Raising Backyard Chickens in Redlands, CA
A Guide to Urban Poultry Farming
Raising backyard chickens has become an increasingly popular practice among residents of Redlands, CA. The city has recognized the trend and responded by setting specific guidelines to regulate urban farming activities. These regulations ensure that the hobby can be enjoyed without causing disruptions to the community. Understanding and adhering to these rules is crucial for any resident considering starting their own backyard coop.
Residents of Redlands are allowed to keep chickens within their backyards under certain conditions, aimed at maintaining the harmony and cleanliness of the neighborhood. The local ordinances specify the number of chickens permitted based on property size, as well as the prohibition of roosters in certain zones to minimize noise issues. As with any city ordinance, these guidelines are subject to change, so it is important for prospective and current chicken owners to stay informed about the latest requirements.
With a focus on humane treatment and neighborhood compatibility, the regulations in Redlands represent a balance between the desire of individuals to engage in small-scale, sustainable agriculture and the rights of neighbors to enjoy their own properties undisturbed. For those interested in embarking on the venture of raising backyard chickens, it requires a commitment to both the well-being of the animals and the adherence to municipal codes designed to protect the interests of the entire community.
Understanding Local Ordinances
When raising backyard chickens in Redlands, CA, residents must navigate a series of local ordinances. These rules are designed to ensure community standards and animal welfare are upheld.
Zoning Regulations
In Redlands, zoning regulations govern the keeping of backyard chickens. Chickens are typically permissible in residential areas, but it is essential to verify with specific local zoning ordinances. One must check with the Redlands city office for any updates or changes that could affect their ability to keep chickens.
Permits and Restrictions
The city imposes certain permits and restrictions to regulate backyard chickens:
Annual Permit Fee: Residents may be required to pay an annual fee to keep any number of hens.
Enclosure Requirements: Chickens must be securely enclosed in a yard or pen at all times, as per municipal code.
Violations of these conditions can result in penalties or the involvement of animal control.
San Bernardino County Rules
Redlands falls within San Bernardino County, which means county-level regulations can also come into play. Residents should ensure their practices align with both city and county rules to avoid violations. It is advisable to consult with the San Bernardino County officials to understand any overarching regulations that may impact the keeping of backyard chickens in Redlands.
Setting Up Your Chicken Coop
Before bringing chickens into your backyard, understanding the key factors in setting up a chicken coop in Redlands, CA is essential. These include selecting the optimal location, designing the coop for comfort and functionality, ensuring adequate nesting spaces and roosts, and guaranteeing protection from predators.
Choosing the Right Location
The right location for a chicken coop on your property in Redlands is critical for the health and well-being of your chickens. It should offer:
Sunlight: A spot that receives plenty of natural light but also provides shade, especially crucial during the hot California summers.
Drainage: Elevated ground to prevent water accumulation and ensure a dry coop.
Accessibility: Easy access for both caretakers and chickens, ideally close to your home for quick egg collection and coop maintenance.
Coop Size and Design
The design of the chicken coop should address both space and functional needs:
Space per Chicken: At least 2-3 square feet inside the coop and 8-10 square feet in the outdoor run per bird.
Ventilation: Adequate airflow to combat Redlands' warm climate, without creating strong drafts.
A table outlining the minimum space requirements:
Number of Chickens Coop Size (sq ft) Run Size (sq ft) 5 10-15 40-50 10 20-30 80-100
Nesting Boxes and Roosts
Every coop needs well-constructed nesting boxes and roosts:
Nesting Boxes: One box for every 3-4 hens, placed in a quiet and dark area of the coop to encourage egg laying.
Roosts: Enough space for all chickens to roost comfortably at night, positioned higher than the boxes to adhere to the birds' natural instincts.
Security Against Predators
In Redlands, protecting your flock from predators is paramount:
Materials: Use predator-proof materials like hardware cloth instead of chicken wire.
Entry Points: Secure doors and ensure all entry points are reinforced at night.
Implementing measures like these will help maintain a safe environment for your backyard chickens.
Selecting Your Chickens
When raising backyard chickens in Redlands, CA, the selection process is crucial for a successful flock. One must consider breed characteristics, the purpose of raising chickens, and age at purchase to ensure harmony and productivity within the flock.
