Chickens in a neighborhood!!!

[trumpeting_angel]

So sorry to hear it! I’m an adult, and I have my own house, but I have to wait to get chickens, too. We have several building projects going on and they have to come first.

So we will both be waiting! There is a section here about laws and ordinances - maybe there are others in your town who would like to change that ordinance! Ask around. Maybe you can help to change that rule.

 

[twendt]

I'm not encouraging anyone to break the law, but, I've had chickens for over 2 years and currently no ordinance allowing them. I've been smart about it.... 1. Hens only, 2. asked my neighbors for their blessing, 3. Keep them enclosed, 4. keep them in the far corner of the yard (sort of hidden), I have a little less than an acre, my neighbors all thought chicken were allowed! I had to educate them. I have a very pretty yard with lots of landscaping and flowering shrubs. If you really want chickens, think about how you could keep them enclosed and plant shrubs around the fence to hide them, talk to you neighbors and feel them out on their opinions on backyard chickens, explain you're not letting them run around ( not safe for your chickens or the neighborhood!!!!), offer eggs as hush money, make a super cute coop (lots of ideas on the internet) Chickens are less noisy than an annoying barking dog, if you keep things clean and aesthetic you just might get away with it. I went from 3 hens to 6 hens and no complaints or worries!!! I will not reveal where I live, except the fact I live in Wisconsin somewhere..... there's a chicken underground and I'm proud to be a part of it.

 

[trumpeting_angel]

Well, yes. But the OP isn’t an adult, and her family just moved in. Not the best timing!

 

[NewBoots]

Sorry I haven't been active lately. Me and my Mom checked the covenants for our neighborhood and..... I can't have chickens. Not even two. Or four. Or any. I'm sad. But oh well. Thanks for everything.

So sorry to hear that. Not much comfort now I'm afraid, but I am retiring very shortly and when I was much (MUCH) younger I really wanted to keep chickens and soon I will be. So someday I'm sure you'll get the chance if you still want to.

 

[Matilda Belle]

I agree with the others about not buying a prefab chicken house. One good wind storm, and it'll blow over. I bought my silkie house from the amish. It was a 4x6 coop which houses up to 6 (max). I did end up adding on to the coop with another 32 square feet, because I wanted more.

Chickens don't need to be free ranged. I would love to free range if I could, but like you I have neighbors. I also worry about predators taking them. Just make sure you have a large enough run in addition to the coop. If you have 4 hens, your coop should be a MINIMUM of 24 square feet and the run should be a MINIMUM of 40 square feet. More is always better. Also something to consider is the winter months. If I were you, I'd get a run that has a cover. I have all silkies and not a single one will walk in the snow.

Are you getting chicks or are you going to buy hens?

 

[aart]

Are you getting chicks or are you going to buy hens?

Read the whole thread, get caught up

 

[Matilda Belle]

Read the whole thread, get caught up

My bad...didn't read the whole thread.

 

[HouseSilkies]

Thanks everyone! Weird question... Are there any places that board chickens like you would board a horse? Like paying monthly to keep your chickens there?

 

[HouseSilkies]

Errr. How big a deal is it to have 3 Silkie hens? They are small,like half the size of a normal chicken,the hens aren't loud,they don't smell if you maintain the coop,they are sweet and affectionate and they don't take up a ton of space. So what's the big deal? Why aren't they allowed? They are quieter than dogs barking from inside a neighbor's house! Is there anyway I could get permission to have them? Someone I could email? Sorry if I sound clueless,or something. I just really love silkies. I wanted to show them at local shows,and make a chicken utube channel along with a etsy shop where I make and sell chicken diapers and such.

 

[aart]

Is there anyway I could get permission to have them?

Permission from whom?
You are a minor, correct?