Im new here! My situation. Can I keep chickens? (long)

[twentynine]

If regulation permit you to keep chickens, why don't you build yourself a real chicken coop and a run. I would not consider having the chickens under the deck. Why---vermin and smell. As much as everyone here loves chickens they can get aromatic when confined.

Build yourself a 10X10 run with a small coop attached. Won't cost much, and can be built to match your home so it won't be unsightly.

If neighbors complain, tell them to get some chickens too!

 

[theDregs]

Thanks for all the help guys. Looking at your advice, the plans on that very cool site, and my land, I think I know what I am going to do. I am going to put as large a run as will fit in my yard next to the deck. That will be anywhere from 7-10X10, depending if I want to clear a small tree or two.

I am going to build a small coop on my deck that only has an exit into the run. It will have a hinged lid so I can service it on my deck, but no chickens will ever be able to access the deck.

Privacy fence isn't an option at the moment, but I may be doing that with my tax money this year. My wife is convinced that we aren't allowed to have them, I'll have to look into that. One reason I want to wait is to see if anyone challenges me on having chickens. I'd hate to have someone pay for a survey on me and find out that I only own 1.96 acres and have spent lots of money for nothing. So I will give it a few months.

Would it be safe to let the birds run around my fenced in yard with all the hawks around here?

Oh, and I have never heard of the Dixie Dregs..but there must be a lot of bands with Dregs in the title, because I get that question all the time, only it is a different band each time.

 

[patandchickens]

Are the numbers you calculated on from a survey (like on the deed to your property) or did you measure them with a tape or something like that? The former should hold up to complaint (as you say, if someone else wants to pay for another survey, let them); but the latter is likely to end up with you having to either get rid of the chickens or YOU having to pay for a survey, if someone complains. So, I mean, is it actually written down anywhere official that you have enough land? (I'd think it should be, like on your deed or in the tax rolls). Might affect how much you want to invest and how you want to house the chickens.

There are lots of ways to visually camouflage or block the chickens; but as others have said, anyone with ears is likely to detect you got 'em, so I'm not sure how *much* effort it's worth putting into trying to hide them.

Good luck,

Pat

 

[theDregs]

It is off my deed, but the deed, for some reason, only lays out the precise measurements for my back yard, it doesn't include the front. And it is impossible for me to get out and measure myself, because you can't tell where my property ends and my neighbors (or county's, on the other side) begins.

 

[ColoradoMike]

Quote:
Indeed, your acreage should be recorded on your county tax assessment - many counties have assessors websites online now, so it may be worth your time to check it out!

 

[Sillystunt]

Quote:
propery appraisor or clerk will have those records. I swear where you live is illegal for chickens. Did you check your laws? If illegal they have a trash can coop..lol put several arround the yard and you can't tell they are coops.

 

[redhen]

I didnt read all the posts..but what about a chicken tractor? If your only going to have 4 hens, a cute little tractor would work great! And you can move the tractor to differant parts of your yard every day or week or so.. and your grass dosent get ruined that way and the chickens get fresh grass all the time and clean up wont be a problem because the chickens will be moving all the time..

 

[theDregs]

I looked up the laws. 2 acres for chickens and not closer than 10 feet to..either the nighbor's house or property. Either way, I 'd be plenty far. I'll see if I can find the assesors website.

 

[theDregs]

Just looked up my property on the assor's website. It is there all right, with no acreage listed.

 

[Quillgirl]

Go to this article:
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/pacificnw/2002/0120/cover.html

There is a nice picture and description of an under the deck coop. Very nice.