Concern

Often, the first thing people think about when hearing a neighbor is going to raise chickens is that they will be woken up at four a.m. by a rooster crowing.

Facts

Hens are relatively quiet animals, particularly in small flocks, especially when compared to other common household pets. The only noise hens produce is soft clacking and the ‘egg song’ to announce that they have just laid an egg, and to draw potential predators’ attention away from the nest.

Roosters are the main source of neighbor concerns when it comes to backyard chicken noise, especially in cities and in densely populated residential areas.

How to Address

Most towns in Connecticut that permit backyard chickens prohibit the keeping of roosters completely (48) or only allow them on larger lots (29) Vidich & Beckett, 2025. Urban and suburban areas are more likely to prohibit roosters than rural areas.

Most towns limit the size of the overall flock as well. This can be done either as a fixed number limit or tie the number to lot size, with more land allowing for larger flocks. Depending on lot sizes and proximity in a particular area, noise can also be reduced by requiring setbacks from property lines and/or using solid fencing, shrubbery, and hedges around chicken coops.

Concern

Residents may worry that chicken manure will stink up the neighborhood, attract pests, and cause the spread of disease.

Facts

The odor and health concerns associated with manure can be managed by common maintenance and sanitation practices. Proper storage of feed and waste in secure, closed containers helps to prevent fleas and rodents Chartier, 2022. Chicken waste, unlike that of other common household pets, can be composted into a high-quality garden fertilizer. A minority of towns (30) address manure concerns in their regulations Vidich & Beckett, 2025.

How to Address

The few towns that do address manure concerns require that chicken coops be odor free and sanitary ,and/or require setbacks from property lines, dwellings, wells, or waterbodies.

Other approaches that could be considered include referencing he Connecticut state public health code, which requires that chicken manure be ‘stored, managed, and disposed of in a manner which will minimize and control the breeding of flies and vermin, minimize and control offensive odors, and not create a threat to the environment or public health, or constitute a public nuisance’. Sec. 22-323a-6. Manure management.

Towns may also consider requiring that the chicken coop and/or enclosure be cleaned at least once a week during the warmer months (May 1 to October 1), and at intervals sufficient to maintain sanitary conditions during the rest of the year or allow for deep-litter composting.

When deep-litter composting is allowed, pine shavings and straw should be regularly added to chicken coop and the run to cover older layers of litter. Manure compost should be kept covered and kept in leak-proof containers whenever possible.

Backyard chicken owners should also refer the UConn Extension Fact Sheet Backyard Poultry: A Quick Look at Raising Healthy Birds for best practices.

Concern

Backyard chickens are often promoted for the environmental benefits associated with local food production, but concerns are often raised about their potential contribution of pollutants to drinking water sources and water bodies.

Facts

Chicken manure, which is high in nitrogen and phosphorus, could negatively impact private wells (groundwater) or water bodies if not properly located and managed. If located too close to a water body or well and not properly contained, manure can enter through stormwater runoff or impact private drinking wells.

Chicken coops located within the leaching field of a septic system can negatively impact that system’s functioning. At the time of this publication, only seven municipalities in the state have setbacks from streams and rivers and only five have setbacks from wells Vidich & Beckett, 2025. Six municipalities do not allow chicken coops over septic system leaching fields.

How to Address

The best practice is for chicken coop enclosures and manure management areas to be located at least 75 ft downgradient from a well, at least 100 feet from wetlands or water bodies, and outside of a septic leaching field.

Outdoor runs should not be situated in locations where surface runoff into streams or other water bodies is frequently observed. Good manure maintenance practices can be effective in reducing environmental threats, but local regulations requiring those practices may be challenging to monitor and enforce.

Concern

Chickens and other poultry species can carry pathogens, commonly called harmful germs, that have the potential to cause illness in people, including Salmonella, Campylobacter, E. coli, and Avian Influenza. Some of these germs, like E. coli, occur naturally in the digestive tract of poultry, livestock, and people. Other pathogens, like highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), are most commonly spread through interaction with other species, like migratory birds.

Facts

Adult poultry should not be kept inside a home or apartment. People caring for birds should always wash their hands after handling their animals, poultry manure, and objects that the flock interacts with, such as feeders and water systems.

Poultry owners should dedicate one pair of boots for working with chickens that are not worn inside their homes or off property. They should also change any clothes that have been soiled by manure.

As younger (<five years of age), older, and pregnant individuals are at heightened risk for zoonotic infections, these people should take extra caution when interacting with poultry CDC, 2024. This can be of particular concern when processing backyard poultry, as diseased birds may appear healthy, and improper processing can expose humans and other animals to health risks.

Improperly managed poultry processing can lead to odor complaints, attract vermin and scavengers such as raccoons and rodents, and potentially contaminate nearby water sources through runoff.

How to Address

Public health risks presented by domestic poultry can be mitigated by requiring proper biosecurity and hygiene practices. However, enforcing safe handling practices is difficult to accomplish strictly through zoning regulations.

A few municipalities address these indirectly through requirements discussed elsewhere in this fact sheet, such as setbacks, strong and clear containment requirements, and general sanitary condition requirements.

Municipalities can also work with public health officials and others to reference recommended public health protection in zoning regulations and can make educational resources available to poultry owners. For example, the UConn Extension fact sheet 10 Tips for New Poultry Owners: Promoting Healthy Flocks and Families can be provided when granting poultry permits.

