Henry County, GA Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Chicken cap
- 4 hens max under 3 acres; roosters banned
- Chicken min lot
- 1/2 acre to keep outdoors
- Mini pig/goat cap
- 1 pig or 2 goats under 3 acres
- Mini pig/goat min lot
- 1 acre to keep outdoors
- Coop rule
- Enclosed all sides, top; rear yard only
- Penalty
- Up to $1,000 fine and/or 60 days jail
Summary
Henry County caps backyard flocks at four hens, bans roosters outright, and requires at least half an acre with a full coop and fenced enclosure to keep them outdoors. Miniature pigs and goats face their own cap of one pig or two goats on lots under three acres, with a one-acre minimum and fencing to keep them outside.
(a)Backyard chickens shall mean a female pullet or hen of the Gallus gallus domesticus; which are or may be raised for the purpose of providing food or companionship as a pet. Roosters are strictly prohibited.(b)Only four (4) backyard chickens may be located on any premises and/or property less than three (3) acres in size.(c)Backyard chickens may be kept outdoors only if;(1)Property on which the animal(s) are kept is one-half (½) an acre or larger...(4)Animal(s) must be contained within a fenced enclosure of wire, wood, stone, or other materials...In addition to the fence, all backyard chickens must be housed in a coop that is enclosed on all sides including the top, located only in the rear yard of the lot. ... (a)Only one (1) miniature pig or two (2) miniature goats may be located on any premises and/or property less than three (3) acres in size.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 44).
Full Breakdown
Sec. " Sec. 3-4-11 imposes a parallel scheme for miniature pigs and miniature goats: a cap of "one (1) miniature pig or two (2) miniature goats" on property under three acres, a one-acre minimum and comparable fencing (again, no invisible fencing) if kept outdoors, mandatory tusk trimming for pigs, negative testing for swine brucellosis and pseudorabies, and a requirement that males be neutered.
Violations & Fines
Exceeding the four-hen or rooster ban, or the one-pig/two-goat cap, or keeping either species outdoors without the required acreage, fencing, or coop, is punishable under Sec. 3-4-15(e) and Sec. 3-4-11(f) by a fine not to exceed $1,000, imprisonment in the county jail for up to 60 days, or both.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many chickens can you keep in unincorporated Henry County?
Do Henry County chicken coops have specific requirements?
Can you keep a pig or goat on a small lot in Henry County?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Henry County
How Henry County compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·Compare Henry County to another location·View the Georgia animal ordinances overview
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