Maine

Pics
Date sort Score sort
Hi All.
I'm new to the forum. We moved to Maine in 2014. We bought our house that we were previously renting this February.

My husband came to me yesterday saying he wanted to explore the possibility of having backyard chickens. Maybe 8 or 10, max.

We live on a residential street in Kennebunk. The houses are close to each other but spacious. We have about 1/8 of an acre backyard. As per my husband's guess. Trees separate one side of our neighbors and our back catty-corner neighbors. Small forest in the immediate back yard. Our other side neighbors are only separated by a fence. Do you think our neighbors will dislike us having chickens? I really want chickens but I don't want to be a bad neighbor that everyone hates. I'd of course share eggs! :)

Here's a picture of our backyard with the wooden shed we want to convert to a chicken coop.





 
Hi, athomas,
Welcome to Mi, BYC, I would check with city regulations first, don't want to get all set up and enjoying your chickens just to have a city inspector to send you a nasty gram saying they have to go!!! also it doesn't hurt to check with your neighbors first, you may find them eager to share your experience. if not they may be the one to send a letter of complaint to city that gets you in trouble.
Good luck hope your chicken adventure becomes a reality, they are fun.
 
well advise still fits, sorry I hit the wrong state
big_smile.png
 
snowflake said:
Hi, athomas,
Welcome to Mi, BYC, I would check with city regulations first, don't want to get all set up and enjoying your chickens just to have a city inspector to send you a nasty gram saying they have to go!!! also it doesn't hurt to check with your neighbors first, you may find them eager to share your experience. if not they may be the one to send a letter of complaint to city that gets you in trouble.
Good luck hope your chicken adventure becomes a reality, they are fun.
Click to expand...
Thank you! :)
 
athomas718 said:
Hi All.
I'm new to the forum. We moved to Maine in 2014. We bought our house that we were previously renting this February.

My husband came to me yesterday saying he wanted to explore the possibility of having backyard chickens. Maybe 8 or 10, max.

We live on a residential street in Kennebunk. The houses are close to each other but spacious. We have about 1/8 of an acre backyard. As per my husband's guess. Trees separate one side of our neighbors and our back catty-corner neighbors. Small forest in the immediate back yard. Our other side neighbors are only separated by a fence. Do you think our neighbors will dislike us having chickens? I really want chickens but I don't want to be a bad neighbor that everyone hates. I'd of course share eggs! :)

Here's a picture of our backyard with the wooden shed we want to convert to a chicken coop.





Click to expand...
As long as your town ordinance allows chickens, I'd not worry too much about what the neighbors have to say about it. Would you seek their permission before getting a dog? Chickens are not as noisy as some dogs, nor do they produce as much odor! Being a good neighbor with chickens necessitates that you can keep them on your property. Cause they will LOVE to tear up the neighbor's yard and flowers. Of course, you'll also need to address any odor issues. IMO, very easy to do by ensuring that your chicken run does not become a barren moonscape. They will quickly destroy all vegetation there. The build up of manure will quickly cause the soil to become too high in nutrients, killing the soil life and making it unhealthy. Easily remedied by keeping a deep litter in your run. Basically, you'll be providing them a deep compost that will make the soil healthy, they will spend hours tilling it, and will provide a nice by product of mulch/compost for your yard. With such a small yard, I'd recommend that you cut back the size of your flock to 6 birds for the first year. They will need a minimum of 4 s.f./bird in the coop, 10 s.f./bird in the run. LOTS of ventilation in the coop. As far as sharing eggs: Yes, you can share some... as teasers. But don't let your neighbors expect you to be providing them with free eggs. That first egg is going to cost you DEARLY. But it will be well worth it!

snowflake said:
well advise still fits, sorry I hit the wrong state
big_smile.png
Click to expand...
Welcome snowflake!!!!
 
MainerChick said:
So I have a few roosters that are headed to freezer camp in the coming week if I don't suddenly find someone in need of their services. If anyone is looking for one of the following, drop me a note: Easter egger - one black and white, one red/green, Buff Orpingtons, White silkies.

I'm fine with eating chicken, but thought a last minute appeal to the hangman couldn't hurt.

Happy Thursday!
Click to expand...

I was tempted when I saw EE and White Silkies but my husband would probably kill me if I were to bring home a rooster. Then I looked and Androscoggin county isn't far from Oxford county.. but still my husband would kill me but tempting.. I currently have no roo our one started attacking the kids and I had to send him to freezer camp and am wishing I had fertile eggs from my girls to pop into my empty incubator.. Going through a hatchaholic phase LOL
 

Similar threads

Kyng
    • Like
Israel! Are you from here?
Replies
1
Views
525
Debbie292d
Debbie292d
MGG
Planning large coop interior layout and maintenence, show me your coops!
Replies
2
Views
249
MGG
MGG
J
Introducing chickens (mother and chick and separate pullets)
Replies
1
Views
111
oldhenlikesdogs
oldhenlikesdogs
T
which way round should i introduce?
Replies
2
Views
256
Mrs. K
Mrs. K
Chicks Creek
Advice needed for predator proofing this
2
Replies
12
Views
802
Big Doggie
B

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom