Keeping chickens on another Lot

[Maton1]

Hi. I have a kind of strange question. I have not found the topic through a search so I thought I'd ask.
We have wanted to have some chickens for awhile but because of yard space we can't. Lately, we have found access to an empty lot. It's about 5 minutes away from us in an Urban area but it is surrounded by 3 neighboring houses.
As a person who's never owned chickens (yet) my question was....is it possible to maintain a chicken coop that is not on your property or is it a terrible idea?
Of course we'd first have to ask the neighbors, etc. but I'd like to get some feedback on the idea itself. Thanks!

 

[casportpony]

Welcome to BYC! I think there are people that do this and I would think that as long as the coop and run are predator proof that you'll be okay.

 

[Henry&Friends]

As long as you offer predator protection, food & water, and most importantly you have permission to use the lot, it should work out. Who owns the lot? You will need direct permission from the lot owner, then you should ask neighbors.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

While not ideal, it is definitely doable. I have a friend that does that and they are about 15-20 minutes from her house.
I think a lot has to do with how frequently you can go there and how long you can stay on each visit.
Not only do you need to make it predator proof, you might want to build for 2 legged predation as well since you aren't there to guard it.
The fact that you've never owned chickens worries me a bit.
Consider an automatic coop door and electric fencing.
Without that, you'll need to be there shortly after dawn and by dusk - EVERY DAY you own chickens.

 

[Henry&Friends]

Problems I can think of happening with a setup away from home would be mostly predator related. Without you there, and without a predator proof run, they’re susceptible to all kinds of dogs, cats, hawks, coons, roads, snakes, people, etc. etc. also, without Daily interaction with you, the chickens would begin to fear you. They’ll also hide their eggs when they come to lay.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Regardless of if you have the owner's ok (likely they'd want a rental fee) or the neighbors ok, is the lot zoned to allow for chickens?

 

[Maton1]

Problems I can think of happening with a setup away from home would be mostly predator related. Without you there, and without a predator proof run, they’re susceptible to all kinds of dogs, cats, hawks, coons, roads, snakes, people, etc. etc. also, without Daily interaction with you, the chickens would begin to fear you. They’ll also hide their eggs when they come to lay.

Thanks for the great advice. It's just down the road about a 5 minute walk so I'd probably be there everyday. But yea, the predator things would concern me.

 

[Maton1]

Regardless of if you have the owner's ok (likely they'd want a rental fee) or the neighbors ok, is the lot zoned to allow for chickens?

Yes.

 

[Maton1]

While not ideal, it is definitely doable. I have a friend that does that and they are about 15-20 minutes from her house.
I think a lot has to do with how frequently you can go there and how long you can stay on each visit.
Not only do you need to make it predator proof, you might want to build for 2 legged predation as well since you aren't there to guard it.
The fact that you've never owned chickens worries me a bit.
Consider an automatic coop door and electric fencing.
Without that, you'll need to be there shortly after dawn and by dusk - EVERY DAY you own chickens.

Yes, you're right. The fact that I have never owned chickens concerns me also but we'd like to learn to do it but it's just too tight by us. I definitely considered the automatic door as I would not be able to be there most of the times at dusk. Without an automatice door I guess it would be impossible.

 

[Maton1]

As long as you offer predator protection, food & water, and most importantly you have permission to use the lot, it should work out. Who owns the lot? You will need direct permission from the lot owner, then you should ask neighbors.

Agree. We have permission. Would just have to ask the neighbors. Honestly I'm not expecting a great response but we'll see.