Anyone in Des Moines IA area?

[justuschickens]

Just wondering if there were any people in Des Moines Iowa here? We are on the east side. We have been keeping chickens since last June (2008.) Our neighbors used to have ducks until recently and they just disappeared...starting to feel a little isolated. It would be nice to know others in the area who are also enjoying having a small flock.
We have four EE's (lovely girls) and just brought home two new girls. One crested silver laced polish and one buff orpington.
Anyway thought I would introduce myself and see who else was in the area. Would love to hear about your chickens.

-Sheri

 

[papinator]

Hi! I am in Beaverdale

I think we are the only ones, too? But I'm sure there has to be more chicken people out there...

 

[mlabresh]

hi! I'm in Des Moines too. In Beaverdale. I don't have my chickens yet, we're setting up this month.

 

[blueheron]

By now you may know there are a few neighbors with chickens. I live in Beaverdale also. Only 3 chickens currently, looking for more. Planning to get some ducks at the end of June.
I live on 46th St.
K

 

[KinderChicksMom]

I am on the East side of Des Moines near the fairgrounds. I won't be getting chicks until next May but I am busy building my coop this summer. I am glad I found some other people who are in Des Moines, I have lots of questions and it will be great if we can help each other.

 

[KSevere]

Hi guys, I'm new to this site but have read through quite a few things already. My husband and I just purchased our home in August. We are also in the Lower Beaver / Beaverdale area on 42nd St. I was thrilled to learn that we can have chickens inside city limits. I've been doing some research and had a few questions for any of you willing to answer. Here is the city ordinance that I found for Des Moines: http://www.dmgov.org/Government/CityCouncil/Ordinances/14866.pdf

One question that I have is the space requirement. It states: "Small caged animals and fowl such as...
chickens... shall be allowed, provided that: (1) Cages, hutches, coops, cotes, lofts or other confinement shall be at least 25
feet away from any neighboring residence; such enclosures shall be of sufficient size to house the number of animals or fowl permitted by state or national standards."

The area that I want to put our chickens is in our backyard, against the side of our north fence, which doesn't have a neighbor against it directly. Is the 25 feet rule strict? Is it 25 feet from the neighbor's house, or 25 feet from the property/fence line?

Also, what do you do in the winter? I've heard that some people put a heat lamp in their hen house, and others said that chickens create their own heat and don't need a heat lamp if their hen house is well insulated and draft-free. From what I saw, it would be important to have a heated water feeder, but other thoughts/suggestions?

Anything else you found helpful, I would appreciate. Thanks!

 

[mamabearx2]

We are on the outskirts of Des Moines near Norwoodville, 6 Red Pullets 4 ducklings (2 pekin, 1 mallard and 1 Swedish)

 

[BackyardBonnie]

I live in Boone. We just got our very first chicks (4) two weeks ago. We're working on building a chicken tractor for them right now. They sure are fun so far!

 

[Cooper Farms]

Hi guys, I'm new to this site but have read through quite a few things already. My husband and I just purchased our home in August. We are also in the Lower Beaver / Beaverdale area on 42nd St. I was thrilled to learn that we can have chickens inside city limits. I've been doing some research and had a few questions for any of you willing to answer. Here is the city ordinance that I found for Des Moines: http://www.dmgov.org/Government/CityCouncil/Ordinances/14866.pdf One question that I have is the space requirement. It states: "Small caged animals and fowl such as... chickens... shall be allowed, provided that: (1) Cages, hutches, coops, cotes, lofts or other confinement shall be at least 25 feet away from any neighboring residence; such enclosures shall be of sufficient size to house the number of animals or fowl permitted by state or national standards." The area that I want to put our chickens is in our backyard, against the side of our north fence, which doesn't have a neighbor against it directly. Is the 25 feet rule strict? Is it 25 feet from the neighbor's house, or 25 feet from the property/fence line? Also, what do you do in the winter? I've heard that some people put a heat lamp in their hen house, and others said that chickens create their own heat and don't need a heat lamp if their hen house is well insulated and draft-free. From what I saw, it would be important to have a heated water feeder, but other thoughts/suggestions? Anything else you found helpful, I would appreciate. Thanks!

I would say u r ok on the 25 feet thing since it says residence not neighbor property. On the heating this it depends on size of coop and amount of chickens. I have mine I a big barn so I put a lamp only on the water