Natick residents are allowed to keep chickens on their property, but no roosters are allowed, according to town health regulations.

woman in white red and blue striped long sleeve shirt sitting on brown wooden bench — Photo by Zoe Schaeffer on Unsplash

You must be granted a permit by the Board of Health after filling out an application. But first you should contact the Office of Community and Economic Development at (508) 647-6450 to make sure you’ll be complying with zoning bylaws.

When you apply the Board of Health will contact abutters to make them aware of your intentions and give them a chance to reply over two weeks. Your application’s fate will also be determined by your ability to keep the chicken coop clean, keep the animals on your property, and more. Hen houses need to be kept at least 50 feet from any dwelling, and at least 15 feet from the street.

If approved, there is a $50 annual fee.

Those in the know say you’ll want to consider practicalities such as being able to run power to your coop to keep the hens warm during winter. They also advise sharing eggs with neighbors, just in case your hens tend to make a bit of a ruckus.