Curious about what being a backyard chicken farmer might be like?

A group of volunteer chicken farmers -- who, in their words, "seek to promote the joy of chickens and the freedom to design and build small structures within the city without permit requirements" -- are offering a one-day, self-guided tour of coops on the North Side and East End Sunday, June 9.

(Permits are required in the city of Pittsburgh. City zoning regulations allow a backyard farmer to house up to three chickens on a minimum lot size of 2,000 square feet. An additional chicken is allowed for each additional 1,000 square feet. More info here.)

The tour lasts from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is in its third year. Urban chicken farmers will be at each location to talk about the effort and answer questions. According to the information sent by the group, "there will also be opportunities to photograph and get to know the chickens up close and personal."

Tickets are $10. Proceeds benefit Just Harvest. Ticket locations on the day of the tour are:

* Quiet Storm, 5430 Penn Ave. in Friendship
* Tazza D'Oro at 1125 North Highland Ave. in Highland Park
* Animal Nature at 7610 Forbes Ave. in Regent Square
* Thompson 0.08 Acres (residential location) at 1240 Resaca Place in the Mexican War Streets
* Choderwood at 7665 Lock Way West, at the Highland Park Dam at the intersection of Washington Boulevard and Allegheny River Boulevard.

A guided East End bike tour is also available at 9:15 a.m. starting at Animal Nature in Regent Square.