by Hannah Johnson
Raising backyard chickens is no longer limited to those who live on a farm. Without a doubt, it is a fast-growing hobby within our local communities. With the rise of egg prices, more people are considering getting their own small flock of chickens. Whether you live in the country with wide open spaces or live in the suburbs, chicken farming is a popular hobby that reaps the health benefits of fresh eggs.
If you are considering getting chickens, here are some helpful tips:
- Fresh eggs can last for weeks at room temperature on your kitchen counter if they have not yet been washed. Once you wash your eggs, however, make sure they are fully dried before placing in the refrigerator.
- How do you wash eggs? First rinse with warm water, and then use a washcloth to lightly rub off any debris or residue.
- In the winter months, make sure you have a heated waterer so that you don’t have to refill water every day.
- Lastly, bring home a variety of hens if you want different colored eggs. Check with the chicken provider to see if certain breeds don’t get along.
Did you know? The color of an eggshell has everything to do with the chicken’s genetics, i.e. the breed of hen. Interestingly, eggshell color can be predicted by the ear color of the hen laying the egg! Also worth noting, the color of the eggshell has no bearing on the quality of the yolk. Rather, the yolk better reflects the quality of a chicken’s life and thus, the nutrients in the egg.
Below is a list of cities in the St. Paul and Minneapolis metro that allow chickens. Click the city to learn more about their regulations.
- Blaine
- Brooklyn Center
- Circle Pines
- Eden Prairie
- Golden Valley
- Hopkins
- Lexington
- Little Canada
- Maple Grove
- Maplewood
- Minneapolis
- Minnetonka
- Mounds View
- New Brighton
- New Hope
- Oakdale
- Osseo
- Ramsey
- Shoreview
- St. Paul
- Stillwater
- Woodbury
Note that this is not an exhaustive list and these links are accurate at the time of this writing.
Read on for more fun facts noted by the Larry Schultz Organic Farm. In addition, resources and more detailed information for beginners on raising backyard chickens can be found via the University of Minnesota. Already experienced in raising chickens? If so, we’d love to hear stories – post on our socials or let us know here!