Backyard chickens in Hamilton, Ohio

No — with a narrow exception. Under the City of Hamilton's Codified Ordinances, Chapter 1771 (Animals), §1771.18(f) states: "No person shall own, keep, brood, raise, or harbor any live fowl or poultry within the City of Hamilton except in a district which is zoned for agricultural use." This means backyard chickens (hens or roosters) are prohibited on any residentially-zoned lot in Hamilton, and are only lawful on property that carries an AG (Agricultural District) zoning designation. Caged pet birds kept indoors (canaries, parakeets, parrots, etc.) are exempt from the prohibition under §1771.18(g), and schools may temporarily brood chicks for educational/scientific purposes under §1771.18(h)-(i), but private residents may not keep the chicks afterward.

Hamilton, Ohio has a humid continental climate with hot, humid summers and cold winters, including regular sub-freezing nights and occasional snow. Any poultry kept legally on AG-zoned land in the area should have a well-insulated, draft-free coop for winter and good ventilation/shade for summer heat and humidity.

Southwest Ohio's mix of urban, suburban, and rural land near the Great Miami River supports healthy populations of raccoons, red-tailed hawks, foxes, coyotes, and opossums, all of which are known backyard-poultry predators in Butler County. Any flock kept on qualifying agricultural land in Hamilton should be secured in a fully enclosed, hardware-cloth-covered run, especially overnight.