Backyard chickens in Mission, Texas

Yes. Under the City of Mission's Code of Ordinances, Chapter 14 – Animals, Article II (Keeping and Regulation of Animals and Fowl), it is permissible to keep rabbits, chickens, ducks, geese, quail, and pigeons within the corporate limits of the city, provided the birds are kept penned, are not kept for commercial purposes, and the owner complies with city, county, state, and federal health and sanitary regulations. The code further requires that the number of fowl kept and the manner of penning/handling them must not cause noise that disturbs neighboring residents.

Mission's ordinance does not set a specific numeric cap on hens — instead it uses a general sanitation/no-nuisance-noise standard (§ 14-31). Separately, the code establishes a distance restriction for domestic fowl: it is unlawful to raise, keep, pen, or harbor domestic fowl within 100 feet of any residential building, hotel, church, school, store, or other building frequented or inhabited by people within the city limits (§ 14-31). A stricter 300-foot setback applies to livestock (not chickens) unless the property is in an agricultural/open zoning district.

The ordinance text located does not separately mention or restrict roosters by name — it regulates "domestic fowl" as a category subject to the same penning, sanitation, and noise-nuisance rules.

Mission sits in the Rio Grande Valley of deep South Texas, one of the hottest and most humid parts of the state. Summers are long, with high temperatures frequently in the mid-90s to low 100s°F combined with high humidity, while winters are mild and short with only occasional brief cold snaps. Flock owners should prioritize shade, ventilation, and constant access to cool water from roughly April through October, and guard against the rare winter freeze events that can occur.

South Texas backyards near the Rio Grande Valley's brushland and irrigation canals can attract raccoons, opossums, and rat snakes seeking eggs, plus hawks patrolling from above during the day. Coyotes and bobcats are present in the surrounding ranch and brush country and may venture into semi-rural or edge-of-city properties, especially at night. Secure, fully-enclosed coops with buried hardware cloth and a covered run are recommended given this predator mix.