Chicken coop to close to house?

[dbusher]

We live in a planned community. Our back yard is avg size with no houses behind us. We have neighbors to each side. We plan on building a coop in our back yard. It will be about 40 feed away from out back door and 60 feet away from each neighbor (which makes it legal by state law).

We plan on having only 2 RIR hens.

Questions.... Will the smell or noise be noticeable to the neighbors?

 

[Splash_Guard]

Only if they choose to complain about the sounds a hen makes. I don't see where it would be a problem, the smell of 2 hens is minimal, at best. Depends on whether or not your neighbors like to complain about things?

 

[dbusher]

They said they are ok with the idea but they did say they had concerns about the noise and the smell. Sounds like it might not be any worse then the dogs I have. Thanks for the reply.

 

[FrontPorchIndiana]

I don't think it would be a problem. I would suggest if you can to have a covered run though. When my run gets wet you can really, really smell it.

 

[vermontgal]

My coop (and chicken tractor in the summer) is closer to both my house and my neighbors' houses than you're planning. My lot is only 4850 square feet (0.11 acres). I have neighbors who generally like the idea of chickens, and I checked in with them a couple times before I got the chickens.

We generally keep an open dialogue and discussion -- about this and other neighborly things. They actually like getting chicken poops & shavings from me for their composters! I have excellent neighbors.

I also own a duplex, so I have tenants -- they don't have much choice in the matter -- but one of my tenants is the director of a farm advocacy organization so chickens are a good thing to her, too!

You might want to research / think about how you will deal with chicken manure and talk to your neighbors about your plans -- so they know you have a plan. I don't think you can control the chicken noises too much, but manure smell will definitely depend on how you manage it.

Showing that you are being thoughtful about it will probably help - along with keeping an open discussion.

 

[CoyoteMagic]

My RIR's are my noisest birds. The 2 of them have to let the whole sub-division know when they have laid an egg.

 

[AtRendeAcres]

I can second Rhode Island Reds being noisy!!! especially when laying!

I also suggest 3 chickens (something could happen to one & chickens are very social)

My suggestions for quiet chickens!

Temperament: Brahma/Orpington (brown egg)

pretty eggs: Ameraucana (blue/green egg)

Joanne

 

[Anny]

My hens are in garage which is attached to my house. I like having it close cus I can keep an eye on the hens, and I can get eggs in the winter with out walking to far out into the snow/cold.

The smell is easy to manage with cleaning and such, no one has ever complained about the chicken smell. They are not to noisy either, just chicken chatter.

 

[lichick28]

We can have chickens where we live but I NEVER take it for granted. We only have 1/2 acre & I keep my coop as clean as possible. I think of it this way, If someone stops by will I be proud of my chickens & my coop or be embarressed by the smell and dirt? That's what keeps me on my toes.