re: 2023 Spring Garden Thread

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probably not, but what kind of enforcement are we talking about?

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Yeah, I see that. But the vagueness of it is that it includes animal (dog or cat), livestock, or poultry together...except household pets. Could a chicken be a pet? I would imagine a rabbit or lizard, or stuff like that would not be objected to?

We could probably house them on the back neighbors property if they are agreeable, they are not subject to any restrictions and have talked with us in the past. But I would like to have them on the corner of the property in one of those rolling coup situations and dont want people yapping at me if it gets on my corner sometimes.


Enforcement? I dont know. I do have one bitchy neighbor nearby. But he is old, the chickens may outlive his residence here.

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Very nice. What kind of chickens are you getting?

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I got 4 white rocks and 1 buff orpington for now. Pickens were slim since around easter is the most in demand time of the year for chicks. I initially wanted all orpingtons.

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How far into the ground did you dig?

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En lieu of digging into the ground, I installed a predator apron. At the base of the coop I stapled a ~14" hardware cloth apron that extends ~12" from the base. Topped it with some rocks, dirt, and straw to keep it out of sight. Nothing can dig through that

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My stance is these are my kids pets and I'm not breeding them. If the HOA somehow finds out and shuts me down, I'll turn the coop into a rabbit den or greenhouse.

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My neighbor that would have an impact wants to partner in the raising and the eggs. So I think that as long as I keep it small and well kept I would be fine.


What breeds are quiet? I have been told that Brahma are good choice.

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I am slightly interested in chickens live in a subdivsion, have a little over an acre and a quarter. Back yard backs up to non subdivision property. Next door neighbor and back 'neighbor' on the 4 acres behind are on board with some community type chickens and possible garden over time.

Here is our restriction for the subdivision. What is your opinion. Seems kinda oddly worded. Includes animals and livestock in the same sentence. Could chickens be determined to be pets based on this language?


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No animal, livestock or poultry of any kind shall be raised, bred or kept on any Lot, except household pets, provided that such household pets are not kept, bred, or maintained for any commercial purpose or are not kept in such numbers or under such conditions that are offensive to the Owners of the other Lots. No pet shall be allowed to run free or unsupervised within the Subdivision. All household pets shall be kept indoors or restrained by an enclosed fence. All pets shall be under leash at all times when walked or exercised in any area of the Subdivision not enclosed by a fence. No pet shall be allowed to make an unreasonable amount of noise or to become a nuisance.

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thats the same language mine has. If i do it, my plan is to ask the neighbors on either said if they want free eggs....for their silence.

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Cool deal. Do you have predators in the area at all?

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Haven't seen anything other than cats around here. Theres a family of rabbits that live in the greenspace behind my house and we've seen rabbits in our backyard every year for the past 4 years so I'd imagine there isn't that much predator pressure. Still, it was a very easy task to install the apron so figured it was worth it just in case

I gotcha. Yea cats shouldnt be a problem at all I would guess. Yea good call on the apron. Better to have it than go out one morning and some a-hole dug into it and got everything.

Chickens are cool animals. Also surprisingly resilient.

Anyone NOT watering vegetable gardens daily right now? I'm running drip irrigation

I am not. I have a past filled with over watering episodes, so I am doing my best to avoid that this year. While I am a beginner no-nothing, my father was the best gardener I have ever seen. He rarely watered.

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Anyone NOT watering vegetable gardens daily right now? I'm running drip irrigation

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I am not. I overwatered early. I am watering about every third day but not saturating.

My beds are too deep and dry out too fast. I will have to make some changes next year but added top soil and manure and some yard dirt to try to hold more moisture. I may have it. But the heat coming will tell the tale

Chickens do have a start up cost.

Big coop is 8x8. Has 14 hens 1 rooster.

Small coop will soon be replaced. Had 1 silkie rooster and 4 hens. 10 just hatched so we are up to 30 chickens.