how much space per chicken

[LisaJean]

Hi Lizz!

Not being able to sell eggs has to do with zoning. I can have chickens for my own use, but if I start selling the eggs, then what I have becomes a commercial farm. And my neighborhood isn't zoned for that.

I'm not really bothered by it. I trade the eggs for other things, like coffee, soap, toilet paper and bread. The other day I traded eggs for chicken feed!

 

[Davaroo]

I feel you Lizz. I agree with you, too. I believe in free enterprise myself. The one thing most City Hall Controllers want, above all else, is to stifle initiative unless they approve of it first.

Most such zoning restrictions have to do with commercialism in residential areas. The fear is not so much about lost tax revenue (although that may be a factor). No, It's more about keeping you in line, so they dont have to expend resources on you.

The fear is that soon you will have a store front erected in your yard, neon signs flashing "EGGS!" and a parking nightmare in front of your house. Crap like that.

Unfortunately, many people would do just that as soon as they started making some money. It's the old, "one bad apple spoils the whole bunch," scenario. It plays out in every group of people and is the basis of all laws and ordinances.

Some ways to overcome that? Do it on the sly and claim it's easier to get forgiveness than permission.
Or go the city controllers and plead your case, if you have the energy for being a pariah. Having fought the Municipal Controllers myself in the past, I'll take the former course.

 

[cajunlizz]

well , I have something to use as levage . WHEN they can fine or stop people from selling HENS and roosters at our local flea market , THEN they can tell me what to do on my own property .

I can always PLAY DUMB and INNOCENT TOO ... NOT

 

[estpr13]

My coop has the 4 feet per chicken plus roosts and nests off floor. They also get out daily to roam the neighborhood, until the city got after me for having free range chickens in town. (Loose-leash law for pets)(pets must be penned or if loose then on a leash) So now they run the neighborhood for a few hours while I can watch them, then they go into a 10 foot by 10 foot run with access to the coop.
I have observed that when cooped up for more than a day (like during bitterly cold snaps), they need to run and exercise their wings. They will run about 20 to 25 times their length. or for a full grown hen about 20 to 25 feet, and jump and flap their wings to a height of about 3 or 4 feet. This I think should be the minimum.

 

[Davaroo]

well , I have something to use as leverage . WHEN they can fine or stop people from selling HENS and roosters at our local flea market , THEN they can tell me what to do on my own property .

Hate to break it to you, but don't bet on it. Like it or not, if you live in a municpal district of any kind, then you are not free to do what you want. There are always rules, and where those exist, there is always someone happy to enforce them.

I can always PLAY DUMB and INNOCENT TOO ...
Precisely. Probably your best option. Just keep your efforts on QT and be a good seller.

 

[newchickenfarmer]

I have a 5 month old barred rock hen, she has developed a swallon eye, well around it and it makes her eye kinda closed, none of the rest of the flock pick on her. she eats drinks and roams all day, till nap time. so I heard Terramycin is good for eye infections, which I believe she has so could any one give me some advise for little comb over, thats her name. thanks

 

[WoodlandWoman]

Newchickenfarmer, if you start a new topic in the emergency section, you'll get more help for your chicken.

I know that there is an antibiotic eye ointment in farm stores and pet stores. That would be safe to use in and around her eye.

Edited to add:

I posted over there, for you. I hope that was ok. Here's a link to the post:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=1001998#p1001998

I hope she feels better, soon. And welcome to BYC!

 

[MichiganWoods]

* Edited to move to another thread so I can ask some other questions!

 

[cajunlizz]

well , the coop being 8x12 is the same size as both mine are . We completely separated the nesting box area from the roosting area . DH made the roost like a large trellis made of 2x4's . we have around 75 that sleep inside this coop at night . We also have a second coop and have about 25 in that one . Amazing how many chickens will roost in a coop if its build right .

Both coops have an attached 12 x32 ft. run .

My flocks come and go as they choose . I never have to worry about locking the coop doors . MAIN DOORS to the coop/run are padlocked .

 

[fred123]

I am planning a coop and run. It is 11' x 8', with a raised coop that is 8' x 4'. How many standard hens (for laying, no breeding) could I fit? We want 6 hens, but we might want to expand.