Welcome! Below you will find useful resources for raising chickens in Albuquerque.

Facts

In albuquerque we are blessed with two wonderful birds that can't really fly- the roadrunner and the backyard chicken!

Laws

Chickens are legal in Albuquerque. Here are the details...

• Backyard chickens are legal in single family residential zones
• You can keep up to 15 birds- the zoning regs below say no limit, but the animal regs override it with a limit of 15
• You can only have 1 rooster (subject to noise ordinance below)
• Its ok to slaughter your birds for food

HORSES, COWS, CHICKENS & OTHER BARN-YARD ANIMALS—Chickens, ducks, roosters and similar poultry are allowed in most single family residential zones. There is no limit on the number of such animals. Horses, cows, sheep and goats are allowed on lots of at least one half-acre in size, provided there is sufficient open space for each animal. Except in agricultural residential zones, use of the premises as a commercial farm enter­prise is not allowed. Link

According to ABQ Code of Ordinances, chapter 9, article 2, part 4, § 9-2-4-3, c-3:
"The Poultry limit is 15. No Person shall have more than one rooster in a household."

§ 9-2-4-7 ANIMAL NOISE:
"No person shall allow an Animal to persistently or continuously bark, howl or make noise common to its species to the extent that it causes a nuisance or as otherwise prohibited by this Chapter".

§ 9-2-4-2 the following exemption applies to animal cruelty ordinances:
"Killing a bird if such bird is Poultry owned by that Person and will be used for food" Link

Networking

Check out the ABQ Urban Chicken group and forum on Duke City Fix and become a member today!

Events and classes

Want to know about upcoming chicken classes and events in Albuquerque?
Email kt@urbanchickens.org to join the mailing list.

• Chicken Keeping Classes

Upcoming classes: They will resume again in the spring!  Stay tuned.

Previous classes: May 2008, July 2008

• Albuquerque Coop Tour

Thanks Jennifer for organizing a successful 2008 tour! Stay tuned for information on next years tour!

Feed stores and other resources

• You can purchase a ready made chicken coop from The Green Egg- a local company that makes chicken tractors. Email Gary at gryortiz@yahoo.com for more information (or click on the above link to see coop photos).
• Glover Eggs, of Edgewood, NM can be found at the Corrales Farmers Market or online at glovereggs.com. They sometimes have laying hens for sale.
• There are also a variety of local feed stores where you can purchase chicks and supplies (see map below). If you want organic chicken feed, you either have to make it yourself, drive up to Santa Fe, or become a member of Los Poblanos Organics (and request to purchase it from them).

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