A South Nashville backyard coop which, until this week, had been skirting the law.

-- Photo: Lyle Graves | Nashville Ledger

Nashville’s new featherd neighbors bring many questions, including:

Q. Don’t they need roosters to have eggs?

A. No. Hens will lay eggs without a rooster. Roosters are only needed to fertilize the egg.

Q. How much will it cost?

A. There is an annual registration fee of $25. The hens will need a protective structure, and premade ones can cost hundreds. Old doghouses or sheds can be converted to chicken coops, or you can find one on Craigslist. Williamson County resident Carrie Wilkins’ husband built their coop with $400 in materials.

Q. Where do I get baby chicks?

A. Baby chicks can be ordered online from a variety of vendors. Or, by calling local farms or feed stores.

Q. What about the smell?

A. With such a small number of hens, the smell should be minimal. Wilkins uses the deep-litter method, which allows the coop litter to build up over a period of time. As the chicken manure and litter of choice compost, it helps to heat the coop, which in turn helps keep the chickens warmer. “One tiny little pile of dog poop smells way worse than an entire coop for the whole summer,” Wilkins says. “It is amazing to me.”

Q. What about the noise?

A. Hens can make noise sporadically a few times a day, but usually not once it gets dark. The cackling usually lasts under a minute.

Q. How many eggs can I expect?

A. In general, a hen will lay an egg every 1-3 days, less in colder months and more often in the summer.