Hello peeps!

[Llilith]

Hi,
I am new and hoping to learn about raising chickens. I am 58, retired last year, and I want to add chickens to my backyard garden. We (me, hubby, Nikko the frenchie/pug, Crow the black kitty) live outside of Portland, Oregon.

I just inquired with the city yesterday and I can have a max of 3 chickens on the property. I will want a coop with attached run, but plan to let the girls out for field trips in the yard when I'm out to supervise. I have a couple questions. If not appropriate to ask in this post, plmk.

1. The city requires 20 square feet per chicken for their enclosure. This is more than some guidelines I read. I know that coops don't show a realistic number, but is 20 sq ft reasonable? It seems like a lot, but I bet the chickens would disagree.
2. My husband and I are not handy and we'll have to either buy a prefab coop and pen or hire someone to make it. Are there any recommendations on prefabs that are decent?

 

[theoldchick]

I'd hire a local handyman to build your coop. I found most of the prefabs are substandard. Remember, the bigger the better (even for three chickens), and to always predator proof your coop.

 

[Reckless]

Yo!!!

 

[muddy75]

Hello and Welcome to BYC!

 

[Jenbirdee]

 

[fldiver97]

Nice to have you here!!
Consider a shed, used or new to ‘convert’ into a coop. I had an old wooden shed on the property and cleaned it out, laid down remnant vinyl on the floor, painted the inside. I added some simple roosts and found some windows that I installed myself. I’m sure not a carpenter or very handy but it worked well. I cut out an opening for a pop door, cut out some vents high up that I covered with hardware cloth. Put in some wooden nest boxes, repurposed stuff and the girls moved in. They had more than 20 square feet per chicken but it was good because winter in Wisconsin gets cold and they could stay in the coop without being cramped and bored. Sometimes you can find used sheds or coops online , I.e. facebook marketplace. You can hire someone to build or convert something into a coop. You can buy a good sized wooden coop from companies or Amish builders but they are usually not cheap.
Check out the learning center, there’s also a forum for chicken coops of all sizes and types

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forums/coop-run-design-construction-maintenance.9/

 

[DobieLover]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.

 

[chrissynemetz]

Hi, and welcome to BYC! We're happy to have you with us!

 

[Bsmac]

Hello! Welcome to BYC! I have doubts that there are any good prefab coops/runs. Built with cheap materials and cheaply made. They won`t last long and they seldom have room enough for the recommended number of birds. Maybe someone in your area could build you one. @fldiver97 mentioned some great ideas. There is all kinds of info on coops here too! Good luck to you!

 

[C Siena]

Greetings & Salutations. Welcome Llilith.

Wow, 3 isn't much but at least you can have chickens.

This is a wonderful site on which to Learn and enjoy.
We are pleased to have you in the community.