Farm fresh eggs and backyard chickens in San Luis Obispo
Story by Annie Secrest
The gentle cluck of backyard chickens is for many San Luis Obispo County residents the sound of nourishment, connection and even companionship.
A backyard bird can produce around 200 eggs per year up until five years of age. The egg production cycle occurs during the warmer, longer days of summer. But chickens aren’t just egg producers — they’re personable, social creatures with charm that can rival household pets. Chef and TV Personality Martha Stewart, an early advocate of backyard flocks, once wrote, “There are so many rewards from raising these birds. You get delicious eggs, and the joy of caring for them is great for you and your family.”
Luckily, sprawling acreage isn’t necessary to embrace a lifestyle with these feathered friends. County code permits residents to have up to 20 chickens, even within city limits. About 10 square feet per bird is ideal to give them space to scratch, stretch and strut their stuff. As the flock grows, so will their need for space; in return, they’ll reward their keeper with fewer squabbles, healthier feathers and cleaner coops.
The variety of backyard chickens is diverse; some breeds are prized for eggs or meat, others are raised for their sheer beauty, with captivating plumage. Barbara Bullock, a Central Coast poultry expert and member of the Central Coast Feather Fanciers, recommends three egg-laying breeds, which are also “dual purpose” birds that can also be used for meat. They are Orpington, Rhode Island Red and Welsummer. Sourcing chickens from reputable breeders and ensuring they are vaccinated are key, says Barbara, to starting a healthy, thriving flock.
Chickens are highly social animals, so plan to start with at least three, but no more than five. Adding new birds later can ruffle feathers, literally. To smooth the transition, Barbara advises isolating newcomers for 30 days before introducing them to the flock, using a large dog crate as a temporary “guesthouse.” This gives the fowl time to get acquainted from a safe distance. Raising chickens is a long-term commitment — these intelligent birds can live 14 to 15 years.
They are also natural foragers, delighting in bugs hidden beneath leaves and soil. But their diet benefits from balance; high-quality feed ensures their nutritional needs are met. Those planning to enjoy their eggs should select feed with a particular focus on calcium. Chickens also adore scraps from the kitchen — think cabbage, zucchini or apples — but steer clear of moldy food, which can upset their sensitive stomachs. Snacking on pumpkins and marigolds produces egg yolks with a rich golden hue.
Like any pet, chickens come with their share of challenges. Among the most common threats in SLO County are dogs, which see chickens as prey. Supervise dogs around the flock or keep the two separated. Predators such as raccoons, hawks, cats and coyotes are resourceful and persistent. A well-secured coop is the best defense, with rigid wire like hardware cloth offering better protection than traditional poultry netting. Hawks may swoop from above, so consider sheltered spaces for the flock. The smallest threats — mites, lice and mice, which thrive in dirty enclosures — can be warded off with regular coop cleaning.
The rewards of backyard chickens extend well beyond fresh eggs. Chickens are surprisingly intelligent, with sharp memories and an ability to recognize faces, including that of their owner. They express contentment with soft, throaty purrs and serve as unofficial yard sentinels, loudly announcing the arrival of strangers. Even roosters, often typecast as noisy, aggressive birds, can be affectionate, offering small “gifts” like twigs or leaves to their humans as a token of goodwill.
Local poultry enthusiasts can find guidance and camaraderie through groups like Central Coast Feather Fanciers that promote the art of standard-bred poultry and share knowledge across the community.
New York Times bestselling author and naturalist Sy Montgomery perhaps said it best: “Folks use words like ‘astonishing’ to describe such friendships between people and poultry. What’s more astonishing, though, is not that these birds know so much about their human neighbors, but that we humans know so little about our neighborhood birds.”
