I need to vent

[BigBird 2025]

The House of Mouse. That's funny. But those regulations aren't so funny. It would make me a little crazy to have my land micromanaged so much. When we were looking for property we ruled out two that we visited immediately, in spite of their beauty - because they had HOA's. We looked at the list of restrictions (including no chickens at one!) and bowed out.

I think that's smart not to have permanently attached tarps if you get heavy winds. I'm sure you're eager to move ahead at this point!

Goodafternoon
Very smart to stay out of the HOA debacle. If you have away from home interests and can afford lawn care and like to live by rules and regulations then Hoa's are for you. Anymore Florida is just one housing development after another cookie cutter style and all have Hoa's.
They have gotten so out of control with their extortion fees for this that and the other that the state is finally cracking down. I was actually the President for 2 years of an Hoa of 15 Homes some 25 years ago. I did it out of self preservation as I was the only resident that truly knew what was going on locally. Glad that is all over with.

I now live in a non Hoa subdivision, of 84 homes 6 of us voluntarily do the actual physical work of caring for our entrance including raising money to keep the wall painted (by us) and maintain and replace the decretive bushes along the base of the wall.

Yes very anxious to get started building. I started gathering the items needed from the supply list given on the plans I purchased. Just need to gather up the PT 2by material from the big box store, and I can start building the door, door frame, roost bars and egg box ahead of time. When my son comes to visit from North Florida with his two little girls we will erect the coop itself. when finished Ill post pictures. I might document the building for the coop page here on the BYC forum.
What's going on in your neck of the woods.

Keep on clucken.

 

[Appalachickens]

I’d be surprised if there were any HOAs in the whole county. The Appalachian ethos is strong here. My son has property in a semi-rural area and there was a security light up on a pole when he moved in. He disabled it with a shotgun the first night. The next day a neighbor who didn’t know that had happened, mentioned the light and said he might want to consider shooting it out!

That’s great that your son can come help. My son (who is a carpenter) framed my coop for me and taught me about things like King and Jack stud so that I was able to frame the door for the run myself.

My neck of the woods is unusually hot right now. Maybe not compared to Florida, but hot for us. But still very green and lush. I woke up and saw a deer right outside my window this morning, so that was cool. Hoping to start integrating my younger chicks (currently 4 and 6 weeks) in with their big sisters (10 weeks) this weekend. I’m ready for them to be out of the garage!

 

[BigBird 2025]

I’d be surprised if there were any HOAs in the whole county. The Appalachian ethos is strong here. My son has property in a semi-rural area and there was a security light up on a pole when he moved in. He disabled it with a shotgun the first night. The next day a neighbor who didn’t know that had happened, mentioned the light and said he might want to consider shooting it out!

That’s great that your son can come help. My son (who is a carpenter) framed my coop for me and taught me about things like King and Jack stud so that I was able to frame the door for the run myself.

My neck of the woods is unusually hot right now. Maybe not compared to Florida, but hot for us. But still very green and lush. I woke up and saw a deer right outside my window this morning, so that was cool. Hoping to start integrating my younger chicks (currently 4 and 6 weeks) in with their big sisters (10 weeks) this weekend. I’m ready for them to be out of the garage!

I grew up on Long Island N.Y. We lived half way out on the island in, at the time, a summer residential area on a dead end lane of 16 homes only two were year round.

Summer nights on the lane were pitch black except for the occasional lamp or door light stabbing through the darkness. We had a neighbor pass away and the home was purchased by a family from New York city who never lived out in a country setting.

The first thing they did the second day they were visiting their summer cottage was string about 50 lights from tree to tree. Really light the place up. The problem was they left them on all night and ruined the ambiance of the lane.

When I asked why they didn't turn them off and enjoy the stars and the fireflies they said it was to dark and they were afraid someone was going to come steal their stuff.

We all had to laugh as we had no thefts ever reported by anyone as the neighbors were all long time owners and we watched out for each others stuff. New York city mentality I guess.

