Chicago rooftop

[Penpal]

All I can think of is wind. On a lawn, everything would stay near or on the ground if the coop got blown over. They would get scared and seek shelter. If your coop set up was blown over it would be ugly real fast.

 

[tlcmurphy]

I have a similar prefab coop/run setup for 4 hens that’s 4’x8’ total with the coop itself being 4’X4’. However it’s attached to an additional 5’X20’ run that they are in during the day when they can’t free range. My set up is barely big enough for 4 hens.

Unless you want to enclose half of your deck as a run for the hens, it’s not going to be enough room.

 

[StinkyAcres]

I agree with everyone else. IF I were to keep birds up there they would be bantams or quail and I would make the run as big as possible with at least a couple solid sides to act as a wind break and attach it to the deck.

 

[tlcmurphy]

I agree with everyone else. IF I were to keep birds up there they would be bantams or quail and I would make the run as big as possible with at least a couple solid sides to act as a wind break and attach it to the deck.

Quail are an excellent thought!

 

[tlcmurphy]

I would also not buy any coop made with chicken wire, not hardware cloth. You won’t have predators on a rooftop, but it seems the manufacturer isn’t familiar with raising poultry. At the very least, small birds will be able to fly through that.
There’s also no ramp to the coop? Or door for you to enter??

 

[rosemarythyme]

Thanks for reply, it’s not an actual “roof” it’s like a balcony, structure and transport wouldn’t be an issue there.

As far as the coop goes, I have enough space to go slightly larger. Do you have any idea of any plans available?

(Everything below is assuming 3 chickens of any size.)

I don't have plans but I would go no narrower than 6' wide as chickens need space to maneuver around each other. And overall for the run, due to the fact that the birds will not ever have the option of free ranging, I'd aim for 20 sq ft per bird. So you're looking at a minimum of a 6x10 run.

Size wise the coop as-is is ok in terms of floor space. It does lack upper ventilation as it apparently relies on the open door for all ventilation, which could be problematic if you don't account for wind direction, but only you know how wind blows in that particular area.

Others brought up some good points about poop and soiled bedding blowing about, and how would you secure the coop and run so it doesn't blow over in strong winds? And where would you store extra bedding, as there's no "dirt" for the chickens to dig in you'd want a good 6-8" of substrate in the run to satisfy that need - even for folks with yards it can be difficult storing that much bedding (and disposing of it).

Also have to ask to make sure, are chickens legal where you're at, and if so, any restrictions?