It's not uncommon for your neighbor to tend a vegetable garden or to learn that they are brewing their own beer. but it may come as a surprise to some that Belmont residents are also raising their own chickens for eggs. Belmont households are allowed to keep up to five hens on their property.

Local chicken-raising expert Joan Teebagy recently spoke at the Belmont Public Library about how residents can raise chickens for eggs.

Teebagy has been raising chickens for the last seven years. “I know I am getting eggs from chickens raised humanely,” she said, adding that the eggs taste better, are fresher and require no trip to the supermarket.

Teebagy said that while Belmont does allow up to hens, roosters are strictly forbidden. “Your neighbors will (quickly) become your enemies” with a rooster crowing at all hours of the day, she said.

According to Director of Health for the Belmont Health Department Stefan Russakow, the department has had very few complaints or reports of loose chickens or any associated issues. As far as he knows, there are no roosters being kept in town and he has not had anyone to his knowledge going over the limit.

Teebagy brought in two hens for show, a Rhode Island Red named Red and a Mottled Leghorn named Sparky. she said sounds made by hens end up blending into to the natural sounds of the environment and is hardly ever a disturbing noise for your neighbors.

Getting a permit

if Belmont residents want to raise chickens, they must obtain a permit from the Health Department. Permits are $25 a year.

The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources will also provide diagnostic testing services for hens free of charge to anyone that requests it. Teebagy recommends doing this and said the poultry inspectors that visit your home have a “wealth of information” that anyone raising chickens should take advantage of.

According to Russakow, there are currently 21 residential permits in Belmont for up to five chickens per permitee.

Finding hens

once you decide to raise hens, you must decide what type of eggs you want, Teebagy said. The different varieties are white, brown and blue. A family with children might also want to consider purchasing tamer breeds. Teebagy recommends Bantam and Silkie hens.

Purchasing chicks is usually the easier route to go. It's hard to find full-grown hens,” she said, adding that when purchasing adults you need to beware of what you're getting. It's not uncommon for someone to sell an older hen that is beyond its egg-laying prime.

It's not uncommon for your neighbor to tend a vegetable garden or to learn that they are brewing their own beer. but it may come as a surprise to some that Belmont residents are also raising their own chickens for eggs. Belmont households are allowed to keep up to five hens on their property.

Local chicken-raising expert Joan Teebagy recently spoke at the Belmont Public Library about how residents can raise chickens for eggs.

Teebagy has been raising chickens for the last seven years. “I know I am getting eggs from chickens raised humanely,” she said, adding that the eggs taste better, are fresher and require no trip to the supermarket.

Teebagy said that while Belmont does allow up to hens, roosters are strictly forbidden. “Your neighbors will (quickly) become your enemies” with a rooster crowing at all hours of the day, she said.

According to Director of Health for the Belmont Health Department Stefan Russakow, the department has had very few complaints or reports of loose chickens or any associated issues. As far as he knows, there are no roosters being kept in town and he has not had anyone to his knowledge going over the limit.

Teebagy brought in two hens for show, a Rhode Island Red named Red and a Mottled Leghorn named Sparky. she said sounds made by hens end up blending into to the natural sounds of the environment and is hardly ever a disturbing noise for your neighbors.

Getting a permit

if Belmont residents want to raise chickens, they must obtain a permit from the Health Department. Permits are $25 a year.

The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources will also provide diagnostic testing services for hens free of charge to anyone that requests it. Teebagy recommends doing this and said the poultry inspectors that visit your home have a “wealth of information” that anyone raising chickens should take advantage of.

According to Russakow, there are currently 21 residential permits in Belmont for up to five chickens per permitee.

Finding hens

once you decide to raise hens, you must decide what type of eggs you want, Teebagy said. The different varieties are white, brown and blue. A family with children might also want to consider purchasing tamer breeds. Teebagy recommends Bantam and Silkie hens.

Purchasing chicks is usually the easier route to go. It's hard to find full-grown hens,” she said, adding that when purchasing adults you need to beware of what you're getting. It's not uncommon for someone to sell an older hen that is beyond its egg-laying prime.

Chicks can be found at hatcheries. However, minimum orders of 25 chicks are usually required. Unless you are purchasing with others, Teebagy suggests the Agaway at 54 Emerson Road in Waltham, or using Craigslist where you can often buy chicks in smaller quantities.

Building a coop

The startup cost for raising chickens is where  a person would spend the most money, Teebagy said. Some people will spend upwards of $1,000. However, this isn't necessary. You can buy brand new coops or you can build one in your garage or using an old shed. Pine shavings also make the best bedding, Teebagy added.

Belmont requires 4 square feet per chicken in coops. With chicken runs, 10 square feet per chicken is recommended.

for the coops, Teebagy suggests elevating them, making it easier to clean. While chicken wire is great for the coop, Teebagy encourages using welded wire for building an underground fence that should run a few inches deep. this will protect against predators that dig, such as dogs and raccoons.

one coop accoutrement Teebagy does suggest splurging on is an automatic door. these can be set to timers which will allow chickens out of and back into the coop at certain times of the day. The flexibility is great for owners who work or go out in the evenings.

Brooding chicks is essential to them surviving to adulthood. A heat lamp should be installed in the coop with a 90-degree bulb. Teebagy adds there should also be enough room in the coop for the chicks to move out from under the lamp as well.

Feeding your flock

“Chickens are perfect scavengers,” Teebagy said. “You will have no guilt about wasting food.”

Chickens will eat just about anything and love being fed leftovers. Citrus is the one big exception, Teebay said. other things they love to eat include insects, oyster shells, plants and even scrambled eggs.

Teebagy suggests buying a 50-pound bag of chicken starter feed for your chicks. once they've gone through that – about 16 or 17 weeks – they are ready to transition to layer pellets for food. that and water, along with food scraps you give them complete a chicken's diet.

Taking precautions

Knowing how to protect hens from predators is a precaution no owner should ignore, Teebagy said. Common predators in this area include cats, dogs, hawks and coyotes. Parents with small children should always supervise the handling of chicks, ensuring that no one chick is handled too much.

Get more information

Contact the Belmont Health Department about the city's requirements: 617-993-2720

Contact the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources' Poultry Program Coordinator: 617- 626-1796