I still remember the first time I brought home chickens in a cardboard box. My wife said, “Are you serious right now?” I was. Two hens and a dream. That was the start of my wild ride with raising small animals in urban homesteads a ride full of poop, noise complaints, and eggs so fresh they were still warm.
Over the years I’ve tried raising chickens, quail, rabbits, and even worms (yes, worms count they’re hard workers). I’ve made some dumb mistakes, but I’ve also fed my family from my backyard, and that’s a feeling you just can’t beat.
Let me show you what I’ve learned the good, the bad, and the noisy.
So… Can You Really Raise Animals in the City?
Yep, you can. But it depends where you live.
Some cities are chill about chickens. Some ain’t. Rabbits and quail usually fly under the radar (not literally, quail don’t fly great). Best advice? Check your local ordinances first. And don’t just Google it actually call your city hall. I learned that the hard way when my neighbor turned me in for “illegal livestock.” Turns out the rule was no roosters, but hens were fine. Still cost me a fine.
Good animals for city homesteads:
- Chickens (hens only!)
- Quail (quiet, lay lots of eggs)
- Rabbits (for meat or manure)
- Worms (vermicomposting)
- Ducks (but they’re LOUD and messy)
The Chicken Chapter: Clucks, Eggs, and Poop Everywhere
Chickens are like the gateway drug of urban homesteading. Everybody starts with ‘em.
Here’s what I wish someone told me before I got chickens:
- They poop. Constantly. You’ll never win the poop war.
- They get loud when they lay eggs. Not rooster loud, but loud.
- You need a solid coop. I built mine out of old pallets and chicken wire, and a raccoon got in the first night.
I fixed that quick with hardware cloth and a padlock. Trust me raccoons are smarter than they look.
Despite all that, chickens are amazing. I get fresh eggs almost daily. They eat my kitchen scraps. And they’re funny as heck. One of mine, Berta, used to come running whenever I opened a bag of chips.
Quail: The Secret Superstars of Urban Homesteading
Now here’s a little known tip: quail are perfect for city folks.
They’re quiet. They don’t need much space. And they lay eggs like machines.
I raised a batch of Coturnix quail in a wire cage on a shelf in my shed. It looked like a pet store, but I got 5–6 eggs a day from just a few birds. I scrambled ‘em up, pickled some, even gave cartons away to friends.
Downsides?
- They’re skittish, not cuddly like chickens.
- They’re messy, and the poop smell builds up fast if you don’t clean often.
- They don’t live as long as chickens.
Still, for tight spaces, they’re solid gold.
Rabbits: Soft, Silent, and Surprisingly Useful
I’ll admit, I didn’t raise rabbits at first for meat. My daughter begged me for a pet bunny, so I said yes.
But then I learned something wild: rabbit manure is cold compost you can put it straight on your plants. No aging, no compost pile. That stuff is gold.
Eventually, I did raise a meat breed (New Zealand Whites). It was tough at first emotionally, I mean. But if you’re serious about self sufficiency, rabbits are a smart move.
Things to know:
- They breed like… well, rabbits. Keep males separate.
- You’ll need wire cages or hutches. I made mine from an old bookcase.
- They’re quiet, clean, and neighbors don’t even know you have ‘em.
What About Ducks? Don’t Do What I Did
Okay, story time.
I once brought home two Khaki Campbells from a local farm. I built a kiddie pool pond, made a little duck house, and thought I was a genius.
WELL. Ducks are noisy, especially in the morning. They splash like toddlers, poop ten times worse than chickens, and the smell? Good lord. My neighbor came over after three days and begged me to get rid of them.
So yeah… ducks might be better for folks with more land or super cool neighbors.
Worms Deserve a Shoutout
You ever seen a worm bin under a kitchen sink?
Looks gross. Smells fine. Works great.
Worms (red wigglers) eat your food scraps and make compost so rich your plants will explode. Not literally. But they’ll grow big and healthy.
I started worm composting in a plastic bin with holes drilled in the lid. Took maybe 30 minutes to set up. Been using worm tea and castings ever since.
Bonus: It’s the only animal I raise that doesn’t wake me up at 5 a.m.
How I Deal With City Rules, Neighbors, and Noise
Urban homesteading ain’t just about animals. It’s about people too. And sometimes those people are annoyed with your chickens.
What’s worked for me:
- Talk to your neighbors BEFORE you get animals. Offer eggs or compost.
- Keep everything clean and quiet as you can.
- Obey local laws (or at least don’t break the obvious ones).
- Build good fences and secure coops. Escaped animals cause drama fast.
One time my chicken Berta got out and ended up in a neighbor’s tomato bed. It was awkward. A dozen eggs smoothed things over.
My Top Tips for Raising Small Animals in the City
Here’s what I do every morning (and I work a full-time job too):
- Feed the chickens + quail
- Top off waterers (I use 5-gallon buckets with nipples)
- Scoop poop into the compost
- Check for eggs (best part of the day)
- Say hi to the rabbits and throw ’em a carrot or two
- Drink coffee on the porch while watching everyone scratch around
It takes maybe 30 minutes if I don’t get distracted talking to the birds.
Mini FAQ: You Asked, I Answered
Q: Can I raise chickens with no backyard?
A: Maybe. Some folks do it on rooftops or shared gardens. But you’ll need space and city approval.
Q: Do I need a rooster for eggs?
A: Nope! Hens lay eggs without a rooster. Roosters just fertilize them (and make noise).
Q: What’s the cheapest animal to start with?
A: Worms, hands down. $30 for a bin and worms, and you’re good to go.
Why Raising Small Animals in Urban Homesteads Is Totally Worth It
Raising small animals in urban homesteads ain’t easy. It’s messy, noisy, and sometimes you’ll question your life choices while hosing down duck poop at 6 a.m.
But it’s also deeply satisfying. It’s eggs from your own birds. It’s compost you made yourself. It’s knowing you can feed your family something real and honest, right from your backyard (or porch or shed or fire escape).
You don’t need land to homestead. You need heart. And a decent sense of humor.
Got a weird question? Comment below I actually answer.
And if your rabbit escapes or your chicken eats your kale, lemme know. I’ve been there too.