I want to get some chickens!

[doodlemutt]

Hi everyone - I'm obviously new here. My daughter (16) and I desperately want to get some chickens! I picked up the poultry regulations for my city today and I have to call them with questions... I'm thinking of building a portable coop: I don't plan on living here much longer and want to be able to take it with me easily, and I'd like to be able to move it around the yard. Anyone have thoughts on this?

 

[Bec]

Hello and

I think as long as you are allowed to have them and it wouldn't be a problem, I think it is a great idea!

 

[Newchickenmom&kids]

I agree....easy to do with this website!! The ideas are endless!!

 

[Imp]

from Washington.

You'll get lots of ideas here.

Imp

 

[B. Saffles Farms]

from TN

 

[b.hromada]

and

from S. Florida.

 

[Blue Skys]

If you want to move them around your yard, look at different chicken tractors to get ideas of what might work for y'all!!

 

[applefalls]

My advice is to make yourself a chicken tractor that is as lightweight as possible, or one that can easily be disassemled when you move. Also, make sure it will fit in a truck when you go.

And, by the way, welcome!

 

[Judy]

There is a huge amount of info available here, and I hope you will research it.

You might find it simpler to wait til you move, and build a larger and more permanent coop that you can walk in and store feed, etc. in. I have never had one of those 4' tall type coops, or a chicken tractor, and don't want one. We recently built a coop that is around 8'x12' attached to a yard that is about 75' x 75'. We have 4 hens and 50 young ones around 8 weeks. Some will be processed. Not sure what we will end up with, but we won't be in the position of wanting to get 5 or 10 chickens and not having the space for them. The 4 sq ft for the coop per bird, and 10 sq ft for the run per bird, that is generally presented here, is evidently a minimum to prevent pecking, cannibalism, etc. Chickens in truth like a lot more space than this. They actually prefer to free range -- but then they get taken by predators, in some number.

Just do some research and be sure of what you want in the end before you start; you could save yourself a lot of money. For example, materials are mostly 8', so building something less than 8'X8' often involves wasted materials. Many who think they want 4 chickens wind up with 25 or 50, or more. Just think it through.

JMO.

 

[doodlemutt]

Thanks everyone, for your warm welcomes! I know I'm going to find lots of help and information here

I will be speaking with the Health department today, as it seems impossible to comply with their regulations on my half acre of land. As for waiting until we move... I've been half packed and mentally moved from here for 5 years and it's not happening yet. Between hubby's job, his nearing retirement age, youngest kid in high school, and now the horrible real estate market, I'm not holding my breath. I can always add to my flock once we move and I get my little farm! I'll keep reading!