City Chicks

When I brought three chicks home last spring, I expected fresh eggs to be the biggest reward. But Mildred, Barbara, and Mamie Lee—a Barred Rock, Columbian Wyandotte, and Easter Egger— have also become beloved family pets, following me around, perching on the porch swing, peering in the window and eating mealworms out of my hands.

- Jodi Helmer

My fascination with a backyard flock is not unique.

At Renfrow Hardware in Matthews, owner David Blackley has seen an increase in the number of chick purchases, and his chicken-keeping classes attract sellout crowds.

“More people want to know where their food comes from,” he says, “and raising chickens is a real pleasure.”

Cheeping chicks are hard to resist. Before getting caught up in the cute factor, remember that chickens can live up to 10 years (though the average is three to four) and require constant care. You don’t need a rooster to get eggs—good news because, although roosters are allowed in Charlotte, their loud cock-a-doodle-do could attract the ire of neighbors and violate the local noise ordinance, resulting in a fine. Your chicks will do fine without a man. Here are a few things to keep in mind if you’re considering keeping chickens at home: