While many cities across the country are changing their laws to allow residents to keep a few chickens, some are steadfastly refusing. Even if your city allows a few chickens, your neighbors may not be so welcoming. In these instances, those who want to keep a few hens will need to look at chicken coop designs that can fool the neighbors.

If you only have a few hens, this is easy to do. There are many chicken coop designs out there that can be disguised as a recycling bin or other small structure. Even a small run can be designed with slats to look like a compost bin. Your neighbors won't have a clue! You can even choose "stealth" chickens that blend in with the surroundings better than others. Rhode Island Reds, Red Stars or other brown chickens are better at camouflage than some of the other breeds. You may even consider some of the black chickens like Australorps or Jersey Giants.

Another alternative is to plant around your chicken coop. You'll want to select plants that will keep your coop and run hidden year round, but that don't provide a lot of hiding places for predators. A hedge rose or other plant that you can keep trimmed may work well. Roses are also edible, so if your chickens nibble a bit, they won't be harmed. Don't plant around the side that faces your house so you can enjoy watching your chickens.

You'll want to look at chicken coop designs that look more like a utility shed or other structure that anyone may have in their yard. Paint the exterior to match your home and make it attractive. Neighbors are usually concerned with the view out their window, so if it looks nice, they won't be as apt to complain. These "stealth" chicken coops can actually use quite a few different designs and still not alert the neighbors.

Be sure to cover the chicken run so your hens cannot fly out and go visiting. This will also protect them from aerial predators like hawks and eagles. If the run is not very tall, make sure you can lift the covering easily to gain access when needed. Many chicken coop designs include a run. This can give you an idea of how to approach this.

Hens do make a bit of noise when they lay eggs, so if your neighbors are still not happy, offer to share some fresh eggs with them when your hens begin to lay. They may never complain again once they've tasted them. If they find your chickens more endearing, hiding your coop won't be such an issue. They may even decide to get a few themselves, and you'll be able to advise them on the best chicken coop designs to consider as well as on general chicken care. You'll become the neighborhood chicken expert, and before you know it you'll all be swapping chicken stories and egg recipes over the back fence.