My mother in law [in a different state] has lived in the same house for over 70 years and leaves her front door unlocked when she goes shopping and has never had the first issue with anyone trying to break in. I miss living on that lane.

Nobody is hot like Florida, you are now probably in our last season which we call warm, From warm we then go to Hot which we are in now and its steamy hot (tropical Hot). When I go out during the day it sucks the energy right out of me and I have to get into the A/c rehydrate sit and cool for at least 20-30 minutes before I can even get up to work inside.

Glad I have an air conditioned shop [2 car garage) I turn it on first thing in the morning and by 10 o'clock its perfect to work in as the temps outside are in the mid to high 80's and still climbing.

Am curious to know what breed of Girls you are raising and how many. Also what material do you use on the floor of your run.

Off to bed, Stay clucky

 

[Appalachickens]

I grew up on Long Island N.Y. We lived half way out on the island in, at the time, a summer residential area on a dead end lane of 16 homes only two were year round.

Summer nights on the lane were pitch black except for the occasional lamp or door light stabbing through the darkness. We had a neighbor pass away and the home was purchased by a family from New York city who never lived out in a country setting.

The first thing they did the second day they were visiting their summer cottage was string about 50 lights from tree to tree. Really light the place up. The problem was they left them on all night and ruined the ambiance of the lane.

When I asked why they didn't turn them off and enjoy the stars and the fireflies they said it was to dark and they were afraid someone was going to come steal their stuff.

We all had to laugh as we had no thefts ever reported by anyone as the neighbors were all long time owners and we watched out for each others stuff. New York city mentality I guess.

My mother in law [in a different state] has lived in the same house for over 70 years and leaves her front door unlocked when she goes shopping and has never had the first issue with anyone trying to break in. I miss living on that lane.

Nobody is hot like Florida, you are now probably in our last season which we call warm, From warm we then go to Hot which we are in now and its steamy hot (tropical Hot). When I go out during the day it sucks the energy right out of me and I have to get into the A/c rehydrate sit and cool for at least 20-30 minutes before I can even get up to work inside.

Glad I have an air conditioned shop [2 car garage) I turn it on first thing in the morning and by 10 o'clock its perfect to work in as the temps outside are in the mid to high 80's and still climbing.

Am curious to know what breed of Girls you are raising and how many. Also what material do you use on the floor of your run.

Off to bed, Stay clucky

Somehow missed this. I have 13 chickens, all between nine weeks and 13 weeks. I have one each of: calico princess, cinnamon queen, black sex-link, California tan, blue laced gold Wyandotte, cream leg bar, starlight green egger, Easter, egger, Ameraucana, barred rock, red star, buff orpington, and speckled Sussex. I wanted to be able to tell them all apart!

 

[BigBird 2025]

Just saying hello once again.
I have been dealing with heart issues of late which the heat just made me feel more wore out. Spoke to my cardiologist first thing this morning and I see him Friday plus a medication change up.

Very nice mix up of birds, I'm officially limited to 4 birds . Which reminds me of a story I heard when I first moved here.

The oldest retiring female admiral addressing the last graduating cadet class at the Orlando Navel Training Center. Said (I'm paraphrasing) It is far easier to ask for forgiveness then it is to wait for permission. That said!

Two Polish have been ordered (my wife and I love them) and the remainder yet to be determined.

The brooder is built. Approx. 30 x 48 x 20 tall out of scrap material and chicken wire I wanted to use up' along with a similar in size matching unit that when put together minus the inside wall, will act as my "emergency coop in the garage hurricane shelter" for the girls.

The hoop coop is coming along as I have built the frame work for the ends and picked up the cattle fencing last Friday before my heart problems started. it will be 8x12 feet and stationary.

I've been going round and round about what substrate to use on the floor. Leave it be and it turns to Florida dirty sand as the girls mix it up or go with mulch from the Florida power line tree cutting crews.

