With rising egg costs, it might be enticing to invest in a chicken coop for unlimited egg access. But raising backyard chickens is a commitment, and it’s especially important to understand the ins and outs during an avian influenza outbreak.

So before you hit “add to cart” on your chicken coop, consider the following safety tips, local regulations, and costs around raising chickens at home. Fully understanding what you’re getting into could be the difference between a thriving coop and a feathery fiasco.

Safety Guidelines

The USDA and the CDC have released similar guidelines to help keep backyard poultry households free from harmful pathogens. You may think you can avoid the current flu outbreak with your chickens, but the virus can easily make it into your yard. 

Here are extra precautions to consider if you want to raise chickens, which should be followed at all times—not just during an outbreak:

• Disinfect everything: Keep shoes, hands, and tools clean and disinfected at all times before and after handling chickens. Have guests wear shoe covers and limit their contact with the birds and eggs. 
• Keep birds isolated: Prevent your birds from coming in contact with wild birds or animals. If you’re around other birds, change clothing and shoes (then disinfect them) before handling your flock. 
• Monitor for signs of illness: Signs of avian flu include sneezing, nasal discharge, diarrhea, lethargy, reduced appetite, swelling, or sudden death. If any of these happen, call a local vet or the USDA immediately (1-866-536-7593).

Local Regulations

There’s another factor to consider before buying that chicken coop. Are you even allowed to have chickens? There are federal, state, and local regulations you’ll need to abide by to have legal (and healthy) birds in your yard.

For example, some cities and towns may ban all backyard coops. Others may limit the size of the flock, the size of the coop, and where the coop can be located on the property. 

Once you have clearance from local officials, you must import legal chickens or eggs. For example, NYS mandates all poultry or eggs coming into the state to be certified U.S. Pullorum-Typhoid Clean and U.S. H5/H7 Avian Influenza Clean.

Costs

Yes, eggs at the store are expensive but so is raising chickens. One viral chicken coop at Costco sells for between $1,700 and $1,900 (in-store vs. online price), and that is only one cost of entry. You’ll need to buy chickens, feed, and other supplies. 

If you aren’t positive on committing, you can use Rent the Chicken to try it out. Rentals range from $500 to $1,200 for six months. This service will give you a coop, supplies, and at least two chickens you can buy out at the end if the process is ideal for you.