I have a tiny yard AND I want chickens

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Huffer

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Hello, My name is Dena and I have two kids, ages 7 and 5. We live in a city with a tiny back yard (10x12 feet, approximately). We would really like to have hens - probably two. Do we have enough space? And, if so, were can we get a tiny, cheapish coop? Any other advice for raising hens in this tiny space? Thanks!
 
Personally, for everything to be tiny, I woud go with Bantams. You can get. Buff Orpington Bantams, or pretty much any standard breed you like' s bantam countersize. Plus, if you ever decide to get more chickens, there is more room for them, wheras 2 standard hens would be the max for that area. :welcome by the way, I hope you enjoy it here! :bun. Have a great day, and God Bless!
 
I recommend getting 2-3 bantam hens. They are much smaller than standard chickens so they will take up less space. Some good breeds for kids are Sillkies, Orpingtons, Cochins, or Easter Eggers, which all have a bantam variety. Easter Egger bantams would be fun for kids because they could lay blue or green eggs. You should definitely get chickens they are great for kids and fun pets with benefits:) Hope this helps good luck!

Here are some ideas for inexpensive coops...not sure exactly what price range you are looking for.

 
Generally it's said 10 square ft of run per standard size chicken and 4 square ft of coop as a minimum. If your coop is not raised off the ground allowing the chickens underneath, remember to subtract your coop square footage from your yard space.

The short of it is, yes! You can have chickens if your city permits it!

I built my enclosure to these specs and now that I have my chickens and they are grown I would say the coop space is enough, but the 10 ft of yard space per bird is almost too little. I'm planning expansion of the fenced area for next summer.
 
Maybe you would be satisfied with two bantam chickens as house pets. Spending time in the house would eliminate the need for a coop - the backyard would be large enough for them to free range.

You can check out the thread "people with house chickens." It's popular to do so and even duck folks ("show us you house ducks," do it also.
 
Huffer said:
Hello, My name is Dena and I have two kids, ages 7 and 5. We live in a city with a tiny back yard (10x12 feet, approximately). We would really like to have hens - probably two. Do we have enough space? And, if so, were can we get a tiny, cheapish coop? Any other advice for raising hens in this tiny space? Thanks!
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Hi, welcome to BYC! :frow

You can do it. :thumbsup

Yes there are general recommendations that work well. But we all have different situations and can work within them. :old

I have 4 silkies in this coop I bought from amazon...
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I put it together myself. One of the roost bars is too close to the nest box even for my bantams (poop goes over the edge), but I'm going to adjust it. I also had to add extra rungs on the ramp that I just glued on. One of my full size hens loves that coop and insist on laying her eggs in there. Mine was in good condition with no broken pieces when it arrived and I put it together using hand, NOT power tools in order to control the torque better and not be the cause of any breakage.

You may have a hard time finding sexed bantams. I suggest making sure you get females and not buy straight run. My bantams are just as loud and ornery as any of my full size hens. 2 full sized hens will fit in that small coop.

Last suggestion would be don't try to keep that small space as grass, but maybe kinda like the forest floor. With lots of mulch to scratch around in. It will attract bugs and make for enrichment/entertainment for the hens.

Your kids are gonna have so much fun! Chickens are highly valuable in the lessons the teach our young ones. :love
 

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