Welcome to SoPoChickens!
~On September 5th, 2007, after a summerlong campaign led by 10-year-old Olivia Collins, the South Portland City Council voted to lift a ban on raising hens in the city.

Today it is legal to raise up to 6 hens per household (no roosters) for non-commercial use only. Hens must be kept enclosed and not free-roaming: in a solid henhouse (built 20' from property lines; of uniform materials; no scrap allowed) at night and during the day in a fully enclosed, predator-proof pen (with a top, and with wire buried 12" in the ground). They may be allowed into a fenced yard with supervision. Care must be taken that noise and odor do not disturb neighbors. For the full ordinance text, click here. For more specific info on coop construction, see the "Coops" page. To learn how to obtain a South Portland permit, click here.

The aim of this web site is to provide information and resources for citizens interested in raising pet hens. The information is collected from numerous sources.

We hope you enjoy the web site. Please feel free to contact us with any questions or comments.