Raising Chickens on a Roof!

[Hobbes]

I am an individual interested in raising chickens on the rooftop of my office biulding and want to know if there's anyone out ther who has done this before!

It is quite sturdy, over 80lb per square ft load, and the owner is very taken with the idea. There are no neighbors to bother either.

If you don't know of anyone who has done it, do you have any tips/ideas/concerns with raising fowl 100ft above the ground? Any thoughts would be much appreciated!

you can contact me directly at [email protected]

 

[xtremevermonter]

First of all,

.

Your idea sounds like a great deal of fun. My main concern about raising chicks on a roof would be the fact that they would not have access to a traditional grassy run. Is there any way you could give them a nice outdoor area (preferably with vegetation) to roam about in? What type of climate? How many chicks? Are there drafts/wind up there?

 

[EweSheep]

They do NOT need grassy runs, they can do well with concrete runs. Line it down with wood shavings or rubber mats (they do get hot under the sun)I know it does get hot in the summer but with shade from potted plants and trees, it is doable! Make sure the building is solidly built and anchored to the roof in case high winds. I have seen people put a mini garden haven with small trees up there as well.

If you can build a long roof coop with opening fenced in on one side to shade against the sun and wind, all is well.

people in NY and Chicago has done it successfully!

 

[redtailross]

How about a green roof? excellent insualting properties, eco friendly, chicken friendly?

Lots of them in Europe and becoming more popular...see what the owner thinks?

There is a little engineering to it, but loads of info online!

Just a thought...Love the idea though

 

[EweSheep]

Yeah Red!!!!! Love a green roof top!

 

[patandchickens]

You don't need a grass run (it wouldn't stay grassy for very long anyhow, they just end up as dirt, plus anything you add)...

...HOWEVER I am very concerned about how HOT roofs get. Chickens get stressed at 85-90 F (depending on breed and humidity), and past 100 F you've got serious problems that can quickly progress to dead chickens. I've never been acquainted with a rooftop that didn't get hotter than that, even just in spring and fall let alone summer.

So I am highly, highly skeptical... please at least put a thermometer up there for a good while rather than rushing into getting chickens...

Good luck,

Pat

 

[virginbred]

how about some pics so we can see what you are talking about...pics of the roof top....pics of the building...are there any trees to give shade? inquiring minds want to know...

have you gotten any feedback using your email addy?

 

[saddina]

It's workable I'd think, for the heat we have misters out here in the desert, I don't think the roof in NY tops 110 degrees, and the misted coops do fine here.

 

[patandchickens]

Quote:
Oh my, I've been up on just *house* asphalt roofs in summer and even THAT easily tops 110 F. Talk to a roofer

A quick google suggests that office building type flat roofs can easily be 120-180 F (to give a sense of the realm the numbers are in, not making a prediction about the *specific* roof in question here)

And, mist fans / swamp coolers don't do very much good in a rather humid climate, which includes NY much of the summer.

Seriously, the temperature thing is probably going to be a major problem if this is a typical-construction roof.

Pat

 

[cmjust0]

Quote:
I bet that's why pigeons and other birds avoid rooftops.

Oh...wait.

I dunno much, but I think it would probably be fine so long as they had shade and someone to keep them fed and watered. At least you wouldn't have to worry about coyotes.