UConn Extension releases new fact sheet on backyard chickens and One Health in Connecticut

Connecticut residents have a growing interest in backyard poultry. A new fact sheet from UConn Extension, Permitting and Regulating Backyard Chickens in Connecticut: A One Health Perspective, provides guidance for residents, regulators, and municipalities. Extension professionals Sara Tomis, Renata Bertotti, David Dickson and Indu Upadhyaya wrote the fact sheet, addressing the One Health, land use, and food safety aspects of keeping poultry at home.

As more households explore raising chickens for eggs and food-security reasons, this fact sheet emphasizes the interconnected nature of public health, animal health, and environmental health — the core of the One Health framework. It outlines zoning considerations, benefits, common concerns (noise, odor, manure, disease transmission), and best practice regulatory approaches.

Key highlights include

The fact that approximately two thirds of Connecticut’s 169 municipalities allow backyard chickens in some form, but each has its own decisions on where, when, and how chickens are permitted.
Guidance on location of coops and runs to protect water quality, e.g., at least 75 feet downgradient from a well, 100 feet from wetlands.
Recommendations for biosecurity and sanitation to reduce zoonotic disease risks such as Salmonella and avian influenza.
Advice for municipalities on how to craft zoning and ordinance language supporting responsible backyard poultry keeping while safeguarding neighbors, environment, and animal welfare.

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“Raising backyard chickens can be a rewarding and educational experience,” remarked Sara Tomis, a co-author. “But it also requires thoughtful planning, care, and cooperation with municipal regulations to ensure its beneficial for people, animals and the environment.”

This fact sheet is part of UConn Extension’s broader mission of delivering “Answers You Can Trust” by empowering residents, municipalities and stakeholders with science-based resources in agriculture, food safety, environmental quality and community health.

Visit s.uconn.edu/permitting for more information or to download the fact sheet.

Don’t miss

• Lake Compounce brings the magic of the season back with Holiday Lights 2025
• November events at Lyman Orchards: Dog adoption, bonsai workshop, holiday fun, and more
• Keeler Tavern Museum’s Holiday Boutique in the Barn opens on November 20

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November events at Fairfield Theatre Company

November at Fairfield Theatre Company is packed with a diverse lineup of events, from live music and tribute shows to film and community gatherings. Highlights include Kelsey Waldon on November 1, Color Me Obsessed: A Film about The Replacements and The Monet plays Jamiroquai on the 2nd, Heather Maloney & Dan Rodriguez on the 4th, Brian Dolzani as the Loner: The Music of Neil Young on the 6th, and the FTC Encore Gala on the 8th. The month also features performances by Zoso, Paul Bogaev, Mike Farris, Tropidelic, Black Flag, Mary Fahl, Shemekia Copeland, Marshall Crenshaw, The Jayhawks, and more, including multi-night appearances from Reid Genauer Soloand festive events like Funksgiving. With something for every taste, November at FTC offers music, film, and seasonal celebrations for the whole community.

November 2025 calendar of events
11/6 – Brian Dolzani as the Loner: The Music of Neil Young
11/8 – FTC Encore Gala
11/9 – Zoso
11/10 – An Evening with Paul Bogaev
11/12 – Randye Kaye
11/12 – Mike Farris
11/13 – FTC Short Film Festival
11/13 – Tropidelic
11/14 – Black Flag
11/14 -Mary Fahl
11/15 – A Night of Music
11/15 -Shemekia Copeland
11/16 – 399 Forever
11/16 – The Strange Dark
11/19 – Marshall Crenshaw
11/20 – The Arcadian Wild
11/21 – The Jayhawks
11/21 – Reid Genauer Solo
11/22 – Reid Genauer Solo
11/23 – Reid Genauer Solo
11/24 -Funksgiving
11/28 – Jake Swamp & The Pine
11/28 – Mullett
11/29 – Faster Things

Click here for more information & order tickets.

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November events at PeoplesBank Arena

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11/25 – Stonehill College vs UConn Ice Hockey, click here to purchase tickets
11/26 – Springfield Thunderbirds vs Hartford Wolf Pack, click here to purchase tickets

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UConn Extension releases new fact sheet on backyard chickens and One Health in Connecticut