backyard chicken keeping class - austintexas.gov
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AustinResourceRecovery (ARR)
Backyard Chicken Keeping Class
The City of AustinHas a Zero Waste Goal
By 2040, our community will keep at least90% of our discarded materials out of thelandfill.
How will we reach this goal? By choosing toturn these materials into valuable resourcesthrough reuse, repair, repurposing, and more!
.
Reduce Reuse
Repair
Refuse
Donate
Repurpose Recycle
Rescue
Compost
ARR Backyard Chicken Keeping GuideSection 1: Background, Slide 2 of 38
Austin Resource Recovery (ARR)
Curbside CollectionWe service your residential recycle, compost,and landfill carts.
Recycle & Reuse Drop Off CenterWe accept drop off of 'hard to recycle' materialslike: lightbulbs, batteries, old paints, styrofoam,electronics, and more!
Essential ServicesWe handle street sweeping, hazardous waste,large brush pick up, and dead animal collection.
Zero Waste Programs & RebatesWe create and share a variety of Zero Wasteinitiatives and opportunities in our community.
A City of Austin Department turning waste into resource.
ARR Backyard Chicken Keeping GuideSection 1: Background, Slide 3 of 38
What's This Got To Do With Chickens?
In the US,40% of our waste is
food waste.
The average Americanthrows away a half
pound of food EACH DAY.
Why does this matter?
The average chickeneats a quarter pound
of food each day.
ARR Backyard Chicken Keeping GuideSection 1: Background, Slide 4 of 38
Impacts of Food WasteWasted food is a BIG challenge.
It costs us $165 billiondollars in the US every
year.
It's a significant source ofmethane gas emissions.
1 in 9 Americans arefood insecure, including
more than 11 millionchildren.
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Chickens Divert Wastein a BIG Way!If just 1% of households (3,100) in Austin keptchickens... we could divert 1 million pounds of food from the landfill each year!
ARR Backyard Chicken Keeping GuideSection 1: Background, Slide 6 of 38
64 Gallon$27.55*
96 Gallon$48.00*
32 Gallon$22.40*
24 Gallon$21.15*
What Does Less Waste Mean?You Save Money!
*Includes base rate of $17.30
Call 512-494-9400 to change your landfill cart size!ARR Backyard Chicken Keeping Guide
Section 1: Background, Slide 8 of 38
Chicken KeepingBasics
Let's Get Started:
ARR Backyard Chicken Keeping GuideSection 2: Chicken Basics, Slide 8 of 38
Why Keep Chickens?
For Our PlanetChickens are a "gardener's best friend". They are natural insect control. Their manure builds greattopsoils and compost. They help us reduce food waste and support Austin's Zero Waste goal.
For Our PocketbookChickens can eat a lot of our food scraps, in turn reducing what ends up in our landfill carts. Thismay save us money on monthly waste service bills. Chickens also provide us fresh eggs and evenmeat in our own backyards!
For Our Education Chickens can teach us about responsibility and awareness of our food systems. Children caneasily learn where our food comes from and respect for our environment. PLUS chickens areentertaining ! Have you ever heard of chicken TV?
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Know The CodeKeeping chickens is a responsibility. It's important to understand the City Of AustinCodes for livestock.
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means a pen, cage, coop, loft,stable, shed, structure orenclosure used to house abird, fowl, livestock, or otheranimal.
Enclosure
Important Code Definitions
includes a chicken, turkey,goose, guinea hen, or duck.
Fowl
means an animal not:(a) under the direct physicalcontrol of its owner orhandler; or(b) physically restrainedwithin the premises of itsowner or handler.
Running At Large
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Austin Code: Title 3 (Animal Regulation)
3-2-1: Can't Roam FreeYou may not allow your fowl to run at large.Thus, your chickens must stay on your propertyand cannot freely roam your neighborhood.
3-2-2: Excessive NoiseYou may not keep fowl that makes frequent orlong, continued noise that is disturbing to aperson of normal sensibilities.
3-2-5 & 10-5-21: Clean & SanitaryYou must keep your fowl in a clean, sanitary,and healthy condition. You are responsible forclean water, food, adequate shelter, andaddressing any illness & injury.
3-2-16: Appropriate EnclosureAn enclosure used to keep fowl must be locatedat least 50ft from a neighboring residence orbusiness structure, excluding your personalresidence or business.
