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?

 

[Jsack]

Here’s one from the snow over the weekend, cleared it off now but it’s about 10ft by 20ft

Will they have a coop as well? They need a warm enclosed place to roost,sleep and lay eggs. Also, what would be on the floor of the run? Sand or? They like to peck around all day..

 

[ChixHaven]

If we can sort out some terminology: it helps if you call the mostly wooden structure in the picture the coop. The screened part is the run. They sleep and lay eggs in the coop; they play and hang out in the run.

The smallest square footage recommended for the coop is 4 sq ft/ chicken. From the drawing, you MAY have 12 sq ft, which fits that math, but it's not going to be enough in your situation, especially when it's going to be hard to get away from one another when cabin fever hits.

Since you aren't going to be able to yard range (roof range?) on a rooftop, they are going to need a huge amount of run space. The typical amount recommended is 10 sq ft per bird, but again, in such a confined space with absolutely no option to be let out, 15 or 20 sq ft/chicken is more like it. Presumably, you're going to want some human space up there where you can enjoy the skyline in the evening, and trust me, you won't want to be sitting in chicken poop in the run. If you have 10x20 as mentioned above, will 40 sq ft (5x8) be a big enough spot for a few chairs and small table?

You may want to rethink this. At a minimum, consider 3 bantams instead of standard-sized chickens. Eggs will be smaller, but they're just as tasty, and the sizes might be more manageable.

I agree with Mother of Chaos. I started out with 64 sq. feet of run with a smaller coop elevated off the ground within that 64 sq. feet, all for 3 hens. I thought, according to "the math", that 20 sq. ft. per hen was plenty, but it turned out to not be true. The flock dynamics will be amplified by constant confinement. Thankfully, I had the option of doubling the size of their run (to 120 sq. ft.) AND giving the hens access to a fenced foraging yard when I am home, but you do not have that option.

I've been told that bantam hens are more tolerant of confinement but I don't know that from experience.

In inclement weather, even with the 120 sq ft of run, it is important for the chickens to have lots to do, such as dust baths, grazing boxes, and pendulum treat dispensers, perches or stumps, plus a dirt floor on which I throw down scratch, all to keep them happily occupied so that they do not take any frustrations out on each other.

I certainly understand your desire to keep chickens, but stressed out chickens lead to chicken drama and chicken injuries, which lead to lots of stress for you. I do know that from experience. Good Luck.

 

[Thymewarrior]

Here’s one from the snow over the weekend, cleared it off now but it’s about 10ft by 20ft

If you make the setup you showed in the picture but make it the depth of the balcony, 10', and 5' wide and make a human door on the side. With the coop area high, like in the photo, the hens can utilize the entire bottom. That would make the run 50 square feet. Eight to 10 square feet of run space per bird is adequate. Make the roosting coop about 3' Deep by the 5' width and you've got 15 square feet. Two to 4 square feet of coop space per bird is fine. Some breeds do not mind confinement as long as they were raised that way. I'd still get smaller birds. Easter Eggers average on the small side but still lay full size eggs. From the picture of your balcony, I don't think you're going to have to worry about predators, so chicken wire would probably be secure without the added expense of hardware cloth. Assuming you have the structure butted up against the end of the balcony, you can cover the top and sides of the coop with a tarp in bad weather, leaving the end next to the house uncovered for ventilation and they will also get some warmth from the building itself. You'll also need to provide shade in the summer. I think it's great that you want to raise chickens. Don't be discouraged. You can make it work.