This is a story about backyard chickens. Illegal backyard chickens, to be exact. Illegal backyard chickens that shouldn't be.

But first: what's it mean to be an outdoor city?

Who defines "outdoor"?

Is outdoor = climbing, paddling and Chacos?

Or, is outdoor = camo, duck blinds and hale bays?

‍

Who gets to decide?

In 2011, Outside magazine - thanks to readers voting online - declared Chattanooga as "Best Town Ever."

‍

(Four years later, we won again, making Chattanooga the only US city to win Outside's "Best Town Ever" twice.)

Back in 2011, Chattanooga beat out 18 other runner-up cities on the list.

And 17 of those 18 runner-up cities allowed chickens in the city limits.

I called them all.

In 2013, I was writing the city column for the Times Free Press. I had one eye on this Outdoor Town story, but another on a group of Chattanooga residents who wanted to raise backyard chickens.

‍

Back in 2013, they couldn't. It was illegal in Chattanooga.

Twelve years later, it still is.  

City code prohibits Chattanooga residents from owning chickens with two exceptions: five acres or land zoned agriculturally. Good luck finding either of those in Chattanooga right now. (Both NOOGAToday and Chattamatters published clear + helpful pieces on this.)

Seems kinda contradictory, doesn't it? An Best Outdoor Town that won't allow backyard hens?

Here's an excerpt from that 2013 column.

‍

Since then, Chattanooga's only increased its Outdoor identity, even now on the verge of being named North America's first National Park City.

But folks can't own hens?

It feels both ridiculous and repressive.

Sure, not a flock of thousands.

‍

But at least a half-dozen.

‍

Or even a half-half-dozen.

‍

Or even just one.

We've been raising hens for 15 years in Hamilton County. Egg shortages are going to continue. It's a fine time to learn how to raise backyard hens.

This spring, Tractor Supply stores will get shipments of baby chicks; our neighborhood store sells out within hours.  Folks there are so friendly; just ask, and they'll tell you when the next shipment is expected.

We've ordered plenty of birds here, which arrive in a small box in the mail. Over time, you'll find people who know - word-of-mouth, a friend giving birds away, one particular feed store - the in's and out's of chicken subculture.

If you get baby chicks, or pullets, you'll need a few things:

• A good container. An old dog crate. Or Rubbermaid. We've used the leftover playpen for a now-deceased guinea pig named Lady Gaga. (She was a beaut.)
• Plenty of bedding: old newspapers, wood shavings. Straw often mats up in gross ways. Some say not to use cedar shavings. Some say it's fine.
• You'll need a heat lamp, because they're tiny and want to huddle and cuddle. A friend lost his barn once when the heat lamp caught fire, so take this seriously.
• Feed: you'll start choice feeding with starter pellets or starter ration. Most hardware stores and all feed stores carry this. It's up to you how organic you get.
• Water, obviously.
• Patience. These tiny birds are like chickens on Spring Break. They make huge messes: lots of poop, even in their food and water.
• Most of all, joy. It's good heart-work to raise something so tiny. It feels double-good to remember how to enjoy, hold and savor the precious things, like the wisp of a baby bird in your hands.

‍

Around 16 weeks, they need an outside coop.

‍

You can buy or build. I've done both; neither work well because a) I'm cheap and b) I'm not a carpenter.

Currently: we use an old dog crate and a Shawshanked-together coop - thanks Aaron Franklin, for the use of this verb - that my son, who is far more skilled, built.

You need fencing. Without a doubt, I recommend Premier 1 Supplies. The fence is electric, portable and easy. Until we used hot wire, we lost birds regularly. Once, a muskrat went Tarantino on our flock once. Blood everywhere. Heads severed.

"Look away," I told my young daughter.

Get ready. Birds will die. It'll happen. The more attentive you are, the less frequent such deaths will be. In 15 years, we've had worms - our hens, not us - only once, with only one bird dying. Hawks are near, but rarely attack. Usually, our hens die from old age.

Once, a fox was prowling up the driveway. Our hens were out, pecking through the yard. Tons of nearby crows began to "caw", alerting the hens - and us - to the fox. The murder prevented a murder. (That's a fun sentence.)

As one friend says: the eye of the farmer fattens the hog. Pay attention and things will work out.

An important disclaimer: don't get chicks because they're cute. Or it's Easter. It's extra work and only take on the responsibility for these little lives if you intend to care well for them.

If you commit to good care, they'll delight you in really hilarious and warm ways.

‍

"It's our favorite past-time," one friend said. "We get home and just watch the girls peck around the yard."

They love to eat ticks. And dinner-table scraps. Hens will eat yellow jackets, I hear.  You can save their poop for garden compost.

And, the eggs. My heavens, the eggs.

‍

The first year, they'll lay daily, or, six days a week. Over the winter, my birds often go on strike, but start laying again when the spring sunlight increases.

One flock of six birds usually gives us enough eggs to eat, giveaway or sell. When our son was home, he'd go through eggs like Cool Hand Luke. One flock provided it all.

We move our pen every other month so the girls are scratching on good, fresh soil, not some bare earth over and over. Nobody likes that.

Of course, they'll go lots of places.

‍

Back in 2013, as City Council debated this issue, it was a standing room only. Again: that column.

‍

Today, there are plenty of families raising backyard hens in resistance. How many? Who knows. (The city asked for an open records request Friday; I'd called to see how often city officials had doled out punishments since 2011.)

In a powerful essay from 2022, Ashley Fleming asks:

"Is food security a privilege only for the wealthy in Chattanooga? Is peace of mind a privilege only for the wealthy in Chattanooga? Are backyard chickens really only for those who had the good sense not to buy a home in Chattanooga? Enforcement of such an ordinance in this unsteady world climate seems like discrimination.'"

Aren't backyard hens that part of Outdoor Living, too?

Remember: 17 other cities think so.

‍

Today's story is dedicated to all the birds we've loved and lost. Like Claudia, Clair, Clancy, Max and Snowball.

And to all the Chattanooga families who defiantly raise hens, really making this place "The Best Outdoor Town Ever."

Story ideas, questions, feedback? Interested in partnering with us? Email: david@foodasaverb.com

This story is 100% human generated; no AI chatbot was used in the creation of this content.

‍