Basement Chicken Coop

[Smcferrin]

I am considering bringing my backyard chickens into my basement, into a coop that will be built for super easy access for weekly cleaning. I'm considering this move because an individual in our community thinks they are the Zsar of the place, and only thier wishes matter.

Understanding some of the concerns there might be, I intend to do the following:

proper light- I intend to have sun lamps down there that mimic sunlight because not only would there be chickens, but I want to grow year round fruits and veggies and have started preparing..those sun lights actually put off a BEAUTIFUL bright cheery clean light that does feel good. I also plan on supplementing this light with stays in a collapsible run in the backyard so they can go out about 3 times a week for sun and grass. I believe this will be a safe enough situation in which the Zsar can't control

proper air ventilation /filtering / cleansing - As chickens. or any bird, puts off a lot of dust, it will be important to keep the air clean for not only them, but us living in. the home upstairs. my thoughts are to change the furnace filter monthly, use light fans and air purifiers in the basement in multiple locations as well as upstairs in the home

chickens poop a lot and it's stinky, but with weekly cleanings of the coop and putting the soiled pine shavings in the compost, there shouldn't be any smell.

what are your thoughts?

 

[3KillerBs]

Are your chickens legal?

If they are, the Zsar-wannabe can go pound sand and your chickens can remain happy and healthy in the sun and fresh air outside.

If they are not, you will end up going to a GREAT deal of trouble and expense for a situation that is unlikely to work well.

Providing adequate ventilation in a basement is going to be extremely difficult. Not impossible, but extremely difficult.

 

[SourRoses]

At the least, you should properly ventilate the space. Filters won't cut it because the main issue will be gases. Ammonia rises, so you would need a duct fan with the vent placed high up just under the ceiling. You can buy them on amzn. The 6 inch size, or at the least 4 inch. They are loud so you want to place the fan out of the chicken area (and human area). You can run the corresponding size of foil ducting to and from your fan to make it outdoors through a window or utility access area.
You should also know that even LED plant lights put out heat, which will build in an enclosed space. Plants release moisture through their leaves as part of transpiration. It can make things very humid. So, ventilation is critical.
You must have a fresh air intake of at least equal size as your vent. If you want to keep the chickens cooled or heated you could run the intake from your home to steal some of your house air, but of course that will raise your energy costs a lot. Otherwise, the intake should be from the outdoors and placed well away from the output.
It would also be helpful to seal off an intermediary area between your door to the basement and the chicken area. You can buy tough plastic especially for this and have a zipper door to the chicken space. It would help prevent dander and odors from backflowing into your home when you open the basement door.


I'm only offering this up because I've worked through mental exercises on:
"What can I do to save some chickens through a nuclear apocalypse so we can still have eggs, and genetics for the future?"
Obviously, for my own scenario, there are some holes in the plan still.

 

[Smcferrin]

Are your chickens legal?

If they are, the Zsar-wannabe can go pound sand and your chickens can remain happy and healthy in the sun and fresh air outside.

If they are not, you will end up going to a GREAT deal of trouble and expense for a situation that is unlikely to work well.

Providing adequate ventilation in a basement is going to be extremely difficult. Not impossible, but extremely difficult.

They are not currently, but they were..the Zsar sits on the board and likes to change the rules to their whim. There are 4 families that have them and all are being told to abate or face daily fines...I don't intend for them to live the rest of their life in the basement, but it's going to take me time to gather the support, documents, research, and certifications that we'll use to fight for our chickens. I can NOT let one person bully me and the rest of us in our community into being their puppet.

 

[Nyhillbillies]

You should be ‘grandfathered’ in. In other words, legal before the new ‘law’ was written, Know a lawyer? Ask your local Ag district office or even your state Fish &Game/Environmental conservation office for help…

 

[nuthatched]

If your birds are not legal, you're not 'being bullied', you are in the wrong and have deluded yourself into some sort of 'fight the man' victim. I'm guessing you live in an hoa or an area in which poultry isn't permitted, there are conditions you signed up for when you moved there, you are legally and ethically required to abide by them.
If you don't like it, move.
Basement living is cruel to your birds, and unhealthy for you both.
If your neighborhood takes legal action against you, and they will eventually, you will have your birds taken, you fined or kicked out.
I'm sorry but that's the reality.

 

[Smcferrin]

I am seeking attorney help. I do not live in an HOA, I would never subject myself to such a jacked up thing. This is a very old community, over 100 years old, and the Zsar would like to think it's an HOA ..HER HOA, but it's not.