My 9th grade grandson who is in F.F.A. says they use the natural Florida sand that the coop/run was build on at the school and they take turns raking it daily/weekly. He says that they tried mulch and it stinks.

Yet I read where people use wood chips/mulch the girls pick through it and a light raking to mix up the evenings deposits keeps it all well and good with no stink. I like the idea of the chips/mulch but don't want a stink that the wife or neighbors are going to complain about.

Again I'm in central Florida it rains almost daily I have no issues with drainage and the coop/run will be covered with a tarp. love to hear thoughts from others in Florida, Texas or other hot humid states. I need to make a decision soon

 

[Appalachickens]

Sorry you’ve been unwell. I have always lived my life by the “better to ask forgiveness than permission” motto.

are you talking about for the floor of the coop or for the run itself? Inside the coop, which has a wooden floor, I use a mix of pine shavings, hemp, and palletize horse bedding. I don’t rake it or do anything to it, and it does not smell bad. For the run, I put some pine bark mulch and a lot of leaves down. I do no maintenance at all except for adding leaves when I need to. Again, no real smell. I’m counting on composting to do the work for me.

 

[Debbie292d]

Just saying hello once again.
I have been dealing with heart issues of late which the heat just made me feel more wore out. Spoke to my cardiologist first thing this morning and I see him Friday plus a medication change up.

Very nice mix up of birds, I'm officially limited to 4 birds . Which reminds me of a story I heard when I first moved here.

The oldest retiring female admiral addressing the last graduating cadet class at the Orlando Navel Training Center. Said (I'm paraphrasing) It is far easier to ask for forgiveness then it is to wait for permission. That said!

Two Polish have been ordered (my wife and I love them) and the remainder yet to be determined.

The brooder is built. Approx. 30 x 48 x 20 tall out of scrap material and chicken wire I wanted to use up' along with a similar in size matching unit that when put together minus the inside wall, will act as my "emergency coop in the garage hurricane shelter" for the girls.

The hoop coop is coming along as I have built the frame work for the ends and picked up the cattle fencing last Friday before my heart problems started. it will be 8x12 feet and stationary.

I've been going round and round about what substrate to use on the floor. Leave it be and it turns to Florida dirty sand as the girls mix it up or go with mulch from the Florida power line tree cutting crews.

My 9th grade grandson who is in F.F.A. says they use the natural Florida sand that the coop/run was build on at the school and they take turns raking it daily/weekly. He says that they tried mulch and it stinks.

Yet I read where people use wood chips/mulch the girls pick through it and a light raking to mix up the evenings deposits keeps it all well and good with no stink. I like the idea of the chips/mulch but don't want a stink that the wife or neighbors are going to complain about.

Again I'm in central Florida it rains almost daily I have no issues with drainage and the coop/run will be covered with a tarp. love to hear thoughts from others in Florida, Texas or other hot humid states. I need to make a decision soon

For just the coops and brooders, we've always used horse bedding pellets. Wisconsin is a humid state; maybe not as bad as down south, but it's a factor we have to deal with, especially when above 80%. We can't have open-air coops like southerners can either as we have to insulate them for winter. Mold can start growing at 70%.

We use a 5-gallon nipple waterer in every coop/breeding pen so there's no open water, and in one coop, an exhaust fan, the other has an air conditioner that keeps the humidity down. It's always lower humidity in the coops than it is outside.

With the horse bedding pellets in the main coop, we only change those once per year. Then we shovel out the dried out poop and sawdust it made, put that in compost bins, some in our garden, around trees, etc. Then put down about another 2" of pellets for the next year. That coop costs us $8 per year, requires zero maintenance, has no smell, and keeps the air drier/cleaner.

For pens, we use the pellets inside, but sod outside. The rest free range.

 

[BigBird 2025]

Hi Silkie mom:
Thank you for your input I had heard of it but knew nothing about it so I went and YouTubed it and I like what I was watching. is the pellet you are using Hemp, Pine, Aspen? was wondering if all horse bedding is created equal?