Understanding Chicken Breeds
Chicken breeds vary widely in their attributes. For a balanced backyard coop in Redlands, dual-purpose breeds, which are suitable for both egg production and meat, are often recommended. Popular dual-purpose breeds include:
Rhode Island Red: Hardy and excellent for egg-laying
Plymouth Rock: Known for its temperament and good egg yield
Meat breeds like the Cornish Cross grow quickly and provide ample meat, while breeds like the Leghorn are valued for their prolific egg-laying abilities.
Hens vs. Roosters
Choosing between hens and roosters depends on the intended purpose of raising chickens:
Hens: Ideal for consistent egg production. Redlands city ordinances should be checked for limits on flock size and any restrictions on keeping roosters.
Roosters: Typically kept for breeding or flock protection. They can be more aggressive and are often louder than hens, which could be subject to noise regulations.
Chicks or Pullets
While chicks require more care initially, they offer the advantage of growing into the environment and forming stronger bonds with their handlers. They should be fed an 18-20% protein starter feed until 8 weeks of age, transitioning to a 16-18% starter/grower feed until about 14 weeks.
Pullets are young hens that have not yet begun to lay eggs but are past the fragile chick stage. They are a suitable choice for those who wish to bypass the intensive rearing required for chicks and are seeking near-term egg production.
By carefully selecting chicken breeds and choosing appropriately between hens, roosters, chicks, or pullets, residents in Redlands, CA, can create a flourishing backyard flock that is compliant with local urban farming regulations.
Day-to-Day Care
Raising backyard chickens in Redlands, CA, requires attentive daily care to maintain their health and ensure a steady supply of fresh eggs. Adherence to local urban farming restrictions is also crucial to the well-being of the chickens and the community.
Feeding and Nutrition
Backyard chickens thrive on a balanced diet. They should be fed high-quality chicken feed that meets all their nutritional requirements. Layers' pellets are typically formulated to provide the necessary calcium for egg production. Chickens can also benefit from kitchen scraps and small amounts of leafy greens. It's important not to overfeed treats, as they should only complement the main feed.
Daily Feed Requirements per Hen:
Chick Starter: For chicks aged 0-8 weeks
Grower Feed: For chickens aged 8-20 weeks
Layer Feed: For chickens above 20 weeks
Water Supplies
Chickens need constant access to fresh, clean water. The water supply must be checked and replenished daily, ensuring that it remains uncontaminated. During hot weather, hens may consume up to twice the usual amount, so it's essential to provide adequate and scalable water supplies.
Recommended Waterers:
Nipple Waterers: Reduce contamination
Cup Waterers: Easy to clean
Automatic Systems: Can provide a constant supply
Routine Cleaning
Maintaining a clean environment is critical when raising backyard chickens. Their coop should be cleaned regularly to prevent the buildup of droppings and reduce the risk of disease. This involves removing soiled bedding, replacing it with fresh material, and sanitizing food and water containers. One should provide chickens with a space where they can take dust baths, as this helps them stay clean and parasite-free.
Cleaning Checklist:
Daily: Remove droppings and leftover food
Weekly: Change bedding and scrub feeders and waterers
Monthly: Comprehensive coop cleaning and inspection
Health and Wellness
Maintaining the health and wellness of backyard chickens in Redlands, CA requires knowledge of common diseases, attention to injury prevention and care, and routine veterinary checkups. The key to thriving flocks is proactive and informed management of these aspects.
Recognizing Common Diseases
Backyard chicken keepers should be vigilant about diseases such as Marek's disease, avian influenza, and coccidiosis. These conditions display distinct symptoms:
Marek's Disease: Weakness in the legs, paralysis, and irregular pupil size.
Avian Influenza: Respiratory distress, decreased egg production, and swelling of head, eyelids, and comb.
Coccidiosis: Bloody stool, lethargy, and ruffled feathers.
Prompt detection and management can prevent these diseases from spreading and maintain overall flock health.
Injury Prevention and Care
To prevent injuries, chickens require a safe and hazard-free environment:
Remove sharp objects and ensure enclosures are free of gaps and protrusions.
Injury Care: Clean minor wounds with saline solution and apply an appropriate antiseptic. Severe injuries necessitate immediate veterinarian intervention.
Chickens’ propensity for pecking and scratching necessitates regularly checking for potential sources of injury in their living space.
Regular Veterinary Checkups
Regular checkups by a veterinarian are imperative to consistently monitor and ensure chicken health. These should include:
Annual checkups: To assess overall health and identify any underlying issues.
Vaccination and deworming schedules: Vital for disease prevention and control within the flock.
