Preparing for urban chickens in Oakland, CA

[jaloola]

Hello everyone.
I've lurked around this website for a month or so gathering information on backyard chickens and finally signed up. The knowledge, resources and people on this site are amazing. I have learned so much from your experience. Thank you!

Why now: After 12 years in a live/work space with no yard, my husband and I are in a house with a front and back yard. I'm drunk on weeding, bird watching and gardening. The back yard is large enough for all my outdoor wants and needs and Oakland allows chickens. Joy! I'm going with a chicken arc so I can place it over my garden beds when they're finished and plan on letting the gals out for supervised ranging. I only plan on 3 chickens but after reading the forums I will build the arc large enough for 6. We really can't handle more than that...but I see how this could quickly get out of control.

My first question for you all is this: Is it worth it to buy the Chicken Coops for Dummies book? I'm very handy, have my own tools, have done a lot of research and have a design I think will work. Not sure if I need a book but there's a lot I'm not sure of in this new adventure. Perhaps the Raising Chickens for Dummies...

Thanks again for being here!
-Jaloola

 

[Knock Kneed Hen]

I don't think you need a book. You can find everything you need here on BYC. When I started planning my coop I spent hours looking at all the coops to decide which style I wanted, then I visited as many photos of the insides of that particular style, then I visited the inside of other styles, picked out what I liked, you get the idea. I'm very happy with my coop. I spent a lot of time planning it out but I wouldn't change a thing about it. I'd also make sure you have your coop completed before you get the chickens. I have a friend with laying hens in the house because she still hasn't completed the coop. Life gets in the way and you don't need to feel the pressure of a time restraint. This should be fun from start to finish.

You won't regret getting chickens, they're a blast! Congratulations on your new home and your new adventures!! AND

 

[ChickyD]

Welcome!

 

[4-H chicken mom]

and

from Ohio. Good luck with your upcoming new projects.

 

[Kat's Silly Chickens]

you'll enjoy every minute with your chickens. Saying a nice Big

from Texas

 

[mgw]

Welcome from Eastern Wa. If you are handy with tools and have an imagination you wont need a book, the money is better spent on your ark and chicks. plus if you get stuck on something post pics and questions, all the knowledge you need is here on this forum and ready to help. Besides you can only learn so much from a book the most comes from doing. good luck on your chicken adventure!!

 

[jeremy]

Another chicken farmer in Oakland! That's great to hear!

Personlly I don't think you need the book. If you've got basic knowledge of construction and the tools needed, then you're probably good to go.

Where are you in Oakland? PM me and I can't help you with any questions you may have about raising chickens in the city. I've successfully had birds for the past 4 years. Do you have your birds yet? Do you need some still...

 

[linben]

I agree with previous posts that you don't need the book. However, I have another chicken book that I find myself reading for no reason except I like reading about chickens. I have read the book several times ( kind of silly). I also checked out a lot of books at the library and read them for fun and I learned a few things too. I have definitely learned the most from BYC.

 

[jaloola]

Thanks everyone. A little encouragement was all I needed to forge blindly forward and get building the ark.
Of course, it's going to rain all weekend...

 

[Imp]

Welcome from an imp in Washington.

Have fun building

Imp