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Choosing YourChickensThere are hundreds of differentchicken breeds. Here are a couplethings to consider when picking yourflock:
SizeBantam vs. Standard
TypePurebred vs. Hybrid
Smaller birds. Eat less. Smaller eggs.
Eat more. Medium tolarge eggs.
Fit niches. Specific egg colors, feather patterns
& features.
Crossbred sex-linkedchickens. Often
better egg layers.ARR Backyard Chicken Keeping GuideSection 2: Chicken Basics, Slide 13 of 38
Age & Gender
Chicks
Less than a week old.Broader breed selection.More intensive "early care".Longer time until first egg (18 weeks).Chance of mis-sexing, have a back up plan.
Pullets & Cockerels
Under a year old.Pullets = Female; Cockerels = Male.
Less variety and purchase sources available.Shorter wait time to first egg.Less chance of mis-sexing.
Hens & Roosters
Over a year old.Hens = Female; Cocks/Roosters = Male.Less variety and purchase sources available.Already laying eggs.Consider if you want fertile eggs or not.
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Other Considerations
Climate
Some chicken breeds do better than others invarying climates & temperatures.
Egg Production & Meat
Some chickens lay eggs more often or forlonger seasons, other chickens are bred forhigher meat production.
Temperament
Each chicken will have it's own personality, butgenerally some chicken breeds have calmertemperaments than others. This is important ifyou have kids and/or limited space.ARR Backyard Chicken Keeping Guide
Section 2: Chicken Basics, Slide 15 of 38
At minimum your flock should include 3 birds. Chickensmaintain a 'pecking order' and thrive on social structure. Birdswithout companions can become stressed and lonely. This canaffect egg laying and shorten a chicken's lifespan.
Quarantine new birds from your flock for at least 28 days.Never introduce sick birds to your flock. Introduce a minimumof 2 birds at a time. Integrate chickens of a similar size. Nightintroductions while roosting is recommended.
Chicken Buddies & Flock Integration Chickens are social creatures and theyneed friends, just like us!
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Caring For YourChickens
What To Expect:
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Chicken Care Breakdown
Needs
Food
WaterAir
Shelter
Dust
Grit
ChickenBuddies
Produces
Eggs
Meats
Feathers
Manure
Methane
CO2
Behaviors
Scratching
ForagingFlying
Pecking
Dust & SunBathing
Roosting
Nesting
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Chicken FeedThe type of feed you provide your birds is basedon age and purpose. Feed should always befresh, not moldy. Your flock needs:
Carbs & Fats for energy. Proteins to develop. Grit to process feed.
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Types Of FeedThere are a variety of feeds yourchickens can eat. Some providecomplete nutrition (carbs, fat, &proteins). Others should just beused as treats and supplements.
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Course Grains
Food Scraps Green Forage
Chicken Scratch
Pellets Crumble
Mash
Insects
Chick Starter
For chicks between 0-6 weeks old. Medicated vs. non-medicated.
Grower & Pullet Developer
For pullets between 6 weeks until first egg lay.
Layer or Broiler
Different feeds for different purposes. Layerfeed for egg laying hens. Broiler feed for meatbirds.
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Feeds By AgeChickens need to be fed different feed based onage. Ratios for nutrients vary by life stage.
Food Scraps To AvoidFood scraps can be a great supplement foryour flock and help you reduce your foodwaste! Do your research before feedingscraps as some can be poisonous to yourbirds. Here are a few to avoid:
Onion Garlic
Tea Leaves Coffee
Salty Products
Citrus Juice & Peel
Avocado Seed & Peel
Chicken
Raw Meat
Chocolate
Dried Beans & Rice
Raw Potato& Peels
Rhubarb
Nightshade Plant Leaves
Moldy Foods
Junk Foods
ARR Backyard Chicken Keeping GuideSection 3: Chicken Care, Slide 22 of 38
What Is Grit?Chicken's don't have teeth. They have acomplex digestive system. Grit is insolublebits of sand, small stones, decomposedgranite, oyster shells, etc. that allow your birdto grind up food in it's gizzard.
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Water & AirMust be clean, fresh, andeasily accessible at all times.
Just like us, chickens need air and water tosurvive. In the summer months keep water in a shaded area. Ensure that you're coop has airventilation for heat and methane to escape, butisn't drafty.
For chick care, don't use a deep open waterdish. Chicks can easily drown. Use a shallowdish and pebbles or marbles, if needed.
ARR Backyard Chicken Keeping GuideSection 3: Chicken Care, Slide 24 of 38
Brooder
Temporary housing with a reliable heat source forchicks until they 'feather out'.
Coop
Permanent housing for chickens that keeps themsafe and secure, especially at night.
Coop & Run
Permanent housing for chickens that also includesan enclosed outdoor fenced space for day use.
Chicken Tractor
Mobile housing for chickens that includes a coopand small run space.
Types of Shelter
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Shelter EssentialsWhen choosing the best shelter option foryour flock, consider a few things:
Space Availability Yard Access
Predators Climate & SeasonsARR Backyard Chicken Keeping Guide
Section 3: Chicken Care, Slide 26 of 38
Space AvailabilityEnsure appropriate space andlight.
Minimum 2-3 square feet per chicken in coop.Minimum 8-10 square feet per chicken in run.Nest boxes 12x12 inches.
1 nest box per 4 birds.Roosts 18-24 inches from ground.
Highest perch point in coop.Easy access for both chickens and humans!
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Yard AccessConsider if you want yourchickens to stay in a designatedrun, have free range of your yard,or a combination. There aredifferent ways your chickens canhave access to space forforaging.
"Victory Garden" StyleChicken MoatChicken TunnelsChicken TractorOpen Run vs. Closed RunCompost Pile in run
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1/4 hardware cloth is better for predator protection than chicken wire.Ensure doors shut with more complex latches that aren't easilyunhooked by 'smarter' predators. Install wire and/or barrier at coopand run edges.
Predator ProtectionThe KEY to a successful backyard flock!
Consider the different predators in your area. Raccoons, possums,foxes, snakes, and even other pets can be predators, so ensure yourchickens have a safe space.
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Climate & Seasons
Moisture and rainVentilation vs. draftsFresh, dry beddingShade
Ensure your flock is protected for differentseasonal and weather changes. Consider:
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Recap: ShelterChecklistNo matter what type of shelter youchoose, your chickens must have:
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Predator Protection
Adequate Spacing Access
Weather Protection
Ventillation Nest Boxes
Roosts
Ordinance Compliance
Health & IllnessKeeping your flock healthy.
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Quick Guide: Chicken Health
Dust BathsThis is how chickens keep clean. Be sure yourflock has access to fine sand, dirt, or peat mossfor bathing.
Clipping WingsOptional to help keep birds safe in your yard,especially if you have a shorter fence. Clip onlyflight feathers, one or both sides.
BiosecurityPractice good hygiene. Wash hands before andafter handling chickens. Minimize coop visitors.Regular coop cleaning.
Pecking OrderBirds peck one another to arrange social statusin flock. Do not intervene unless blood is drawnor there is serious injury.
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No Cause For ConcernBroody HensA hen who has decided to incubate eggs forhatching. If there is no rooster in flock, take stepstowards "breaking" broody to ensure the health ofhen.
Egg Laying ChangesHens may stop laying during certain times in theyear. Young layers = no shell or thin shells. Olderlayers = wrinkled, rough, or thin shells.
MoltingNormal feather loss for mature birds. This mayoccur every year, most often as daylight getsshorter.
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Sick Chicken GuideChickens don't get colds, they get diseases.
Chickens are hardy animals, but it's important to payclose attention to their normal habits andpersonalities. As prey animals, chickens hide signsof illness for as long as possible. This means if younotice something off, there could be somethingseriously wrong.
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Sick Chicken SymptomsThese are some key symptoms of sickchickens to keep your eyes out for:
CombDiscolor
"Dirty Pants"
(Diarrhea)
StoolDiscolor
Lethargy
Not Eating orDrinking
Fluffed UpHunched
Over
Puffy Face
CropIssues
Limping
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Sick Chicken ResourcesIt's important to decide what you will do when andif your chickens get sick. Approaches to illness canrange from paying for vet care to culling ill birds.You choose what is right for you and your flock.
Chicken First Aid Kit
Chicken Keeping Reference Books
Online Forums
Feed Store- Livestock Advice
Bird or Livestock Veternarian
Culling Sick Birds
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