs. Here are three additional advantages of raising chickens:
Pest Control: Chickens are natural insect and pest controllers. They eagerly hunt and peck at insects, grubs, ticks, and other pests in your yard or garden. Their foraging behavior helps control populations of unwanted pests, reducing the need for chemical insecticides or other methods of pest control. By letting your chickens roam freely or providing them with designated areas to forage, you can naturally manage pests in an eco-friendly manner.
Fertilizer Production: Chickens produce nutrient-rich manure that can be used as organic fertilizer. Chicken manure is high in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, making it an excellent natural fertilizer for gardens, lawns, or compost piles. By keeping chickens, you can collect their droppings and use them to enrich your soil, promoting healthier plant growth and reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers.
Education and Entertainment: Raising chickens can be a rewarding educational experience, especially for children. It provides an opportunity to learn about animal care, life cycles, and responsibility. Chickens also exhibit interesting behaviors and social interactions, offering entertainment and companionship. Watching their antics and interacting with them can be enjoyable for the whole family.