A dedicated veterinarian specializing in poultry can provide tailored advice and treatment plans, safeguarding the wellbeing of backyard chickens.
Egg Handling
Proper egg handling is essential to ensure the safety and quality of fresh eggs from backyard chickens. By following best practices in collecting, cleaning, and storing, keepers can maintain egg integrity and maximize production.
Collecting and Cleaning
Daily Collection: Eggs should be collected daily to reduce the chances of them getting dirty or damaged. Nest boxes should be kept clean, and any bedding used should be changed regularly to minimize contamination.
Cleaning Process:
Dry Cleaning: Gently remove any dirt or droppings with a dry cloth or soft brush.
Wet Cleaning (if necessary): Use warm water which is around 20°F warmer than the egg temperature. This ensures pores on the eggshells closse, preventing bacteria from entering.
Sanitization: As an option, a food-safe sanitizer can be used followed by air-drying on a clean rack.
Egg Storage Techniques
Temperature and Humidity:
Refrigeration: Store eggs at or below 45°F, preferably in the main body of the fridge where the temperature is more consistent.
Humidity: Maintain high humidity in the storage area to keep eggs from losing moisture through their shells.
Positioning:
Pointy End Down: Keep eggs pointy end down to help maintain the egg's natural defenses against contamination.
Duration:
Refrigerated eggs are safe to consume for several weeks but are best used within 1 to 2 weeks for optimum quality.
Maximizing Egg Production
Light Exposure:
Chickens require 14-16 hours of light per day to consistently produce eggs. Use of supplemental lighting in the coop can help maintain production during shorter winter days.
Breed and Age Considerations:
Egg production is influenced by breed and the hen's age. Some breeds, on average, can produce 200-240 eggs or 17-20 dozen per hen annually.
Production peaks during the first 2 years and tends to decrease as the chicken ages.
Diet:
A balanced diet formulated for laying hens is vital for maintaining high-quality egg production. Proper nutrition impacts shell strength and yolk quality.
Breeding and Raising Chicks
Successful breeding and raising of backyard chickens in Redlands, CA, hinges on understanding incubation methods, providing diligent care to baby chicks, and navigating their growth stages with precision.
Incubation Practices
When hatching eggs, maintaining a consistent temperature and humidity within the incubator is critical. It is recommended to keep the temperature at 99.5°F and the humidity at approximately 50-55% during the first 18 days; for the last three days, humidity should be increased to 65-75%. Regularly turning the eggs ensures even development.
Caring for Baby Chicks
Immediately after hatching, baby chicks require a warm, safe environment. A brooder with ample space and warmth, usually around 95°F for the first week with a decrease of 5°F per week thereafter, is essential. Clean, fresh water and a starter feed with 18-20% protein content are required for their initial diet. It's also important to keep the brooder and the waterers clean to prevent disease.
Week 1-8: Starter feed with 18-20% protein
Week 8-14: Starter/grower feed with 16-18% protein
Week 15-18: Finisher feed with 16% protein
Growth Stages
Chicks progress through several growth stages before they mature into laying hens or roosters. During the first few weeks, they develop critical features like feathers. As they grow, their nutritional needs change. They will transition from the brooder to a chicken run or coop where they will need more space to accommodate their size. By 18 weeks, most breeds are nearing maturity and can be integrated with the adult flock, with proper introduction to avoid aggression issues.
Managing Your Flock
Proper management of a backyard chicken flock in Redlands, CA involves understanding flock dynamics, carefully introducing new birds, and handling aggression effectively to ensure a healthy and productive environment.
Flock Dynamics
Chickens establish a social hierarchy known as the "pecking order." The flock's dynamics affect overall harmony and egg production. Key points:
Adequate Space: Ensure there is enough room for each chicken, aiming for a minimum of 10 square feet per bird in the outdoor area to reduce stress and conflict.
Ventilation: Good airflow in the coop is vital for health but must be balanced with protection from predators such as coyotes and hawks, which are common in Redlands.
Introducing New Birds
When new chickens are introduced, disruptions in the social order can occur. To minimize issues:
Quarantine: Keep new birds separate for at least 30 days to monitor health.
Gradual Integration: Allow chickens to see and interact without physical contact for several days before mixing them.
Handling Aggression
Aggression can be a challenge in any flock. Effective strategies include:
Identify Triggers: Observe the flock to determine causes of aggression, such as competition for food or nesting sites.
