I have been a long time lurker and been researching chickens for quite a while now. My only problem is space, I have a VERY small yard. But I am only looking at having 2-3 chickens. I cant give them free roam of my yard because it seems all my neighbors have cats. So I started to design a coop/small run, the run would be maybe 6' long by 30" wide. Then I got the smart idea, why not take over a large chunk of space I am not even using. Its about 20' long x 3' wide. Here is a pic: I would built the coop in the rear most area, then fence off the front, and do a chicken wire roof as well. What do you guys think?? The problem is that is not really in the sun at all, but I could build a well insulated coop, I am located in WA so the cold is what I would be worried about. Thanks!!
I think it would be ok, as far as i've read (im a newbie at this myself) chickens arent huge fans of direct sunlight, they just like light in general...... I kinda did what you did, i used an old tool shed on the side of my house as a coop and the run is between the fence and the house... although im a sucker and I let my chickens run through the yard all day.... so much for flowers this year
As long as you could get to the coop to feed, clean, collect egss, it should work. Also, one to think of is any type of smell coming from the coop will be very close to your house and the neighbors. I would line the run with sand for easy clean up. But it's a great use of space otherwise probably not being used. Better shade than too much sun and heat.
This is actually our detached garage (on the left), and on the other side of the natural wood color fence in the rear is an alley way, and the neighbors on the right of the red fence, it is their parking area. So I dont think the noise or smell would be a problem. Actually I was thinking about cutting a hole in the garage and putting the nesting boxes in the garage so I can collect the eggs without actually going inside the run. I do like the idea of a sand run as well
Seems to me it would be a tight squeeze as far as cleaning & just getting in & being able to move around; I guess that would actually depend on you--I'm going by my size and avoidance of small spaces lol. I DO think it's a GREAT use of space! Very ingenious. But why not bring it out to the end of the fence so they could get some sun in the winter? Or would that make it too obvious that you have them there?
You've got guttering there, right? Does it work properly? You'll want to extend the gutter pipe so that it deposits the water out and away from any potential run. You don't want your run to get wet and boggy. If it was me, I'd extend the run at least a bit into the part of the yard that's not shaded by the garage, too. Part sun, part shade = perfect. Oh, and by the way, about the chicken wire. You know that chicken wire isn't predator secure, right? Some people use it as a roof to keep out hawks, but realize that it won't keep out raccoons, so they lock their chickens inside a secure coop at night. If it was me, for such a small space, I'd spring for the extra security of hardware cloth.
