Wondering if this set-up sounds OK (from a total newbie)

[candicesj]

I'm wanting to get 2-4 chickens, partly as pets, partly for eggs and possibly for meat when winter comes since it's harsh here and I'm not sure they'd be able to survive...

I live in an apartment that has a sort of wooden "solarium" which is more of a shed-style attachment to the back of my apartment. Right outside my back door is a room that has a big window and the door leading to the steps towards the backyard but on the side is a storage space closed by a door that has a window on top 5 feet off the floor and about 9 feet off the ground outside. Half the area is under the stairs for the upstairs neighbour to get to her apartment. I was thinking it could be a good space for a coop. From what I read about rule of thumb guidelines on how much space is needed inside a coop, it's plenty for the 2-4 chickens I want. It's away from predators and has a window with a screen that is high up and would be ventilation for them.

I was wondering what you guys thought about the space I described? Does it sound like it would make a good coop?

Now about their area outside, I would need to fence in a certain area. Most materials that were a decent price and seemed like something I could do would get me a fence that is 4 feet off the ground. I want a breed that does not jump or fly too much too high but is it reasonable to assume that I can find something that lays enough eggs, is a good bird to be eaten, and also would not escape from a 4 foot tall fence? Oh, and it has to be good with kids because my 3 year old daughter needs to be able to benefit too

This leads me to the next situation... My coop is inside and the run would not be attached. I'd have to pick them up and bring them outside and back in again. Is there a way I can make this work? I'd have to leave food and water outside and probably have a corner with a top in case there's some light rain or something and I'm away... Would that work? I figure if there's no rain in the forecast, I bring them out in the morning and I can come back at noon if needed or else when I finish work at 5pm. And if there's rain on the forecast, I keep them in? The area inside that I described is about 5 ft by 8 ft so at least they'd have space.

I don't know too much about chickens, but I'm trying to learn if it's possible for me to have a healthy environment for them with what I have...

Hope something can help me out! Thanks a bunch!

Candice
mommy to 3 year old Nora.
animal-lover without any animals!!

 

[teach1rusl]

Wow...the run being detached sounds like a pain. You can train your chickens to follow your call to lead them to the run each day (and of course tossing a bit of scratch inside there will help), and use a similar technique each evening, so you probably wouldn't have to pick them up to move them.
But since your run is not attached to your coop, it would need to be covered in case a rainstorm broke out unexpectedly (you can't always count on a weather forecast). I'm not thinking of their food, I'm thinking of the poor chickens stuck out in the rain. Mine don't mind a sprinkle or two, but definitely don't like outright rain. Just about any breed, even heavy ones, can get over a four foot fence pretty easily anyhow.

Could you post a picture of the area you're talking about. It might help us think of other ideas for you...

 

[feathers4fun]

From what you describe, it sounds like it would suffice for a few hens. Would want to make sure that the outdoor enclosure is secure from predators- I would reccomend putting a roof on it. Could just cover with wire. If you raise the hens from chicks, they will get used to the routine of being carried outside. Most heavy breed types are pretty docile about being handled. Sounds like you have a great landlord! Good luck!!

 

[ranchhand]

Quote:
Have you cleared this with management and neighbors? Local ordinances okay with it? Chickens are clean if their area is kept clean, but they also make noise when they lay, some make a lot of noise all day. Are there people around with dogs or cats? That's something to consider, predator control.

I am not being negative towards you, but I guess I don't know enough. If it's a large complex, there might be some objections. If it's a small, privately owned place it would be pretty cool.

 

[candicesj]

ranchhand: I appreciate your comment. The very first step before building or buying anything will be to check the laws because I'm honestly not sure at this point if chickens are allowed or not. I'm just dreaming and planning until I find out! I live in a duplex though with an elderly lady above me and just one side neighbour (none in the back, other side or diagonally, so it wouldn't bother anyone back there). I don't know how much noise chickens make... There'd be 2 doors between the inside of my apartment and them, and even more between them and any neighbour so I don't think that would bother, but if they are really noisy it would obviously not be allowed (just like any noisy animal like a barking dog or something).

Feathers4fun: I think you are right about a top... If I make 4 foot posts with chicken wire or maybe something else around them, and put the same material on top to cover it? I'd just need to figure out a way to get a door in there... Man, I'm not handy! If I end up doing this, I sure will have accomplished something

teach1rusl: My husband is home a lot so he could normally go get them if there's unexpected bad weather, but at least a certain amount of space that is covered sounds like it will be kind of necessary just in case. Thanks for your reply!

 

[ranchhand]

Sounds like you have a good plan. The noise is nowhere near as loud as a barking dog. But when you build the run, make it really strong. Chicken wire is only good for keeping chickens in, it does nothing as far as keeping predators out.

What about the 10' x 10' x 6' chain link dog runs sold at Lowe's or Home Depot? They are easily covered and if you wrap the bottom with hardware cloth they are fairly secure for daytime use.

 

[teach1rusl]

Quote:
Yes! A premade dog run is a great idea! And they're usually really easy to resell if you ever stop keeping chickens. Folks around these parts snatch up used dogs runs like free easter chocolates. You can also checks craigs list for used ones...and chicken wire across the tops would hold up fine...AND they have a door already built in.

 

[candicesj]

Ooh, a dog run sounds like a great idea! I looked up our local online classified ads and found a couple and they'd been sold all within a week of posting, which is a sign that they sell well here too used!

 

[candicesj]

I went over my idea with myself and decided that it just wasn't going to work with the hassle of having to bring the chickens in and out all the time. If I was going to have chickens, I was going to need a coop outside with the run attached to it! I found these 2 large dog-houses for sale. What do you guys think? Do you think they'd be modifiable to make a coop? The green one is 30$ (Canadian) and the one we see from a bit further is 100$ and was made for goats. There was more info on that one. It's 5x4x3 approx, which sounds big enough for the 2 chickens I want.