Cooped up: Why raising urban chickens may take time to pay off
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Raising chickens has increased in popularity among Americans as a means to save money on food costs, increase self-sufficiency and avoid high egg prices.
- For many, it also produces eggs that are a healthier alternative to in-store options, avoids certain practices that can lead to disease and reduces pests and insects in gardens.
What they're saying: "The world is changing because of climate change, viruses and practices that don't help support resilient animals," said Jamie Chan, a San Francisco native who's executive director of the Planet Bee Foundation. "The urgency to have secure food resources like this is perhaps greater also because of the occurrence of (food) shortages."
Zoom in: While the San Francisco Environment Department doesn't track the number of backyard chickens, the city limits residents to four hens and prohibits roosters.
- No permit is required, but coops must be at least 20 feet away from any entrance or window of a residential building, according to health code standards.
By the numbers: 11 million U.S. households now have backyard chickens — a 28% increase from 2023, according to the American Pet Products Association.
Between the lines: Though egg production rates vary, Chan said, chickens in their prime can produce one egg per day over an 18- to 24-month period. Other experts have told Axios two hens can produce anywhere between 48 to 84 eggs over six months.
- Chickens take breaks during the winter. Production also tends to slow as they age. New chicken farmers can expect to see their flocks begin production within a few months, Chan said.
Yes, but: Caring for the birds instead of buying eggs at the store can still be expensive. Supplies for food, upkeep and a coop to get started with just two hens can cost about $600, excluding the cost of the birds themselves.
- Chickens are also susceptible to viruses like the bird flu, fleas and other health issues, which is why vaccinations, clean living conditions and protecting a flock from contact with wild animals is important to reducing risks.
- Though urban settings like San Francisco tend to have lower disease transmission risks compared with large farming operations, Chan said, it's also important to secure coops from predators such as raccoons and coyotes.
The bottom line: "If we all had our own food security in our own backyards, we would actually be a more resilient community. So maybe it doesn't need to be considered a trend. It needs to be considered as a plan for making our city a much more sustainable and food sovereign place," Chan added.
What's next: You can learn more about raising urban chickens in San Francisco at a May 3 workshop. Tickets start at $27.