Question about chicken coops and rabbit hutches

[Mucky]

To start with, I am a townie and a newbie. I haven't had any farm animals since I was a kid.

I got this crazy idea to build a small coop and my get my kids each a chicken. I grew up with dogs, cats, chickens, ducks, rabbits, and even had a pair of raccons. I want my kids to experience some of that but unforunately I live in town.

I have decided to build a very small coop even though I am pretty sure they are not legal here. I dont think the city would have much of a problem with it, I have searched through the city code/ordinances and could find nothing about chickens (actually didnt find much about livestock either). My problem is the street I live on is part of a subdivision with is own covenance, although I have no idea who actually enforces it.

If I get in trouble, the chickens are gonna have to go live at Grandpa's house, I'm sure he won't mind housing his grandkids chickens.

So my plan is to get a couple of chicks for the kids, and if we get in trouble they will just have to move to Grandpa's house. If that happens, I want to use the coop to house a pair of rabbits. I know they are legal.

I plan to model my coop after one I found on this website. I am going to use some different construction techniques but overall I plan to use about the same dimensions.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=34095

My question is, would this be suitable for a pair of bantams or possibly a pair of rabbits? I don't know much about rabbits, will they use the ramp? Are there any changes I should make to the design to make it work for either chickens or rabbits?

Thanks for reading my long post. First post too

I love this forum, everyone is so nice and so helpful. I finally had to make an account.

 

[wing it]

I beleave it would work

 

[CityChook]

It's a cute little coop - and very low profile. I'd add a window if possible - all creatures deserve natural sunlight. Add some ventilation on the run side (since it's already covered).

 

[Mucky]

Yeah, I plan on a window in the door, and ventilation on the run side, tucked up near the roof.

Theres a few things i havent figured out, im not sure how to roof it. Slapping on some asphalt shingles would be the easiest for me but I think it will add too much weight. I want to keep it light enough to drag around the yard occasionally. And the ventilation, if I vent one side, do i vent the opposite side to encourage air movement?

I got all sorts of questions but I am sure I will find all the answers here.

I might actually start building today. I went out and bought a new tool last nite that I want to try out. Thats the best part of projects like this, new tools

 

[mikecnorthwest]

I think it would work fine. Also, if you can't find any local law or homeowners association rule prohibiting chickens then I would think you're probably okay having them.

 

[Backyard_Chicken_rancher]

Allow me to start by saying

and

from Texas glad you could join us.

Now onto your question yes this would work for two Bantams second to keep it light I would just stain it with a water proof stain same look but it will keep it light and protected as for the rabbits (if need to convert) yes I belive this would work for them as well you would just need to remove the roost and yes you need to put vents on each side to premote air flow as well you would need a poop board or litter under the roost and on the floor..If you have any more questions feel free to ask you will get answers here from the BYC members that is what we are here for.



ETA: you might want to think about adding some wheels to it at one end Makes it easier to drag.

 

[Mucky]

I might go down to city hall today and see what they say, or see if they can find any ordinances about it. I'm gonna have to find the home association documents somewhere. Thats gonna be my real issue. I might print off a picture of the coop im using for my basic design. Maybe if they realize how small the coop is I wont have so many issues. My next task is gonna be trying to get my printer to work

 

[CityChook]

I personally like having vents on opposite sides to encourage airflow. It wouldn't have to be much -- maybe just a couple of air intake/heater vents - should be less than $1 each. I'd recommend putting a little bit of an overhang over the side with the exposed vent to discourage rain from flowing in.

If weight is an issue, I'd just stain or paint the roof. My personal favorite for waterproofing wood is linseed oil/mineral spirits. It soaks into the wood vs. making a layer on top of the wood. Yes, it will eventually have to be redone, but that's not a big deal. You could always use a piece of corregated tin or heavy plastic, but unless you can find a remnant it might be expensive.

My DH has the same philosophy - a project is only as successful as the quantity of new power tools he gets to purchase...

And

from MN

 

[Mucky]

Quote:
Yeah, wheels and a couple handles would be great. I have been thinking about that. I think it will sit behind my garage, but I want to be able to move it out into the yard so they can play in the grass. I will put it back in its spot by the garage at the end of the day. I want to keep it light enough so my wife can move it around during the day.

And thank you for the welcome

 

[Mucky]

I took the kids for a walk down to city hall today.

" 7. "Livestock" means an animal belonging to the bovine, caprine, equine, ovine or porcine species, ostriches, rheas and emus; farm deer as defined in Section 170.1 of the Code of Iowa; or poultry."

I like how poultry was kind of thrown on the end there.

" 55.05 LIVESTOCK. It is unlawful for a person to keep livestock within the City except by written consent of the Council or except in compliance with City's zoning regulations."

"Except by written consent of the Council", looks like I might have to go to a council meeting.

They also had a copy of my covenants. I live in a subdivision named Whispering Pines. Its just one street, a dead end, with about 12 families living here, right in the middle of town. We have are own little set of rules.

" 15. LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY PROHIBITED: No animals, livestock, or poultry of any kind shall be raised, bred, or kept on the property, except dogs, cats, and other common household pets may be kept so long as kept, bred, or maintained for commercial purposes. In no event however, shall more than two dogs be maintained on any one building plot at any one time. Dogs must be tied or fenced in a dog run."

The wierd part is, there is no housing assocation and the city does not enforce covenants.

So, if I am able to get "written consent of the Council" and one of my neighbors complained for some reason, they would have to sue me to get rid of the chickens because there is no one to enforce the convenants. Im highly doubting anyone is gonna get a lawyer to get rid of a pair of hens.

Im just gonna go ahead a build my little coop and next time I see the mayor or a council member I will ask them about it. Its a small town, everyone pretty much knows everyone. If they say no, my coop will just have to house a pair of rabbits instead. My kids would enjoy a pair of rabbits just as much as a pair of bantams but I would prefer the hens. Seems like alot of fuss over two hens I don't even have yet.