Texas Backyard Chicken Laws: Permits, Hen Limits, and Setbacks by County and City
Last Updated
Can I have backyard chickens in Texas?
Yes. Texas has some of the strongest "Right to Farm" protections in the country. Under Texas Agriculture Code § 251.007, most cities are prohibited from banning a minimum of six hens on a residential lot.
Roosters are usually banned in cities and suburbs due to noise. Permits are required in many larger cities but not in most smaller towns or rural areas. Setbacks commonly range from 10 to 50 feet from neighboring homes or property lines, and coops are typically restricted to rear yards.
Table of Contents
Texas Backyard Chicken Laws by County and City
Selling Backyard Eggs in Texas
Texas State Poultry Slaughter Rules
Texas Major Cities Rules
Arlington, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 4 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Austin, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 10 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Corpus Christi, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Dallas, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 4 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
El Paso, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Fort Worth, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 3 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Houston, TX
Hen Limit: No hen limit | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Lubbock, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Plano, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
San Antonio, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 8 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 20ft from neighboring residences
Texas Backyard Chicken Laws by County and City
Find your Texas city or town below for detailed rules regarding your local limits.
⚠️ Important: Texas ordinances may change without notice. Always verify the current rules with your local jurisdiction or HOA before building your coop.
Angelina County, TX
Diboll, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Huntington, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Lufkin, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 50ft from any residence
Pollok, TX
Hen Limit: No hen limit | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Zavalla, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Atascosa County, TX
Charlotte, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Christine, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Jourdanton, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not required
Lytle, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not required
Pleasanton, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not required
Poteet, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Somerset, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Bastrop County, TX
Bastrop, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not required
Elgin, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not required
Smithville, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Bell County, TX
Belton, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not required
Harker Heights, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not required
Holland, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Killeen, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not required
Little River Academy, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Nolanville, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not required
Rogers, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Salado, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Temple, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not required
Troy, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Bexar County, TX
Converse, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not required
Elmendorf, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Helotes, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not required
Saint Hedwig, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Universal City, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required with a $25 fee
Von Ormy, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Bowie County, TX
De Kalb, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Hooks, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Maud, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Nash, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not required
New Boston, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Texarkana, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 4 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not required
Brazoria County, TX
Alvin, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Angleton, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Brazoria, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Clute, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Danbury, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Freeport, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Lake Jackson, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Liverpool, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Manvel, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Pearland, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 4 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not required
Sweeny, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
West Columbia, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Brazos County, TX
Bryan, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not required
College Station, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not required
Kurten, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Burnet County, TX
Bertram, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Burnet, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Marble Falls, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Caldwell County, TX
Lockhart, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Luling, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Martindale, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Cameron County, TX
Brownsville, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not required
Combes, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Harlingen, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not required
La Feria, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Los Fresnos, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Los Indios, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Port Isabel, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Rio Hondo, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
San Benito, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Santa Maria, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Santa Rosa, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
South Padre Island, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Cherokee County, TX
Alto, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Jacksonville, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Rusk, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Collin County, TX
Allen, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 4 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Anna, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Blue Ridge, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Celina, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Farmersville, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Frisco, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Josephine, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Lavon, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
McKinney, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 4 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Melissa, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Nevada, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Princeton, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Prosper, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 4 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Westminster, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Weston, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Wylie, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Comal County, TX
Bulverde, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
New Braunfels, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Spring Branch, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Cooke County, TX
Gainesville, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Muenster, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Valley View, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Coryell County, TX
Copperas Cove, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Evant, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Gatesville, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Oglesby, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Dallas County, TX
Addison, TX
Hen Limit: Not allowed | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not applicable
Balch Springs, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 4 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Cedar Hill, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Coppell, TX
Hen Limit: Not allowed | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not applicable
DeSoto, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 4 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Duncanville, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 4 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Garland, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 4 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Grand Prairie, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 4 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Hutchins, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Irving, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 4 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Lancaster, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 4 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Mesquite, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 4 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Richardson, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 4 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Rowlett, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Sachse, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 4 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Seagoville, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 4 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Sunnyvale, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Wilmer, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Denton County, TX
Argyle, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Aubrey, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Carrollton, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 4 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Denton, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 8 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Flower Mound, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Justin, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Krum, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Lake Dallas, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Lewisville, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 4 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Little Elm, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Pilot Point, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Ponder, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Roanoke, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Sanger, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
The Colony, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 4 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Ector County, TX
Odessa, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
El Paso County, TX
Anthony, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Clint, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
San Elizario, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Ellis County, TX
Bardwell, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Ennis, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Ferris, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Italy, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Maypearl, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Midlothian, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Milford, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Palmer, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Red Oak, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 4 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Waxahachie, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Erath County, TX
Dublin, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Stephenville, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Fort Bend County, TX
Beasley, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Fulshear, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Katy, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Kendleton, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Missouri City, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Needville, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Orchard, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Richmond, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Rosenberg, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Simonton, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Stafford, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Sugar Land, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 4 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Thompsons, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Galveston County, TX
Dickinson, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Friendswood, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Galveston, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Hitchcock, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Kemah, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
La Marque, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
League City, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Santa Fe, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Texas City, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Grayson County, TX
Bells, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Collinsville, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Denison, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Gunter, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Howe, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Pottsboro, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Sadler, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Sherman, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Southmayd, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Tioga, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Tom Bean, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Van Alstyne, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Whitesboro, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Whitewright, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Gregg County, TX
Easton, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Gladewater, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Kilgore, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Longview, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
White Oak, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Guadalupe County, TX
Cibolo, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Marion, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Schertz, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Seguin, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Hardin County, TX
Kountze, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Lumberton, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Silsbee, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Sour Lake, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Harris County, TX
Baytown, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Bellaire, TX
Hen Limit: Not allowed | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not applicable
Deer Park, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Galena Park, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Humble, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
