Recent egg shortages and the high price of eggs have some people wondering if the cost of raising backyard chickens might be worth it to have a steady supply of eggs on demand.
Colorado State University (CSU) Extension specialists Alison O’Connor and Bailey Schilling answered common questions and shared tips people should know before investing in their own backyard chickens.
Schilling is the 4-H and livestock specialist for Larimer County and O’Connor, a horticulture specialist for Larimer County, has kept her own flock for more than 10 years. They say the initial financial investment for birds and supplies can be significant — not to mention the time and effort of caring for chickens every day. Upfront costs can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars, making even the inflated price of store-bought eggs seem reasonable.
“Since egg prices are declining, purchasing eggs at the store is likely less expensive,” O’Connor said. “But part of having backyard chickens is the joy of having them as part of your household — they are entertaining, have fun personalities and are often considered to be pets.”
Here are a few things to consider before starting your own flock and some Extension resources should you decide to pursue a backyard brood.
1. Know the rules of the roost.
Municipalities set their own urban livestock regulations, so check the rules where you live. Most urban areas have limits on how many chickens are allowed. If your home is within town limits, you will often need to apply for a permit and pay a onetime fee.
Roosters often are not allowed within city limits, so be careful when buying birds. At farm and ranch stores, there’s a 50 percent chance that chicks labeled as “straight run” will be roosters. Hatcheries generally try to identify the sex of the chicks, but it’s a difficult, skilled process.
Many homeowners associations forbid backyard chickens, so if you have a homeowners association, make sure it allows them.
Pro tip: Have a conversation with your neighbors about your plans.
Most communities have space requirements and other regulations for backyard chickens. Chickens need a coop with nesting boxes and space to move around, ideally within an enclosed pen or run.
2. Space and shelter needs.
Chickens need protection from predators, pets and the elements. Coops should be weather-proof, properly ventilated and provide a minimum of 2 square feet per bird.(Some larger coops may require a building permit.) Coops should include nesting boxes — 18 inches by 18 inches or slightly larger — where the chickens will lay their eggs.
Prevent attacks from dogs, cats, raccoons, skunks, foxes, birds of prey and other predators by shutting chickens in the coop at night.
For daytime, chickens also should have an enclosed and covered outdoor pen or run with a minimum of 5 to 8 square feet per bird. Enclosing and covering the run protects chickens from predators, the hot summer sun and infection from wild birds (see below for more on preventing avian flu). If chickens are allowed to “free range” in the yard during the day, make sure they always have access to food, water, shade and shelter.
Provide chickens with enough space so they don’t get stressed or start picking on each other. The chicken pecking order is real, and it can be brutal and lead to health issues.
Chickens have natural insulation — they wear down parkas year-round — but they can get frostbite if it’s extremely cold outside. Select the breeds that do well in your climate, and keep them in the coop on frigid days with negative temperatures.
Chickens require daily care, including food, water and shelter to protect them from predators, pets and the elements.
3. Backyard chicken care and supplies.
Chickens need to be fed and have fresh water every day, 365 days a year.
Provide them with a balanced diet of mostly chicken feed appropriate for their age (chick starter versus layer feed, which is higher in protein). Chickens can eat kitchen scraps, like vegetables and fruits, every day, but treats like scratch (corn and grains) and breads should be limited. Be sure to check that any kitchen scraps are safe for chickens.
In addition to shelter, protection and a nesting box with hay or straw, chickens need a place to exercise and dustbathe (typically with dirt or sand).
Keep the coop clean by scooping poop on a regular basis and controlling rodents, which are attracted to chicken feed.
Most daily chicken chores probably take less than 15 minutes unless you are cleaning the coop or run.
Raising chicks requires extra care and a heat lamp because they can’t regulate their body temperature. Your local Extension office has additional resources on caring for chicks.
A 50-pound bag of layer feed can cost $15 to $20 and will feed four to six chickens for about a month, depending on how hungry the chickens are and how much they waste.
4. Prevent avian flu and other health issues.
Biosecurity is important, especially right now with the widespread outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza, or HPAI, which is a serious threat to backyard flocks.
