Want backyard chickens in Louisiana? Good news—most parishes allow it. But rules can vary depending on whether you live in a city or rural area. Parishes and cities set limits on hens, roosters, coop placement, cleanliness, and whether permits are needed. This guide walks through rules in major parishes like Orleans, East Baton Rouge, Jefferson, Caddo, Lafayette, St. Tammany, Calcasieu, Ouachita, and Rapides, in simple, clear terms.
Statewide Context
There is no statewide chicken law in Louisiana. Instead, each parish and city writes its own rules based on zoning type (residential vs agricultural), lot size, flock size, rooster restrictions, coop setbacks, cleanliness, and whether permits are required.
Orleans Parish (New Orleans)
- Up to **6–10 hens**, depending on lot size.
- Roosters allowed—but must be kept **at least 25 ft** from neighboring homes and follow noise rules.
- Coop must be in **rear yard only**, at least **10 ft from lot lines and dwellings**.
- Minimum 4 sq ft per hen inside coop; predator‑proof, ventilated, sanitary.
- Permit required from city zoning.
- No on‑site slaughter or commercial egg sales.
East Baton Rouge Parish (Baton Rouge)
- On lots **less than 1 acre**: max **3 hens**, **no roosters**.
- Lots **≥ 1 acre**: no hen limit, roosters allowed on lots ≥ 2 acres.
- Coop must be in backyard, **≥ 25 ft from neighbor homes**, and **≥ 10 ft from lot line**.
- At least 4 sq ft per hen in coop, 10 sq ft per hen in run.
- No permit required for residential flocks.
Jefferson Parish (Metairie, Kenner)
- Up to **6 hens**, **no roosters** in residential areas.
- Coop must be in rear yard, **15–25 ft from lot lines or homes**.
- Enclosed, predator‑proof, clean environment required.
- No permit for small flocks; HOA rules may override city code.
Caddo Parish (Shreveport & Rural)
- City of Shreveport: Up to **6 hens**, **no roosters**.
- Coop fenced, predator‑resistant, at least **25 ft from dwellings**, sanitary.
- Henhouse min **3 sq ft per hen**, run min **6 sq ft per hen**.
- Permit typically required from city planning.
- Unincorporated areas with rural zoning allow more hens and roosters.
Lafayette Parish (Lafayette City & Rural)
- City allows chickens with **no limit on hens**.
- Roosters are **allowed**, but nuisance noise rules apply.
- Coop must be in rear yard, **≥ 25 ft from dwellings**, **≥10 ft from lot line**.
- Predator‑proof, ventilated, odor‑controlled enclosures required.
- No permit required for backyard flocks.
- In rural areas, rules are more flexible.
St. Tammany Parish (Slidell, Covington)
- Up to **8 hens** in suburban areas; **roosters are prohibited**.
- Coop must be enclosed and predator‑proof, **≥ 20 ft from lot lines**.
- No permit usually needed for personal flocks.
Calcasieu Parish (Lake Charles & Rural)
- City of Lake Charles: Up to **6 hens**, **no roosters**.
- Coop must be in rear yard, **≥ 25 ft from neighboring homes**.
- Clean, enclosed, well‑maintained housing required.
- No roaming chickens; no permit for small flocks.
Ouachita Parish (Monroe & Surroundings)
- Monroe city allows up to **6 hens**, **no roosters**.
- Coop must be at least **20 ft from neighbor dwellings**, enclosed, sanitary.
- No permit required for residential birds.
- Outside city, rural rules are more permissive.
Rapides Parish (Alexandria & Nearby)
- City of Alexandria: Up to **6 hens**, **roosters banned**.
- Coop must be in rear yard, meet **25‑ft setback**, enclosed, and clean.
- No permit required for typical residential flocks.
- Unincorporated areas may allow more freedom.
Other Parishes / Smaller Cities
- Alexandria, Monroe, Gretna, Ruston, Hammond, New Iberia, Pineville and others allow chickens, usually no set limit but prohibit roaming.
- Kenner: ≤ 3 hens on lots <1 acre; cooperative setbacks of 25–50 ft; no permit required.
- Central, Louisiana: hens allowed, roosters allowed only if lot > 2 acres.
- Bossier City: some residents report chickens not permitted within city limits.
Common Rules Across Louisiana
- Hen limits usually range from 3 up to 10, often 6.
- Roosters are generally prohibited in residential lots or limited to farms or large acreage (>1–2 acres).
- Coops must be in rear yards, meet setbacks (10–50 ft), be predator‑proof, and kept sanitary.
- Most cities don’t require permits for small personal flocks.
- Henhouses must not allow free roaming and must meet size standards.
- HOAs may impose stricter restrictions even where city allows chickens.
Summary Table
| Parish/City | Hens Allowed | Roosters? | Permit? | Key Rules |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans (Orleans) | 6‑10 hens | Yes (≥25 ft) | Yes | Rear yard; coop setbacks; clean & predator‑proof |
| Baton Rouge (East Baton Rouge) | 3 hens (<1 ac); unlimited ≥1 ac | No on small lots; yes on ≥2 ac | No for small flocks | Backyard; setbacks 10/25 ft |
| Metairie/Kenner (Jefferson) | Up to 6 hens | No | No | 15‑25 ft setbacks; rear yard; sanitary coop |
| Shreveport (Caddo) | Up to 6 hens | No | Yes | Henhouse + run; coop/run size; 25 ft setbacks |
| Lafayette (Lafayette) | No limit | Yes (noise limits apply) | No | Rear yard; 10/25 ft setbacks; sanitary |
| Slidell/Covington (St. Tammany) | Up to 8 hens | No | No | 20 ft from lines; clean coop |
| Lake Charles (Calcasieu) | Up to 6 hens | No | No | Rear yard; setbacks 25 ft; enclosure |
| Monroe (Ouachita) | Up to 6 hens | No | No | 20 ft setbacks; coop enclosed |
| Alexandria (Rapides) | Up to 6 hens | No | No | Rear yard; setbacks 25 ft; sanitary coop |
Tips to Stay Legal and Neighborly
- Check whether your lot falls under city or parish zoning—many rules differ inside city limits.
- Confirm whether your HOA or landlord permits chickens.
- Limit hens to allowed number and avoid roosters unless zoning allows them.
- Place coop in rear yard and follow setback rules closely.
- Ensure coop & run are predator‑proof, ventilated, and odor‑controlled.
- Most flocks don’t need permits—but large coops or commercial use may.
- Inform neighbors and operate quietly to avoid complaints.
Why These Rules Exist
These rules are meant to keep neighborhoods peaceful, reduce noise (especially from roosters), control odor and pests, and ensure chicken housing is clean and safe. Setbacks prevent conflict with neighbors. Permits and coop standards help officials manage health and compliance. Overall, these laws balance personal chicken keeping with community wellbeing.
Bottom Line
In Louisiana, backyard hens are widely permitted—but exact limits on hens, roosters, coop location, and permit rules depend on your parish and whether you’re inside a city. Most parishes allow 6 hens; roosters are usually banned unless property is large or rural. New Orleans and Lafayette are more flexible; other cities enforce strict setback and coop-cleanliness rules. If you share your parish or specific city/town, I can help check the exact current ordinance for your address.