Raising chickens...in the city...on the roof???

[sharptooth]

Hi BYC!

I’ve been a lurker here for far too long and thought I’d finally make an account and join in on the chicken chatter

Wondering if anyone has experience raising chickens without a backyard that they can share?

TLDR: my mom has a small flock of 4 silkies that, for a lack of a better way of saying it, she basically no longer wants.
I on the other hand, have fallen massively in love with these poofballs and have basically taken on their care 24/7 for the past year that I’ve been temporarily living with them. My parents are in the suburbs, with a large backyard.

I will be moving back to the city soon, and would love to take them with me (I fear they will be neglected otherwise…)
However, my new place has no outdoor area, except for a very large rooftop patio. It is basically the size of a small backyard…just…higher up…without dirt and grass.

Is it possible at all to raise chickens somewhere like that?? Or would I just be decreasing their quality of life?

I recently stumbled upon The Smart Coop where they featured their AI enhanced coop on a New York balcony which totally got me scheming.

But BYC folks, please let me know if I am crazy to even consider this? Thanks in advance

(I attached a generic photo representative of the rooftop I'd have + screenshot of Smart Coop's video since I can't seem to attach a video)

 

[nuthatched]

I think you could, as long as they have lots of shade. Make can you make an area of dirt for them? Chickens need dirt.

 

[Yardmom]

Chickens need areas for dust baths and need to be given grit if they can't get to stones on their own. Blocking wind and keeping them cool enough would also be important.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Thanks everyone so far for your input! Duly noted on all of the pointers mentioned.

Thoughts on....free ranging on a rooftop? I'd hate for them to be locked up in a run all the time, but the possibility of falling off a rooftop is a real fear

I would absolutely not free range them. Rlfree range and silkies already don't mesh well, and on a roof top they'd be easy pickings for flying predators

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I'm less concerned with aerial predators (I'll be in the heart of a dense city), than the chickens themselves falling off, but both are definitely a concern. But sounds like free ranging on a rooftop is a no go

Maybe I'll just turn the whole roof into a huge run hahaha

Usually there are still raptors, even in cities. Lots of food sources there

 

[AntiqueB]

And as long as the neighbors don't mind, and it's legal.

Chickens need to scratch around and dustbathe. Maybe you can make a little raised bed for them in the run?

 

[tlcmurphy]

The rooftop coop and run is a fascinating idea! Please do not free range up there though

 

[AntiqueB]

NYC had peregrine falcons, red tail hawks, and osprey regularly flying overhead. Cities are full of aerial predators.

 

[MinnPeeps]

Chickens love to stretch their wings and practice their flying skills. My girls find flying from one area to another is faster.

 

[sharptooth]

Really the legality of it is the main thing. You own the building? The generic photo you included looks like a shared rooftop patio, probably not a place for chickens unless management is okay with it.

There's probably also some consideration for the potential of damage to the surface of the roof top from moisture, and you'd need a plan on how to manage litter as well since you can't simply pitch it off the building.

The rooftop patio is private and belongs to me only. It is the top floor of a detached townhouse I am purchasing. I would not put my chickens up on a communal rooftop, lol.

Thanks everyone for your input - this has been incredibly insightful. I am leaning towards rooftop chickens not being as feasible as I dreamed, or at least extremely difficult to maintain for both myself and the wellbeing of the girls. We'll have to think of a plan B....