La Porte, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Pasadena, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Seabrook, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
South Houston, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Tomball, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Webster, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Hays County, TX
Buda, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Dripping Springs, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Kyle, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
San Marcos, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Wimberley, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Henderson County, TX
Athens, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Brownsboro, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Chandler, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Eustace, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Kemp, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Mabank, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Malakoff, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Murchison, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Poynor, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Trinidad, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Hidalgo County, TX
Alamo, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Donna, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Edcouch, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Edinburg, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Elsa, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Hidalgo, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
La Joya, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
La Villa, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
McAllen, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Mercedes, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Mission, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Peñitas, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Pharr, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Progreso, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
San Juan, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Sullivan City, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Weslaco, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Hood County, TX
Granbury, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Lipan, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Tolar, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Hunt County, TX
Caddo Mills, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Campbell, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Celeste, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Commerce, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Greenville, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Lone Oak, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Quinlan, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Wolfe City, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Jefferson County, TX
Beaumont, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
China, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Groves, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Nederland, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Nome, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Port Arthur, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Port Neches, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Jim Wells County, TX
Alice, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Orange Grove, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Premont, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Johnson County, TX
Alvarado, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Burleson, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 4 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Cleburne, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Godley, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Grandview, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Joshua, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Keene, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Rio Vista, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Venus, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 4 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Kaufman County, TX
Crandall, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Forney, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Kaufman, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Rosser, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Scurry, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Terrell, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Kendall County, TX
Boerne, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Kerr County, TX
Ingram, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Kerrville, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Liberty County, TX
Cleveland, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Daisetta, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Dayton, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Devers, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Hardin, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Liberty, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Lubbock County, TX
Idalou, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
New Deal, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Ransom Canyon, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Shallowater, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Slaton, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Wolfforth, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Maverick County, TX
Eagle Pass, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
McLennan County, TX
Hewitt, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 4 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Lorena, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Mart, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
McGregor, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Moody, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Riesel, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Waco, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 7 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
West, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Woodway, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Medina County, TX
Castroville, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Devine, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Hondo, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
La Coste, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Natalia, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Midland County, TX
Midland, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Montgomery County, TX
Conroe, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 8 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Magnolia, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Montgomery, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Splendora, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Willis, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Navarro County, TX
Barry, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Blooming Grove, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Corsicana, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Dawson, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Frost, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Kerens, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Powell, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Rice, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Richland, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Nueces County, TX
Agua Dulce, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Bishop, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Driscoll, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Port Aransas, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Robstown, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Orange County, TX
Bridge City, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Orange, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Vidor, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Parker County, TX
Aledo, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Cresson, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Springtown, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Weatherford, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Polk County, TX
Corrigan, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Livingston, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Onalaska, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Randall County, TX
Amarillo, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 4 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Canyon, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Rockwall County, TX
Fate, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Rockwall, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 4 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Royse City, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
San Patricio County, TX
Aransas Pass, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Gregory, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Ingleside, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Mathis, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Odem, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Portland, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Sinton, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Taft, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Smith County, TX
Arp, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Bullard, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Lindale, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Troup, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Tyler, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 10 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Whitehouse, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Winona, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Starr County, TX
Rio Grande City, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Roma, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Tarrant County, TX
Azle, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Bedford, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 4 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Colleyville, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Crowley, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Euless, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 4 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Grapevine, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Haltom City, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 4 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Haslet, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Hurst, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 4 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Keller, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 4 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Kennedale, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Mansfield, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 4 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
North Richland Hills, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 4 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Southlake, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 4 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Taylor County, TX
Abilene, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Buffalo Gap, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Lawn, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Merkel, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Trent, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Tuscola, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Tye, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Tom Green County, TX
San Angelo, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Travis County, TX
Manor, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Pflugerville, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Val Verde County, TX
Del Rio, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Van Zandt County, TX
Canton, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Edgewood, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Fruitvale, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Grand Saline, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Van, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Wills Point, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Victoria County, TX
Victoria, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Waller County, TX
Brookshire, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Hempstead, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Pattison, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Prairie View, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Waller, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Webb County, TX
Laredo, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Wharton County, TX
East Bernard, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
El Campo, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed (with restrictions) | Permit: Required
Wharton, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Wichita County, TX
Burkburnett, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed (with restrictions) | Permit: Required
Electra, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Iowa Park, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Wichita Falls, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Williamson County, TX
Bartlett, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Cedar Park, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Florence, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Georgetown, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 10 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Granger, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Hutto, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Jarrell, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Leander, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Liberty Hill, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Round Rock, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 5 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Taylor, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed (with restrictions) | Permit: Required
Thrall, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Weir, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Wilson County, TX
Falls City, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Floresville, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed (with restrictions) | Permit: Required
La Vernia, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Poth, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Stockdale, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Wise County, TX
Alvord, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Boyd, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Bridgeport, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed (with restrictions) | Permit: Required
Chico, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Decatur, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Newark, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Paradise, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Rhome, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed (with restrictions) | Permit: Required
Wood County, TX
Alba, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Hawkins, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed (with restrictions) | Permit: Required
Mineola, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required
Quitman, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Winnsboro, TX
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required
Yantis, TX
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required
Permits vs. Nuisances
The "Permit" is largely a thing of the past for small Texas flocks. Instead, cities use Nuisance Enforcement. If your neighbors can smell your coop or see flies from their porch, you are in violation of general Sanitation Codes, regardless of how many birds the state says you can have.