When processing chickens, backyard keepers should be encouraged or required by local health regulations to follow science-based biosecurity protocols, including cleaning and disinfection of processing areas, restricting contact with wild birds, using protective clothing, regular handwashing, and limiting processing to designated, sanitary areas with adequate drainage and away from wells, septic systems, or stormwater pathways.

All activities should align with the guidelines outlined in the Connecticut Department of Agriculture’s USDA-exempt poultry processing program.

Concern

Free-roaming chickens can become a nuisance when they wander into neighboring yards, sometimes damaging vegetable gardens or fragile landscapes, and depositing manure on lawns and sidewalks.

Chicken coops can also attract bears, bobcats, and other predatory wildlife. Roaming chickens may further pose a safety risk on roads or potentially transmit diseases through interactions with other animals and unsanitary environments.

Facts

Chickens kept within fenced structures that are enclosed from all sides, including from above, can keep them safe and avoid potentially hazardous or disease-spreading interactions with predators, wildlife, and neighborhood pets.

Fencing should be sufficient to prevent escape or predator entry and should be adequately maintained Henry et al., 2023. However, nearly 40% of municipalities that allow backyard chickens (43 of 111) do NOT require fencing Vidich & Beckett, 2025. As might be expected, fencing is more often required in more urbanized areas Vidich & Beckett,2025. Beyond fencing, food stored in airtight, secure containers or areas can help reduce attracting wildlife and pests.

How to Address

Local regulations should prescribe containment standards to ensure no interaction with other animals, and prevent any nuisance issues associated with roaming.

A slight majority of towns in Connecticut that allow for the keeping of backyard chickens require that chickens be enclosed and/or protected from predators and stipulate standards of varying requirements for enclosure.

Coops should be securely built with sturdy materials. Coop openings should be covered with chicken wire or hardwire cloth and doors secured with latches to keep predators such as raccoons, foxes, and hawks away Upadhyaya, 2025. In areas with larger predators like bears, coyotes, and bobcats, electric fencing may be the only effective deterrent to wildlife interactions.

More information on bear-proof electric fencing can be found here.

Concern

Residents may be concerned about the welfare of backyard chickens, particularly when raised by new owners who may not be aware of the proper care, maintenance, and facilities needed to support a backyard flock.

Facts

Quality, uncontaminated feed and clean water should be provided. Having just one chicken is not recommended, as chickens are social creatures that like to flock together. Chickens should have access to indoor and outdoor areas, with around two to four feet per bird inside the coop.

Only 12 municipalities in Connecticut specify minimum space requirements, and flock sizes are either fixed numbers applying to all parcels, or based on lot size rather than pasture area Vidich & Beckett, 2025.

Providing more space per chicken may slow manure build-up and associated odors, as well as support normal chicken behaviour (Poultry Extension, n.d.). Although adult chickens may not require supplemental heat in the wintertime, housing should be secure and not allow drafts or precipitation to permeate.

Additional information can be found by visiting Backyard Poultry: A Quick Look at Raising Healthy Birds | Extension News and Publications

How to Address

Zoning regulations should specify minimum and maximum numbers of birds allowed and set coop size requirements based on a minimum of two to four feet of space per allowed bird. Overall flock numbers could be tied to the size of the enclosed area available to chickens rather than lot size. Enclosure requirements should ensure the safety of birds and prevent their interaction with wildlife and predators (see containment and enclosure section).

Concern

It is not unusual for concerns to arise regarding the potential depreciation of property values from backyard chickens.

Facts

These problems can often be solved through enforceable local regulation as outlined above, thus promoting responsible chicken keeping. The proper placement of chicken coops and pastures on a property can also help to reduce these concerns.

The majority of municipalities (67%) in the state do not specify a location on a property for backyard chicken coops beyond normal property setbacks Vidich & Beckett, 2025. Some communities may not consider chicken coops a negative.

How to Address

Municipal regulations relating to coop maintenance, number of chickens, noise control, and public health would reassure residents, protect property values, and still allow residents to enjoy the many benefits of being a backyard poultry owner.

Furthermore, limiting the location of the chicken coop and other enclosures to rear of the property or in locations that cannot be seen from the public street can help reduce visual appearance concerns.

Concern

Municipalities sometimes face challenges in deciding whether to allow the sale of surplus eggs from backyard flocks, or to restrict them solely to personal use. The main concern is that improper handling or storage could create public health risks.

Since this factsheet is focused on chickens raised in residential lots for non-commercial use, we do not address egg sales. However, individuals interested in selling eggs can refer to the Connecticut Voluntary Shell Egg Program Guidelines CT DoAg Shell Egg Program PDF. 2021, CT DoAg in resource section below.

Even so, consumers should always follow safe food handling practices to prevent foodborne illness. Eggs should be clean, kept refrigerated at 45°F or below, and cooked or otherwise processed appropriately to ensure they are safe to eat.

The information in this document is for educational purposes only. The recommendations contained are based on the best available knowledge at the time of publication. Any reference to commercial products, trade or brand names is for information only, and no endorsement or approval is intended. UConn Extension does not guarantee or warrant the standard of any product referenced or imply approval of the product to the exclusion of others which also may be available. The University of Connecticut, UConn Extension, College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources is an equal opportunity program provider and employer.