Is My Backyard Okay For a Coop?

[SKG1121]

Yep. In most cases, our bantams have been meaner and more aggressive than LF. Even a couple of our silkies (cockerels) really beat on the others and despite their little size, act like a BIG bird. I'm pretty sure a cat would NOT mess with them. They come flying at you feet first. We've had all kinds of bantams and usually they are the ones to chase you! LOL But they're cute, and I like 'em anyway.

I think I would put the coop up against a brick wall thats about 6ft tall would that be a bad idea considering they could jump onto the coop and then over the wall?

 

[SKG1121]

bump..

 

[ragerkid2]

Even when mine do an egg song, their not loud. The only time they are loud is when they fight over a nest box. Sometimes they are super stubborn and will just sit there and scream until the other birds leave them alone. The other day it sounded like hen massacre in my coop. All because they wanted that special nest. There was three birds in the coop latterly just screaming until I broke it up. It was quite comical. And even then my neighbors could NEVER hear that inside their house.

 

[SKG1121]

thanks

 

[Hawkeye95]

I think I would put the coop up against a brick wall thats about 6ft tall would that be a bad idea considering they could jump onto the coop and then over the wall?

I think you'd be fine putting the coop up against the wall. So long as they don't have a step or use the coop to get over the fence. And even then, you might be able to figure out a way to prevent them. Maybe put up some wire there? I'm not sure what it looks like. They shouldn't be able to fly 6 ft though from the ground. At least, my hens can't-- or I should say, my great big birds-- like the barred rocks, Wynadottes-- they are just too big and don't get much lift. The smaller bantams can surely fly that high no problem. (but not silkies-- they can't fly at all)

 

[ChickenMan77]

Even when mine do an egg song, their not loud. The only time they are loud is when they fight over a nest box. Sometimes they are super stubborn and will just sit there and scream until the other birds leave them alone. The other day it sounded like hen massacre in my coop. All because they wanted that special nest. There was three birds in the coop latterly just screaming until I broke it up. It was quite comical. And even then my neighbors could NEVER hear that inside their house.

This is funny and great info. One time I saw one of my Easter Eggers on the out-door roost screaming up a storm pacing back an forth, looking down at my Barred Rock and other EE like she is preaching or something. After about a minute the Buff Orpington came out of the coop, and likely the nest box judging by your story. Right then the ruckus stopped and she went in and laid her egg. I now think that she just wanted her specific nest. I just love chickens, they are so funny.

 

[ChickenMan77]

I think I would put the coop up against a brick wall thats about 6ft tall would that be a bad idea considering they could jump onto the coop and then over the wall?

The only time my chickens went over my 6 foot fence is when my buddie's Australian Shepherd went into the back yard while the chickens were out. Two of them, one Easter Egger and one Plymouth Barred Rock went right over the fence without issue. I consulted my vet about clipping the wings after that and he advised that if the chickens don't have a reason to go over the fence, like fleaing from a predator or searching for entertainment, clipping the wings won't be necessary. I chose to not clip the wings and made sure the hens felt safe in the yard and entertained. When we let them out we spread out some scratch all over and sometimes hang some kale from a tree just high enought that hey hvae to jump for it. They have never tried to go over the fence since. My neighbor who used to keep chickens is still amazed that the hens are so content in my small yard but so far so good.

 

[SKG1121]

thanks, thats really helpful!