Can You Have Backyard Chickens in Missouri Cities?

This is not a new question, but it's one that's taken on new meaning with the skyrocketing price of eggs. Can you have backyard chickens in Missouri cities? The truth is it's a more complicated answer than you might think. It depends on a number of factors.

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As CNN reported recently, egg prices continue to rise with no end in sight. The result is that more and more people are considering cutting out the middle man and getting their own backyard chickens. Is this legal in Missouri cities? For the most part, it's not a problem, but there are many exceptions.

Before I share my sources, please note that if getting backyard chickens is something you are considering, make sure to check for homeowner association rules in your neighborhood, specific zoning areas and city ordinances.

The website Omelet (with that kind of name, you'd think they'd know) list the following Missouri cities as being OK with backyard chickens.

Hannibal - No maximum number of chickens and roosters allowed
Branson - No maximum number of chickens and roosters allowed
St. Louis County - No maximum number of chickens and roosters allowed

Here are the Missouri cities they say will allow chickens, but with limits:

Kansas City – 15 birds maximum, or 40 chicks (under four weeks), roosters OK but must be at least 300 feet away from neighbors
Nevada - 25 hens maximum, but roosters OK
Columbia - 6 chickens maximum, but roosters OK

Just because you can have chickens in the city doesn't mean you should. The CDC advises that there are some health risks that go along with taking care and maintaining chickens. It's not that it's a bad idea. It just means you need to know what you're doing to keep you and the birds healthy.

Rising egg prices are inspiring more to ask this question. It's important to do your own research specifically with your own neighborhood and part of town you live in before making the jump into Missouri chicken ownership.