Take precautions to keep your chickens safe by limiting their contact with wild birds and their droppings. Keep the coop clean, and wear shoes, clothes and gloves that are used only for chicken duties.
Watch your birds for any signs of illness. It can be difficult to find a veterinarian that works with poultry, so it’s wise to identify one before you need it. CSU’s Avian Health Hotline — (970) 297-4008 — can help answer general questions and explain disease testing options.
For your health, always wash your hands after collecting eggs, handling chickens, or cleaning the coop or run.
5. Egg production and safety.
Many laying hens will lay an egg a day, but it depends on the breed. Some chickens have been bred to produce a lot of eggs; others lay two to three eggs a week. Chickens lay the most eggs in spring and summer when the days are longer.
Egg size and color also vary by breed. Ameraucanas lay blue or green eggs, and Marans produce the darkest chocolate brown eggs. The white eggs commonly found at the grocery store are usually from white leghorns, which can lay 280-300 eggs per year.
Laying hens start producing eggs when they are about six months old and lay consistently until they are about 2 years old, then egg production declines. Chickens can live to be 8 to 10 years old.
When eggs are laid, they have a “bloom,” a coating that protects them from bacteria and other contaminants. Washing this off makes the eggshell porous, which is why washed eggs need to be refrigerated. Wash eggs with warm water and dry with a clean towel before putting them in the fridge. The risk of salmonella is minimal with good hygiene. Eggs can be safely consumed 4-5 weeks after the date they were laid.
Do your research
Still interested in bringing chickens home to roost?
O’Connor and Schilling recommend talking to other chicken owners and doing as much research as possible first.
Extension resources include:
• Bunning, M. Shackelton, E. Avens, J. (2021, February). Home-produced Chicken Eggs. https://extension.colostate.edu/docs/pubs/foodnut/09377.pdf.
• Enos, HL. (1974, January; revised 2019, December). Raising Poultry the Organic Way – Disease Control and Feeding. https://extension.colostate.edu/docs/pubs/livestk/02507.pdf.
• Deloss, J. (2025, April 10). Protecting the Flock: How to prevent avian flu and other diseases in backyard chickens. https://source.colostate.edu/backyard-chickens-avian-flu/.
Best backyard chicken breeds
O’Connor advises that some of the best breeds for backyard flocks are Orpingtons, Ameraucanas, Rhode Island Reds, Sussex, Plymouth Rock, Wyandottes and Australorps. All these breeds are friendly, quiet, good egg layers and tolerant to cold and warm weather. They also come in various colors, so you can keep track of individual birds.
However, as O’Connor pointed out, you can also identify them by their individual personalities.
Email list
Do you want to be added to our email distribution list to learn about upcoming programs and the latest resources? Email cindi.galabota@colostate.edu to be added to our list.
Or, to learn more about the many programs, resources and services offered by Colorado State University (CSU) Extension, visit https://extension.colostate.edu.
Field to Freezer Course
Colorado Parks and Wildlife will be holding its Field to Freezer Course on May 16 and 17 at the CSU Extension building located at 344 U.S. 84.
Trained professionals will teach you how to responsibly care for and process the meat from any big game ungulate in Colorado. Participants must be at least 16 years old. Visit https://forms.gle/owfhB5R8PTpYYHGGA to register.
There are limited spots available. Applications are due by May 9.
Vermiculture workshop
Join Galabota for a fun, hands-on and engaging Vermiculture Workshop. Learn all about the vital role worms play in healthy soils and build your own worm composting bin.
It is set for 10 a.m. on June 28 at the CSU Extension Building at 344 U.S. 84. There is a $20 materials fee. RSVP at (970) 264-5931 or https://archuleta.extension.colostate.edu/.
CPR and first aid classes
CPR and first aid certification classes are offered every other month at the CSU Extension office, generally on the third Monday and Wednesday from 6 to 10 p.m. The cost for the classes is $80 for combined CPR/first aid and $55 for CPR, first aid or recertification. Call the Extension office at (970) 264-5931 to register.
Check out the online option on our website, https://archuleta.extension.colostate.edu/.
