A WWYD regarding property lines

[Concordmommy]

Hi all...

I want to build a nice coop for 4-5 chickens. We can legally have up to 12 in our city, but the coop has to be 25 feet from any property line. Part of me wants to build in the right place and just be done with that, but that particular spot would be tough in the summer time (SF Bay area, hot in-land, gets up to 110 back there). Perfect spot is by the fenceline, well shaded, lots of room, old plants we have to dig up anyway. If I put it in the *legal* spot, we'd have to transplant two nice rose bushes. DH isn't terribly pleased about that.

So...wwyd--build something near the fence and move it if we get caught, or just do it legally and figure something out with the heat?

There are pros and cons to both. If we put it near the fence and a neighbor turns us in, we'll just have to move it to the right place, unless they decide to cite us or something.

sigh...too many decisions!!

 

[1mommahen]

Don't ask, Don't tell!

 

[TillinWithMyPeeps]

Put in along the fence. If you happen to get caught, try to play dumb, and just move them.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Talk to your neighbor and explain the situation; if they're reasonable and you don't have an excess of birds or roosters it likely won't be an issue.

You can also build it so that it is movable--not as much as a tractor, but without a foundation and with some extra sturdiness added to hold it in the right shape if you need to move it.

If you decide to plant by the roses, plant next to them rather than removing them--vegetation is cooling and attractive. Consider planting some vines to cover and shade the area, blocking & filtering southern and westerly sun.

 

[Concordmommy]

Oh, I'd love that. My problem is that I really want this one:
http://www.mypetchicken.com/Chicken...op_Building_Plans_up_to_8_chickens_-P535.aspx

but dude...it's huge and there's no way it will go unnoticed. And we can't move it easily to the appropriate place...and it's too high to go in the *legal* place.

Other one we're considering is this one:
http://www.mypetchicken.com/Chicken_Coop_Plans-4_x_8_Chicken_Coop_Building_Plans-P202.aspx

which would go fine in either place.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Trust me, it you're worried about heat DO NOT build with the translucent roof--think greenhouse: sweltering and hotter than outside. I know this from experience; my original coop has a translucent plastic roof--we realized it could be a problem almost immediately, but it was already on and fortunately the coop was mostly shaded by citrus trees.

My favourite of my coops is 6x8x6' tall, and it can be moved; however it is built with fence pickets, 1x2, 1x4, 2x2 & lattice. 8' tall is generally a waste. Depending on how tall you and your family are, 6' tall is plenty.

The first design is very nice, but I would definitely substitute metal (heat reflective) or a non-translucent plastic or wood for the roof.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Oh, and you could modify the 1st--either taking the height removed all from the bottom half, or splitting it between the two.

 

[yfchoice]

We just finished the first one....used the blue color of that roof rather than translucent. You could paint it a reflective color too. It is too big to move. I have no problems with my neighbors and even told them about what I was doing. They were fine with it. Of course, they get veggies from my garden too. We did some changes on the original plan....moved the door, expanded the coop part a little. I think it is going to be awesome for my chickens. They are ready to move in...they are almost 10 weeks old.

 

[HennysMom]

why not just abide by the law and put it where you're supposed to? If shade is a concern, then correct the coop to provide shade or plant things to provide shade. Moving rose bushes are not that big of a deal IMO - you want chickens, your laws allow you to have them, so follow the laws and do whats right by your neighbors.

What they say now might be "yeah okay, thats fine" until you get a squaking hen (like 2 of mine - they sound like geese every single morning a few times a day even!) and then, it may become an issue. No sense trying to "bribe" your way out of a situation when you legally can do it.

 

[Concordmommy]

Well, putting it in the "legal" place isn't ideal, both for heat and our yard. My husband doesn't want the thing to be a major feature of the yard and take up too much space that could be used for our playing children.

I'm just going to be nervous all the time and have a jard time enjoying it and telling people about my flock for fear someone is going to turn me in. I wish I could relax about it...

We have started the first one already. it's looking gorgeous!