HOW to raise Chicks in COLD southeast Nebraska??

[LittleMamaBigPapa]

Hello, I am brand new to BYC. I signed on to begin learning as much as I can about chickens prior to making a commitment. My husband and I have talked about having chickens for years, and now we feel we are ready. However, we have TWO main concerns.
1. we are concerned about living within city limits. Recently, an article was in the Omaha World Hearld about a couple here in Bellevue, NE who have raised chickens on their lot for over 20 years. Suddenly, a retired police officer, turned city council member, has just placed an order on their door stating they have one week to get rid of the chickens. It turns out, the order was dropped because the ordinance he referenced does not apply, but the city attorneys are trying to see if another order exists to support the order.

So, should we move ahead and get our Buff Orpingtons or wait and see how this plays out? We really dont want to move. 2. the other concern is making sure our coop will be adequate for the BITTER COLD weather here. Thank you in advance for your suggestions/support.

 

[tabatha_westcott]

Find out if you can have them first... It would be heartbreaking if you had to get rid of them after raising them. Our city says you can have up to 10. After that you need some kind of permit. Oh yeah welcome!

 

[LittleMamaBigPapa]

thank you Tabatha! I was hoping we could sneak them in, but you are so right; it would be so sad to be forced to get rid of them after the fact.

 

[Chirpy]

I personally wouldn't get them until you know for sure they are legal to keep where you live. You can do the research yourself by reading through current laws/ordinances/covenants, etc. They are far to easy to get really attached to and it would be hard to get rid of them after having them for a while.

But, some people do keep 'stealth' chickens even when they know they aren't allowed to have them. You need to decide what is right for you.

Lots of people keep chickens in bitter cold temperatures. You want to make sure your coop has NO drafts but does have ventilation. If you are standing inside anywhere and can feel air moving... it's drafty. I would use good insulation covered by a hardboard of some sort so the chickens can't eat it.

Spend some time researching the different chicken breeds and pick breeds that are cold hardy... that will help a lot. You don't want chickens with large combs - they can freeze.

Use 2x4s with the 4" side up for their roosts. That way they will sit on their feet and keep them warm.

And finally....

 

[gpamela3499]

Hi from out west

I have a speakeasy coop for bootleg eggs

 

[B. Saffles Farms]

from TN

 

[eaganchickens]

from MN!
chickens aren't legal to keep where i live either

 

[n-da-woods]

Hello and

from NC

 

[chickenwhisperer123]

Welcome, I live in nebraska too.
I have to keep the chicks in the garage with a heat lamp, and it has worked well for me!
GOOD LUCK, and its always nice to see a fellow nebraskan on the forum!
Jason

 

[CityClucks]

from Oklahoma!

There are a lot of cold-hardy breeds - you'll do fine!