In 2020 we saw the rise of chickens as more than just a popular backyard pet. When eggs were next to impossible to find, the value of laying hens skyrocketed and suddenly urbanites everywhere were carving out room in their backyards for these fascinating creatures who might as well have been laying golden eggs.

If you want to add chickens to YOUR urban landscape here in Los Alamos County, here are a few things to keep in mind.

The Coop

Here in Los Alamos County we are allowed to have up to 10 birds on our property. Now. Keep in mind that there are a few rules in place that govern how many birds you can actually house in your backyard.

According to LA County Code 6.2, there must be at least 10 sq ft of space in your backyard per chicken. In addition, you must have 2 sq ft of shelter space available again, per chicken. This means if you’ve got a pretty small lot, you’re not likely to have enough of what the county calls permeable land for ten chickens. Permeable land refers to the land’s ability to support a chicken’s instinctual need to forage. That’s all the scratching and pecking. They can’t live a healthy existence on xeriscaped rock, cement, or flagstone. You need grass, dirt, weeds, or even mulch. That means if you wanted to have ten birds, you need to have 100 sq ft of permeable land available for your birds to roam and a chicken coop that’s at least 20 sq ft.

In addition to restrictions on space, the county ordinance requires chickens to be kept in an area where they have access to sunlight during daylight hours. At night they must be kept inside a containment area that protects them from roaming animals. Keep in mind that if you don’t have a livestock guardian type of dog on duty 24/7, you’re likely to have coyotes sniffing around your property at night. Coyotes seem to enjoy taunting chickens and will happily steal your entire flock if given the opportunity. This doesn’t mean you can’t keep your birds safe. You just have to evaluate your shelter from the perspective of outsmarting Brother Coyote.

The Birds

While it’s possible to keep a huge variety of birds on your property here in Los Alamos, if you’re a first time bird keeping you might want to keep it simple. Ducks and Geese require a little more in the way of planning when it comes to housing. We live in a desert after all, and ducks are water fowl. If you’re not ready to landscape a pond into your backyard, you might want to stick to chickens.

If you’re feeling super ambitious you can try incubating eggs and hatching your own chicks. If you’re like most people, you’d rather get live chicks and brood them yourself. It’s possible to purchase mature laying hens as well. You can actually try Craig’s List for that.

I’m sure you’ve all seen the cute chicks available at stores like Tractor Supply or Big R. While they do tend to be inexpensive, I highly suggest going through a reputable hatchery such as Privett Hatchery in Portales, NM. Hatcheries provide high quality birds and can tell you the sex of your birds with scary accuracy considering the fact that many males and females look identical at that age. This is very important because here in Los Alamos we are NOT ALLOWED TO HAVE ROOSTERS. Unless you’ve got a lot at the North Mesa Stables or you live in Pajarito Acres or La Senda, you need hens. Plus, a hatchery goes through a rigorous health screening process with their adult birds that eliminates many of the issues with things like salmonella.

It’s often tempting to get a variety of birds. Chickens come in crazy combinations of colors and plumage. If you’re just starting out, you might want to try getting just a few chicks of a particular breed depending on what you want your chickens for. If you’re looking for excellent layers who are also easy keepers, you might try the Golden Comet, also known as the Golden Sex Link (don’t laugh, it’s a thing!). If you’re looking for a meat bird who is also a good layer, you could try an Orpington. Do your research and don’t be afraid to Google your eyes out.

What to Expect

Chickens mature very quickly. Hens under one year of age are called pullets. You’ll sometimes see them listed for sale. Pullets aren’t layers just yet. If they do lay eggs they’re typically quite small and are called “pullet eggs”. Different breeds begin laying at different times. But don’t worry! Most chickens start laying eggs between 16 and 24 wks old and continue laying for several years. As they age, the eggs become less frequent. Egg cycles are also governed by the length of the days. If you want to increase your egg yield during the winter months, you can add a light and a timer to the inside of your coop. However, keep in mind that some sources suggest the seasonal rest cycle is a necessary and healthy part of life for hens.

Typical hens lay a single egg every 22 hours or so. It doesn’t sound like a lot. And maybe if you have a teenage boy in your house who goes through a dozen eggs per day, it’s NOT a lot. However, the average family can do quite well and have plenty of eggs with six laying hens. Six eggs per day. 42 per week. That’s a lotta eggs!

Chickens – especially hand raised chickens – are quite friendly and can be more than just egg machines. They have personalities and quirks and will quickly come to recognize anyone who habitually brings them a nibble of something special. They’re intelligent, tough, and hardworking members of any urban family. With a 5-10 year lifespan that leans more toward the 5 year mark, they’re not going to be your longest lived pet. But they do provide a wonderful lesson to the kiddos about animal husbandry and even economics.

Don’t be afraid to dig in and get some chicks this spring! And if you’re looking for a backyard where you can build your coop and your urban farm, give me a call! I’d love to help you find the perfect place in Los Alamos to call home.