I raised chickens last year (hatched them in my kids' classrooms) and built a coop at my dad's place in the country. We couldn't keep chickens ourselves because of our city's regulations.
BUT! They just changed and are doing a two-year trial starting in May. So the babies that are hatching in our incubators (today!!!) can come and live with us in the city!
Here's my situation. We are hatching Light Brahmas, Welsummers and Golden-laced Wyandotts. So, larger, cold hardy breeds. (We live in the mid-west. brrr). We have a small lot and the regs say that our coop has to be 10 feet from property lines. Our lot is long and skinny with a garage with windows that look out into the backyard from the back and the side.
If I build a coop outside, it will take up our valuable yard space and be super close to 10 feet. Might not quite make it, and although I don't anticipate issues with our neighbors, I'd like to stay within the law
I'm thinking I would like to build a cupboard type coop inside the garage against the side window and then a run outside the window. (Does this make sense?) I would then put in a ladder so the birds could climb up it, through the window and back into the coop in the garage. I like the idea of having food/bedding/supplies inside the garage and easy to access, and also the added warmth the garage could provide in the winter.
Does this sound like a viable plan? Do you see any pitfalls? I'm currently thinking that ventilation/drafts might be an issue? Anything else? Anyone have any pictures small garage coops?
BUT! They just changed and are doing a two-year trial starting in May. So the babies that are hatching in our incubators (today!!!) can come and live with us in the city!
Here's my situation. We are hatching Light Brahmas, Welsummers and Golden-laced Wyandotts. So, larger, cold hardy breeds. (We live in the mid-west. brrr). We have a small lot and the regs say that our coop has to be 10 feet from property lines. Our lot is long and skinny with a garage with windows that look out into the backyard from the back and the side.
If I build a coop outside, it will take up our valuable yard space and be super close to 10 feet. Might not quite make it, and although I don't anticipate issues with our neighbors, I'd like to stay within the law
I'm thinking I would like to build a cupboard type coop inside the garage against the side window and then a run outside the window. (Does this make sense?) I would then put in a ladder so the birds could climb up it, through the window and back into the coop in the garage. I like the idea of having food/bedding/supplies inside the garage and easy to access, and also the added warmth the garage could provide in the winter.
Does this sound like a viable plan? Do you see any pitfalls? I'm currently thinking that ventilation/drafts might be an issue? Anything else? Anyone have any pictures small garage coops?