Provide Resources: Multiple feeding and watering stations, along with ample nesting boxes (one per every 4-5 hens), can alleviate contention points.
By applying these management techniques, keepers can maintain a thriving flock in Redlands, ensuring the safety and wellbeing of their chickens.
Community and Legal Issues
When raising backyard chickens in Redlands, California, residents must navigate various community and legal challenges. Understanding local regulations and maintaining good relationships with neighbors are crucial for a harmonious experience.
Dealing with Neighbors
Maintaining a positive relationship with neighbors is essential when keeping chickens. It involves respectful communication and adhering to local noise ordinances to avoid disturbance from roosters. Residents should also implement waste management practices to prevent attracting pests like rats.
Handling Complaints
In Redlands, complaints regarding backyard chickens are typically addressed by local animal control or city officials. Residents should respond promptly and collaborate with authorities to resolve any issues, which might include noise or odor complaints, or the attraction of predatory animals.
Livestock vs. Pets
Regulations in Redlands distinguish between livestock and pets. Backyard poultry might fall under either category, affecting their legal standing. Chickens, like geese and ducks, are often categorized as livestock and are subject to specific zoning laws that do not apply to typical household pets.
Advanced Topics
In raising backyard chickens, there are several topics that require a deeper understanding and expertise. These advanced topics can help Redlands, CA residents optimize their flock's health and their own enjoyment of urban poultry farming.
Sustainable Practices
Sustainable practices in chicken keeping not only benefit the environment but also lead to healthier flocks and potentially lower costs over time. In Redlands, adherents to urban farming limits can still employ a range of sustainable tactics. They can implement rotational grazing to preserve grass and soil health, recycle kitchen scraps as chicken feed, and use chicken manure as compost for gardens, which enriches soil fertility without synthetic fertilizers. Residents must ensure that these practices comply with local regulations regarding waste management and urban farming.
Engaging with Chicken Communities Online
Participation in online chicken communities provides members with a wealth of knowledge and support for backyard chicken raising. Platforms like iOS forums and other poultry-related websites allow enthusiasts to conduct polls, share experiences, and access valuable advice on more advanced chicken care topics. It's also a great way to stay informed on any local ordinance changes or community events related to backyard poultry in the Redlands area.
Key Online Resource Description Poultry Forums For discussion, problem-solving, and sharing success stories Social Media Groups To connect with local and global chicken enthusiasts Educational Websites For in-depth articles, guides, and best practices on poultry keeping
Participating in Poultry Shows
Participating in poultry shows can elevate one's chicken raising experience from hobby to competitive passion. Residents of Redlands may need to travel, as local opportunities can be limited due to urban farming restrictions. Preparing chickens for shows involves careful breeding for desired traits, understanding show standards, and meticulous grooming. Novices in the show circuit can start by visiting shows to observe and learn before deciding to participate with their own birds.
Preparation Phase Key Considerations Breeding Focus on health, temperament, and breed standards Grooming Regular bathing, feather care, and nail trimming Show Standards Familiarize with the specific requirements for chicken breeds
This section provides an overview of more complex aspects of backyard poultry keeping, with a focus on practices that enhance sustainability, community engagement, and the showcasing of one's birds.
Helpful Resources
When raising backyard chickens in Redlands, CA, poultry enthusiasts might encounter questions or seek advice on best practices. The following resources are invaluable for both novice and experienced chicken keepers to ensure the health and productivity of their flocks.
FAQs and Troubleshooting
For those purchasing chicks and dealing with the myriad of questions that arise, a structured FAQs section on a dedicated urban farming website can be a treasure trove of information. These frequently asked questions often address common concerns, such as feeding regimens, coop maintenance, and hen health. Many of these websites also provide a troubleshooting guide to quickly resolve common issues.
Online Forums and Threads
Online forums offer real-time advice from fellow chicken enthusiasts. Threads specific to backyard chicken care in Redlands can be found on platforms like BackYard Chickens. Members of these forums often share personal experiences, offering a blend of wisdom and practical tips that can be especially helpful for beginners looking to connect with more seasoned poultry keepers.
Local Poultry Clubs
Joining a local poultry club can provide direct access to a community of like-minded individuals. Such clubs often conduct regular meetings, provide newsletters, and offer opportunities for members to learn from each other. They can also be a resource for purchasing chicks from reputable sources or for seeking advice on specific local challenges related to raising chickens in the Redlands area.
