SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — With egg prices rising, so to is interest in backyard chicken keeping in the Sioux Falls area.

“We’ve seen this [uptick in interest] in the past with the avian flu outbreaks — and also with the pandemic,” said Stephanie Peterson, owner of Fruit of the Coop, a local chicken farm. She also provides classes on raising chickens and is an admin of a local Sioux Falls area chicken tending page on Facebook.

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While Peterson questioned whether egg prices themselves were enough of a reason for people to get into chicken keeping, she’s happy people are interested either way.

“Whatever works to get people thinking about growing food in their own backyard or raising food in their own backyard,” Peterson said. “I always like to focus on is community resiliency, and the more resilient we can be within our own neighborhoods, the less we have to rely on big ag, commercial agriculture and just like, you know, purchasing and buying our food outside of our own environment.”

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Peterson said that she’s been keeping chickens herself for about a decade now.

“The very first thing you need to know about is your local ordinance,” said Peterson.

In Sioux Falls, for instance, you can keep up to six chickens with no need for a permit. KELOLAND News spoke with Sioux Falls Animal Control Supervisor Patty Beckman, who explained that if one wants to keep more than six chickens, they would need to get a permit.

Part of that permit in Sioux Falls is getting written approval from all of your neighbors. This is a process which needs to be repeated every three years.

Also mentioned by Beckman; roosters are not allowed in Sioux Falls, meaning that if you wind up with one, you will need to find it a new home outside city limits.

In addition to brushing up on your city’s rules, Peterson recommends taking her class. “It’s a two-hour class and it’ll basically cover from start to finish, get you set up to get started with your own flock and then, you know, your next big thing is going to be the the coop, right? Like what type of coop you’re going to invest in,” she said.

This coop will likely be the biggest upfront cost for those looking to raise chickens. “Once you’ve got that done and your system is in place, you know you’re good to go,” said Peterson. “It’s really an easy animal to care for.”

Beyond that, Peterson said you’ll want to consider any pets you have.

“I would say the biggest predation on backyard flocks is a family’s own dog or a neighbor dog,” said Peterson.

One thing that may be less of a concern than expected is temperature. With the bitter wind chills felt across South Dakota, some may wonder about how weather-hardy these birds can be.

“I discourage discourage folks from insulating their coop. I think it’s good for the birds to just get adjusted,” said Peterson. “Their body temperature sits at about 106-107°F so they’re well prepared for cold weather.”

Peterson emphasizes that chickens typically have down in their feathers to maintain warmth, and as long as they have a place out of the wind and snow, they can typically handle the cold.

When considering how many chickens to have, Peterson says four chickens will typically provide enough eggs for a family of about four, at least during spring and summer. “In the winter you might wish you had 12 or 15 birds because they will slow down,” she said.

Peterson also warned that four may be about the minimum to get.

“I wouldn’t go any less than that for a variety of reasons. I mean, their flock animals, they do better when there’s greater numbers of them,” Peterson said. “If you were going to get two birds, I never suggest that because if one does accidentally die, you’re left with this single bird and they don’t do well.”

Disposal of dead birds is also a question to address. According to Beckman with animal control, South Dakota law requires that animals that pass away from non-communicable diseases need to be disposed of by burning or burial.

If you own your own property in Sioux Falls, Beckman said you can bury them on your property.

Death is a factor in another area as well.

“I do tell everyone who takes my class, you need to have a euthanasia plan in place,” said Peterson. “There are times when, you know, a bird is either going to get attacked by a predator or get sick but still be alive and you’re going to have to end its life.”

There is no way around this issue, and Peterson warns that it won’t be pretty. You will need to kill these injured or ill chickens in as humane a way as possible.

Typically the most acceptable modes of euthanasia for chickens are cervical dislocation or decapitation. Anyone planning to keep chickens should research and familiarize themselves with these methods.

Those looking to start up chicken tending will also have another choice on their hands. Chicks or ready to lay.

“If you can start with the chicks, I think there’s some benefits to that for sure,” said Peterson. “It’s a super fun experience, especially if you have little kids. I think raising them from chicks with your kids is super cool and important. And also it will you’ll end up with adult birds that are tame.”

The drawback of chicks is that they require special care for the first five months of their lives, which includes special food, heating and housing.

For those looking to skip the chick stage, there are ready-to-lay pullets, chickens already at laying age. These will often be less docile, but will be able to provides eggs immediately.