Backyard Chickens in Manhattan, Kansas

Can you keep chickens in Manhattan?

Welcome to Manhattan, Kansas — the "Little Apple" — one of the most backyard-chicken-friendly cities in the state. With no cap on flock size, no permit, and no fee, Manhattan residents can keep a flock of hens as long as they're confined to the property, kept a reasonable distance from neighboring homes, and don't become a nuisance.

Yes – with conditions

Yes. The City of Manhattan, Kansas allows residents to keep chickens (hens) within city limits. Per the city's own guidance, "Chickens are allowed in Manhattan as long as they are confined on your property (not running at large) and do not become a public nuisance." There is no cap on the number of hens and no permit or fee is required. Roosters are effectively disallowed because the city's animal-nuisance and noise ordinances specifically prohibit crowing and other disturbances that annoy neighbors, and secondary chicken-law sources uniformly report roosters as prohibited. Fowl must not run at large (Sec. 6-2) and coops/pens must be kept at least 25 feet from a neighboring dwelling (Sec. 6-3). Animal nuisances of any kind, including odor and noise, are separately prohibited under Sec. 6-8.

Read the ordinance ↗

The rules at a glance

Hens in city limits: Allowed
How many hens: No Set Limit
Roosters: No
Permit required: No
Permit cost: Not specified
Setback from property line: 25 ft.

Peggy knows Manhattan

The rules, straight from the municipal code.

Chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, and other domestic fowl may not run at large within the city (Sec. 6-2). Any stable, shed, pen, or other place where fowl or other animals are kept may not be located closer than 25 feet to the dwelling house of another person, and must be kept clean so as not to become an annoyance to neighbors (Sec. 6-3). The keeping of any domestic animal, livestock, or fowl constituting a public nuisance is separately prohibited, and the Board of Health may abate such nuisances (Sec. 6-8). The city's general noise ordinance also makes crowing and other disturbing animal noises unlawful, which is why roosters are generally not kept. No registration, license, or fee is required to keep hens.

Where this comes from

Keeping a flock happy in Manhattan

🌡️ Climate

USDA Hardiness Zone 6b (humid continental/subtropical transition)

Manhattan, Kansas sits in the Flint Hills region and experiences hot, humid summers (often 90s°F) and cold winters with occasional sub-0°F snaps and strong prairie winds. Coops should provide good summer ventilation/shade plus solid wind-blocking and insulation for winter, and predator-proof, secure runs given the open rural-edge terrain around the city.

🦝 Who's after your hens

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Manhattan's mix of urban lots backing onto farmland, creeks, and the Flint Hills prairie means backyard flocks face pressure from raccoons, hawks (including red-tailed hawks), coyotes, foxes, opossums, snakes, and skunks. Secure, hardware-cloth-covered runs, locked coop doors, and overhead netting are recommended, especially near greenbelts and the Kansas River corridor.

🐔 Breeds that do well here

Plymouth Rock, Rhode Island Red, Wyandotte, Orpington, Australorp, Ameraucana — cold-hardy, dual-purpose breeds that tolerate Kansas's temperature swings well.

Our package comes with two Rhode Island Reds – hardy in heat and cold, and friendly with kids.

Questions people ask about Manhattan

▸How many hens can I keep in Manhattan, KS?

There is no numeric limit. The city's ordinance guidance states there are no limits on the number of chickens, provided they are confined to your property and do not become a public nuisance.

▸Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Manhattan?

No. The city confirms no fees or licenses are required to keep backyard chickens.

▸Can I keep a rooster in Manhattan?

Practically, no. While the core fowl ordinance doesn't name roosters specifically, the city's noise/nuisance code prohibits crowing and disturbances, and multiple chicken-law sources confirm roosters are not permitted within city limits.

▸How far must my coop be from my neighbor's house?

Coops, pens, sheds, or stables housing chickens must be at least 25 feet from the dwelling house of another person, per Sec. 6-3 of the city code.

▸Can my chickens free-range in my yard?

Yes, as long as they stay confined to your own property. Letting chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, or other domestic fowl run at large within the city is unlawful under Sec. 6-2.

City rules change, and this page is a summary rather than legal advice. Please confirm with Manhattan or your HOA before you order – and call us on (559) 321-7271 if you'd like a hand. Last checked September 26, 2026.