 

[Raisetherooster]

If your birds are not legal, you're not 'being bullied', you are in the wrong and have deluded yourself into some sort of 'fight the man' victim. I'm guessing you live in an hoa or an area in which poultry isn't permitted, there are conditions you signed up for when you moved there, you are legally and ethically required to abide by them.
If you don't like it, move.
Basement living is cruel to your birds, and unhealthy for you both.
If your neighborhood takes legal action against you, and they will eventually, you will have your birds taken, you fined or kicked out.
I'm sorry but that's the reality.

they got the birds while they were legal. It’s a new ruling that’s being enforced by a busybody. Unfortunately, this is a problem a lot of backyard chicken owners have, and it needs to be discussed further. During this time, people should exercise their right to become more self sufficient, not bend over and kiss the boots of those who should mind their own.
If the chickens aren’t bothering the neighbors, they will likely get to keep them.

 

[Raisetherooster]

I am considering bringing my backyard chickens into my basement, into a coop that will be built for super easy access for weekly cleaning. I'm considering this move because an individual in our community thinks they are the Zsar of the place, and only thier wishes matter.

Understanding some of the concerns there might be, I intend to do the following:

proper light- I intend to have sun lamps down there that mimic sunlight because not only would there be chickens, but I want to grow year round fruits and veggies and have started preparing..those sun lights actually put off a BEAUTIFUL bright cheery clean light that does feel good. I also plan on supplementing this light with stays in a collapsible run in the backyard so they can go out about 3 times a week for sun and grass. I believe this will be a safe enough situation in which the Zsar can't control

proper air ventilation /filtering / cleansing - As chickens. or any bird, puts off a lot of dust, it will be important to keep the air clean for not only them, but us living in. the home upstairs. my thoughts are to change the furnace filter monthly, use light fans and air purifiers in the basement in multiple locations as well as upstairs in the home

chickens poop a lot and it's stinky, but with weekly cleanings of the coop and putting the soiled pine shavings in the compost, there shouldn't be any smell.

what are your thoughts?

I am considering bringing my backyard chickens into my basement, into a coop that will be built for super easy access for weekly cleaning. I'm considering this move because an individual in our community thinks they are the Zsar of the place, and only thier wishes matter.

Understanding some of the concerns there might be, I intend to do the following:

proper light- I intend to have sun lamps down there that mimic sunlight because not only would there be chickens, but I want to grow year round fruits and veggies and have started preparing..those sun lights actually put off a BEAUTIFUL bright cheery clean light that does feel good. I also plan on supplementing this light with stays in a collapsible run in the backyard so they can go out about 3 times a week for sun and grass. I believe this will be a safe enough situation in which the Zsar can't control

proper air ventilation /filtering / cleansing - As chickens. or any bird, puts off a lot of dust, it will be important to keep the air clean for not only them, but us living in. the home upstairs. my thoughts are to change the furnace filter monthly, use light fans and air purifiers in the basement in multiple locations as well as upstairs in the home

chickens poop a lot and it's stinky, but with weekly cleanings of the coop and putting the soiled pine shavings in the compost, there shouldn't be any smell.

what are your thoughts?

Basement living might seem doable, but you’ll grow to hate it. Not to mention that your chickens will hate it from the start and likely produce less. I have had my brooder in my home as I raise four little chicks, and I can’t wait to get them outside.
Now, you might be able to fight that new ruling. Especially if you had them while they were legal. Assuming that you’re chickens aren’t bothering anyone else(clean environment, no rooster, etc) and none of your neighbors file a complaint, you will very likely win.
I live in a suburban area with my hens and beloved pet rooster, and I have no problems with my neighbors. It took some communication, but my neighbors said they don’t mind the crowing. I also keep their coop and run clean to avoid odors.
My suggestion is to talk to your next door neighbors and if they aren’t complaining, fight the ruling at the next hoa(or whatever) meeting.

 

[Smcferrin]

In most cases I hear of, that has been true.

they got the birds while they were legal. It’s a new ruling that’s being enforced by a busybody. Unfortunately, this is a problem a lot of backyard chicken owners have, and it needs to be discussed further. During this time, people should exercise their right to become more self sufficient, not bend over and kiss the boots of those who should mind their own.
If the chickens aren’t bothering the neighbors, they will likely get to keep them.

Absolutely..,..I am doing research and gathering information on the various matters regarding this issue. My fellow chicken owner neighbors are also being targeted and we have to be able to secure our right to have, care for, and enjoy our chickens, of course without hurting others. I wouldn't want to do something that factually hurt another. But the reasons they come up with are often absurd and clearly not reality...the tide has been changing for a while to raise our own quality food. It's becoming more popular for good reason. We are standing atm in arm and it makes me feel passionately to help others that want to do the same. I want to advocate