Raising chickens...in the city...on the roof???

[MinnPeeps]

Chickens love to stretch their wings and practice their flying skills. My girls find flying from one area to another is faster.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Really the legality of it is the main thing. You own the building? The generic photo you included looks like a shared rooftop patio, probably not a place for chickens unless management is okay with it.

There's probably also some consideration for the potential of damage to the surface of the roof top from moisture, and you'd need a plan on how to manage litter as well since you can't simply pitch it off the building.

 

[sharptooth]

Really the legality of it is the main thing. You own the building? The generic photo you included looks like a shared rooftop patio, probably not a place for chickens unless management is okay with it.

There's probably also some consideration for the potential of damage to the surface of the roof top from moisture, and you'd need a plan on how to manage litter as well since you can't simply pitch it off the building.

The rooftop patio is private and belongs to me only. It is the top floor of a detached townhouse I am purchasing. I would not put my chickens up on a communal rooftop, lol.

Thanks everyone for your input - this has been incredibly insightful. I am leaning towards rooftop chickens not being as feasible as I dreamed, or at least extremely difficult to maintain for both myself and the wellbeing of the girls. We'll have to think of a plan B....

 

[rosemarythyme]

The rooftop patio is private and belongs to me only. It is the top floor of a detached townhouse I am purchasing. I would not put my chickens up on a communal rooftop, lol.

Thanks everyone for your input - this has been incredibly insightful. I am leaning towards rooftop chickens not being as feasible as I dreamed, or at least extremely difficult to maintain for both myself and the wellbeing of the girls. We'll have to think of a plan B....

Got it. Yeah it's a tricky thing - I've seen stories about rooftop chicken setups in Seattle but I think it would be a lot of work to maintain, having to truck litter up and down from there and constantly checking on the integrity of the roof under the set up.

Only real plus side is obviously ground based predators wouldn't get to the birds, I guess.

 

[Ninaamaya]

I live in Baltimore City and hawks are a huge problem. I mean, they are wonderful, but they pick off my smaller chickens. It would probably be "illegal" to roof keep your birds, but it's a CYA law- if your neighbors don't report you, you are good. But food up and poop down - I certainly wouldn't have any MORE than 4. I think your best bet is to rehome them and visit.

 

[Susan Fleming]

Hi BYC!

I’ve been a lurker here for far too long and thought I’d finally make an account and join in on the chicken chatter

Wondering if anyone has experience raising chickens without a backyard that they can share?

TLDR: my mom has a small flock of 4 silkies that, for a lack of a better way of saying it, she basically no longer wants.
I on the other hand, have fallen massively in love with these poofballs and have basically taken on their care 24/7 for the past year that I’ve been temporarily living with them. My parents are in the suburbs, with a large backyard.

I will be moving back to the city soon, and would love to take them with me (I fear they will be neglected otherwise…)
However, my new place has no outdoor area, except for a very large rooftop patio. It is basically the size of a small backyard…just…higher up…without dirt and grass.

Is it possible at all to raise chickens somewhere like that?? Or would I just be decreasing their quality of life?

I recently stumbled upon The Smart Coop where they featured their AI enhanced coop on a New York balcony which totally got me scheming.

But BYC folks, please let me know if I am crazy to even consider this? Thanks in advance

(I attached a generic photo representative of the rooftop I'd have + screenshot of Smart Coop's video since I can't seem to attach a video)

Hi-

Did you end up doing it? How did it go? I live in Brooklyn and am considering raising chickens on my terrace.

 

[tlcmurphy]

Hi-

Did you end up doing it? How did it go? I live in Brooklyn and am considering raising chickens on my terrace.

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