Can You Legally Own Backyard Chickens In Iowa Or Illinois?

More people are getting chickens due to egg prices.

At this point, if you have scrambled eggs during the week, it's a sign you're a millionaire. Bird flu has taken a massive toll on hens across the country, thus taking a massive toll on egg prices.

Because of this, more people are buying chickens to keep in their backyards to get eggs "free". But before you go buy a whole bird flu-free flock of these things, we need to make sure your obnoxious neighbor doesn't have a legal foundation should they choose to report you.

Iowa Law

The good news: yes, it's legal to own backyard chickens in Iowa. However, every city has different ordinances involving owning chickens. For example, here's Davenport's rules:

• Limit of 6 hens (no roosters)
• Requires a permit
• Must take a class on raising urban chickens
• Requires a site plan showing location of coop
• Coop must be at least 25 feet away from any dwelling
• Must have permission from the owner if they don't live in the dwelling

Cities have their own approaches to owning chickens but you need to check with your city first before you go buy an entire KFC bucket worth of chickens.

Illinois Laws

Illinois is much in the same boat. Yes, statewide, you can legally raise chickens in your backyard but your cities will have ordinances on them.

In Moline, here are a few of the backyard chicken requirements:

• Apply for it and pay a $25 fee
• Live in a single-family home
• Only 6 hens allowed and also no roosters
• Take a class on raising hens in an urban setting

There are a few more, but you get the point. Moline, Davenport, and many other cities allow it but for zoning purposes, you really need to cross your T's and dot your I's.

Remember, your HOA's could have something to say about the chickens. If you really care what they think.