Can I keep backyard chickens where I live?

It depends on two layers. States and countries can require registration and set bird-flu and welfare rules. In 50 of the 96 places we've checked, the law we read also gives a named local body (a city, county, town or board) its own powers over where hens can live, and each page names it and how to check. Check your local code before you get hens.

Do I need to register my backyard flock?

In 16 of the 96 places we've checked, some keepers must register, and in 30 more a rule applies with conditions. Each page says who the rule covers and quotes the official text it comes from.

Do I have to keep my hens indoors for bird flu?

Housing orders come and go, so we never show one as current. Each page shows the bird-flu powers we found and, where we've confirmed one, the official page for today's status; PoultryPal's bird-flu tracker has the latest we've checked for the US states it covers.

What about roosters, flock size and coop rules?

Where a state or national law we read sets one, its page quotes it. Local ordinances and zoning, HOA rules, and local rooster or coop limits aren't covered yet, so check your local code too.

Which places have you checked?

49 US states, 20 provinces, states, territories and nations in Canada, Australia and the UK, and 27 countries so far (Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, Colombia, Denmark, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Indonesia, Italy, Kenya, Liechtenstein, Malaysia, Mexico, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Thailand, Türkiye, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, Vietnam). Places shown grey on the map are not yet checked for keeping; most have their selling rules on the egg-selling map.

Can you keep backyard chickens?

49 US states
20 regions in Canada, Australia and the UK
27 countries
2,939 passages quoted
Last checked October 27, 2026

Ask the map

Blue means set locally: the state or national law we read gives a named local body (a city, county, town or board) its own powers over where hens can live. Open a place to see who decides and how to check. Hatched means we read the sources and they don't settle it, or we're rechecking: not a yes, not a no. Grey means not checked yet. Stripes show the mix when places in one country answer differently. Tap in.

Recorded answers set the color, except 'Restricted in practice', which marks quoted registration, licensing or food-safety limits where no keeping rule is settled. Missing or unconfirmed answers are not permission.

Maps: Natural Earth; US states: U.S. Census Bureau

102 places · Keeping hens

The Coop Desk

Thinking about hens? Start with two questions: do you have to register them, and who decides if they can live at your place? We read what states and countries set: registration, bird-flu powers and welfare rules. In 50 of the 96 places we've read, that law also gives a named local body its own powers over where hens can live, so we name who decides and how to check. Every rule we state quotes the official text it comes from, with the date we checked it.

The big picture

Across the 96 places we've read (49 US states, 20 provinces, states, territories and nations in Canada, Australia and the UK, and 27 countries' national rules):

16 of 96
require some keepers to register, for the scope each page shows.
30 of 96
have a registration, licence or notification rule where conditions decide who it covers.
50 of 96
give a named local body its own powers over where hens can live; each page names who decides and how to check.
50 of 96
don't settle registration in the sources we read, so we don't guess.

A place can be in more than one box: a state can require registration and also give a local body powers over where hens can live.

Every place we've checked

United States

Canada

Australia

UK

Countries

Not here yet: the US state of Georgia and parts of Canada show grey on the keeping map while we check them. Most already have their egg-selling rules on the egg-selling map.

From the first chick on

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Common questions

Can I keep backyard chickens where I live?: It depends on two layers. States and countries can require registration and set bird-flu and welfare rules. In 50 of the 96 places we've checked, the law we read also gives a named local body (a city, county, town or board) its own powers over where hens can live, and each page names it and how to check. Check your local code before you get hens.
Do I need to register my backyard flock?: In 16 of the 96 places we've checked, some keepers must register, and in 30 more a rule applies with conditions. Each page says who the rule covers and quotes the official text it comes from.
Do I have to keep my hens indoors for bird flu?: Housing orders come and go, so we never show one as current. Each page shows the bird-flu powers we found and, where we've confirmed one, the official page for today's status; PoultryPal's bird-flu tracker has the latest we've checked for the US states it covers.
What about roosters, flock size and coop rules?: Where a state or national law we read sets one, its page quotes it. Local ordinances and zoning, HOA rules, and local rooster or coop limits aren't covered yet, so check your local code too.
Which places have you checked?: 49 US states, 20 provinces, states, territories and nations in Canada, Australia and the UK, and 27 countries so far (Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, Colombia, Denmark, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Indonesia, Italy, Kenya, Liechtenstein, Malaysia, Mexico, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Thailand, Türkiye, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, Vietnam). Places shown grey on the map are not yet checked for keeping; most have their selling rules on the egg-selling map.