No Permit Required: Most rural counties and major cities (Austin, Houston, Fort Worth) do not require a permit for small flocks (typically under 10 birds).
Registration Required: Cities like Dallas and San Antonio require registration or "Excess Animal Permits" once you cross a specific threshold (usually 5–8 birds).
The Setback Factor: This is the most common "hidden ban." Even if chickens are legal, a city might require the coop to be 50–100 feet from a neighbor's house, which is physically impossible on a standard suburban lot.
Texas Predator Threats
Texas's vast landscapes mean your flock faces a "predator gauntlet" that shifts by region—from urban raccoons in Dallas to desert coyotes near El Paso. While HB 1750 protects your right to keep birds, it won't stop a bobcat from raiding your coop at dawn.
Selling Backyard Eggs in Texas
Texas allows direct sales of ungraded eggs to consumers without a packing license. Cartons must be labeled “Ungraded” in bold type and include the producer’s name and full address. Eggs must be kept at 45°F or lower during storage and transport. Use only new, clean cartons and include the USDA safe-handling statement. No dealer license is needed for sales to neighbors or farmers’ market customers, but a license is required if selling to restaurants or grocery stores.
Texas State Poultry Slaughter Rules
In Texas, the legality of slaughtering poultry depends entirely on the intended use of the meat. Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 433 (The Texas Meat and Poultry Inspection Act) provides specific exemptions for backyard keepers, but local city restrictions often add rules about visibility and sanitation.
The Personal Use Exemption (HSC § 433.006): You may slaughter and process your own chickens on your property without state inspection if the meat is consumed only by you, your household, or non-paying guests.
The 1,000-Bird Rule (Low-Volume Sales): Under 25 TAC § 221.12, you may slaughter and sell up to 1,000 of your own farm-raised chickens per year without a full Grant of Inspection, as long as you sell them directly to consumers and register with the DSHS Meat Safety Assurance (MSA) unit.
Prohibited “Cottage Food” Sales: Slaughtered poultry cannot be sold as a cottage food. Meat is a Time/Temperature Control for Safety (TCS) food and requires higher-level retail permitting.
City-Limit Ordinances: While the state allows slaughtering, many Texas cities prohibit it within public view. Processing must usually take place inside a garage or screened area to avoid nuisance or public-distress citations.
⚠️ Waste Disposal Law: Under Texas Water Code § 26.303, poultry carcasses cannot be disposed of in a way that risks groundwater contamination. You must use municipal trash (bagged), composting, or an approved landfill. On-site burial is generally illegal on suburban lots.
Essential Guides for Backyard Chicken Success
How do I raise backyard chickens successfully?
Building a coop from scratch? Use our Step‑by‑Step DIY Chicken Coop Guide to create a durable, well‑ventilated setup that can handle Texas challenges like extreme summer heat, sudden cold fronts, Gulf Coast humidity, and high winds during storm season.
Already caring for a flock? Give your hens the best chance to thrive in the Lone Star State. From choosing heat‑resistant breeds suited to Texas summers to managing dust, humidity, and predators such as coyotes, raccoons, bobcats, foxes, snakes, and hawks, our guides help you maintain a productive, neighbor‑friendly flock year‑round.
Complete Resource: View Our Ultimate Backyard Chicken Management Guide
Official Sources
1. When available, we reference Texas municipal codes from verified platforms like library.municode.com, ecode360.com, and local municipal government websites at the time of publication.
2. Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) Poultry Guide — Covers Pullorum-Typhoid testing (required for public sales or trades; voluntary for pet flocks).
Key State Protections (Texas “Backyard Bill of Rights”): Agriculture Code § 251.007 prevents cities from banning 6 or fewer chickens on single-family lots. Property Code § 202.024 blocks new HOAs (formed after Sept 1, 2023) from prohibiting up to 6 chickens (older HOAs may still enforce bans). Health & Safety Code § 437.001 generally exempts backyard egg sales to consumers from commercial licensing. Cities can only override these protections with clear evidence of an imminent public-health danger under HB 1750.