 

[BigBird 2025]

Hello Appalachickens​

I too live by the same motto and thank you I seem to be doing much better.

I am going with a hoop coop design from Cotton River Farms. Mine however will be stationary and it will be a coop/run combo with the girls allowed to free range outside in a fenced off area that coop will sit in. I know given time the coop will go from grass to sand as the girls do their chicken thing and tear up the ground.

At some point the floor will need to be dealt with and just sand in my opinion is not appealing. It might work for people with a wood floor and sand over that but sand by its self isn't going to absorb the evenings left overs. So far I am liking what I am reading about horse pellets. It is holding first place at the moment of what I may use.

Stay clucky!

 

[ChickenChick46]

I so hope I am posting this in the correct place.

So I started the permitting process here in Orange County Florida yesterday 2/17/25. I looked up Orange county Florida chicken permitting. The link sent me to the counties fast track program which is supposed to speed things up for you.

When you first look up OC Florida chickens you find several ways to access a permit application which allows you to fill in the required questions on your screen. In which you; I guess are supposed to print out because it requires a notary stamp, Why??? The fast track version doesn't require a notary Stamp and Signature.

In a different link it tells you to use the fast track system where; you are required to open a free account. Next get a verification number after which you are issued a working permit #. Finally then you begin answering a permit information page asking your name, address, parcel number, info regarding your coop size and materials to be used plus lots of other stuff. Your going to be required to do some drawings regarding size of coop and pen area, you can't find this info anywhere unless you down load the original ordinance and read the entire document, which gives you your restrictions.

Once application page is completed you hit continue now, it gets confusing. You will ultimately generate several pages of stuff the Zoning people want to see for the process. Each page has to be put into the appropriate file such as your certification that you attended Chicken-U. It must have a file name PD-Certification. If not it's rejected. Oh great. In the instructions they give three examples of how the files must be named Ex. 1 PD-Certification #2 A100-Drawings #3 A100 SITE PLANS, seems straight forward enough. I created the three files and labeled them as per instructions. Next I added the different documents I created into each appropriately named file.

Example: I placed the drawing of the site plan into the folder labeled (A100 site Plan). The drawings of the Coop and pen area, the list of materials I was going to use and the photo of the fence required to hide the coop from the world in the folder labeled (A100 Drawings) and last my Chicken U certificate in to the File labeled (PD-Certifications.) So far so good.

The instructions state "be sure you have uploaded the required information before you finalize this application then it goes on to say your permit will be pending, You permit remains pending till you Submit Application or complete payment on fees if their due. OK no problem, oh wait ya, there is a problem.

Next you are given an interactive way to E-submit Planes/Documents. You click on that and you have the option to open your files page or drag and drop. I chose to drag and drop the three files. When I did I got a notice that my files were named incorrectly, Com-on really???

After several frustrating and un successful attempts I placed each generated page of documents into individual files guessing at file names using the three examples originally given.

Files got loaded some how or so it shows a list of them except for the site plan file. I once again checked the file name and made sure the drawing was in the file and dragged and dropped. Each time I attempted to add the site plan file I kept getting a notice that my list of files did not up load because it was missing the sight plan file.
Really I only dragged and dropped it 3-4 times. Some how it loaded and it said up load was successful. ok good were getting some place. I tapped on the continue box to what I assumed would be the submit button page but when I hit it I get that stupid message box Site plan is missing from the up load, upload incomplete. You Got to be kidding me.

Hoping to talk to someone in zoning tomorrow to see if my files got through or not. Ugg so frustrating. Since this is a special permitting request (Back yard Chickens) it could have been handled a whole lot more effortlessly if Orange county would just make a package you could down load any Pdf's and photos into and just submit. I guess time will tell.

What a pain! I'm sorry you're having to go through so much to get your babies!