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Educate Me on Neighborhood Backyard Chicken Coop
Posted on 1/30/23 at 10:27 am
Posted on 1/30/23 at 10:27 am
Looking at getting a run of the mill chicken coop from Amazon for 2-3 hens. Also adding a 10-14 running lane. Typcially neighborhood back yard
Mostly for fun for me and my 3 daughters just to give them a small taste of farm life as my ultimate goal is a 10 acre homestead eventually.
Any tips or pointers is much appreciated.
Mostly for fun for me and my 3 daughters just to give them a small taste of farm life as my ultimate goal is a 10 acre homestead eventually.
Any tips or pointers is much appreciated.
This post was edited on 1/30/23 at 10:28 am
15
Posted on 1/30/23 at 10:45 am to ThatsAFactJack
Don't name your chickens or you will end up with 6 chickens that are too old to lay eggs, and your wife won't let them be eaten for dinner. So you end up just wasting money on feeding them with no return.
Other than that, we got into chickens a few years back. The kids love it and they are the easiest pets we have ever had.
Also, everything eats chickens. (foxes, hawks, dogs, cats) Give they a good high protein layer pellet and with the right chickens you will get a 12-15 eggs a week with 3 chickens.
Other than that, we got into chickens a few years back. The kids love it and they are the easiest pets we have ever had.
Also, everything eats chickens. (foxes, hawks, dogs, cats) Give they a good high protein layer pellet and with the right chickens you will get a 12-15 eggs a week with 3 chickens.
Posted on 1/30/23 at 11:06 am to ThatsAFactJack
Following - would love to figure out how to have chickens (or ducks bc quieter) in a HOA that doesn't allow them 
Posted on 1/30/23 at 11:16 am to ThatsAFactJack
Get an automatic waterer.
Posted on 1/30/23 at 11:24 am to Pintail
quote:
everything eats chickens
That's the most important thing to remember. Shortly after getting chickens every predator in the neighborhood is going to be checking to see if you forgot to close the coop. If you forget, you're going to lose a chicken. If eggs are the goal, start with at least 4-6 chickens because you will lose chicks before they reach maturity.
Posted on 1/30/23 at 11:30 am to ThatsAFactJack
Those amazon and tractor supply coops will last maybe two to three years.
They aren't made very well. You can pretty easily build one which is what we did.
Also, you can have 18 different nesting boxes, almost assuredly they will only use one.
They aren't made very well. You can pretty easily build one which is what we did.
Also, you can have 18 different nesting boxes, almost assuredly they will only use one.
Posted on 1/30/23 at 12:45 pm to TigerTatorTots
quote:
would love to figure out how to have chickens (or ducks bc quieter) in a HOA that doesn't allow them
Pretty sure my HOA doesn't allow either, but no rooster so I am taking my chances. I am out of this hood in 18-24 months anyway so F the HOA Karen.
Posted on 1/30/23 at 12:46 pm to bbvdd
quote:
Those amazon and tractor supply coops will last maybe two to three years.
Not a problem. Only going to be in this house another 19-24 months anyway and this gives my kids a little practice to see if they really like having chickens. Next home will be on 4+ acres and will do a better quality coop.
Thanks
Posted on 1/30/23 at 1:19 pm to ThatsAFactJack
Following. I didn't know this was a thing.
How many chickens is reasonable for one of these backyard setups? I'm on a 1/4 acre "lot" so not a lot to work with.
And how many eggs can one expect to get from 3-4 hens?
How many chickens is reasonable for one of these backyard setups? I'm on a 1/4 acre "lot" so not a lot to work with.
And how many eggs can one expect to get from 3-4 hens?
Posted on 1/30/23 at 1:27 pm to meeple
I am planning on 2 hens. And when they are layin efficiently expect 2+ eggs a day. So should average a dozen a week. Which is perfect for myself, wife and 3 daughters.
I am on the same kind of lot as you, but only for 18-24 months. Then going on 4+ acres and will expand to probably 10 or so hens and just share with family.
I am on the same kind of lot as you, but only for 18-24 months. Then going on 4+ acres and will expand to probably 10 or so hens and just share with family.
Posted on 1/30/23 at 1:28 pm to ThatsAFactJack
quote:
Pretty sure my HOA doesn't allow either, but no rooster so I am taking my chances. I am out of this hood in 18-24 months anyway so F the HOA Karen.
you sound like a "great" neighbor
Posted on 1/30/23 at 1:30 pm to meeple
I believe in EBR its legal for 3 hens (no roosters) per house.
A chicken will lay one egg a day on average.
They slow down in the winter months a bit (but there are things you can do to encourage more laying during cold weather).
A chicken will lay one egg a day on average.
They slow down in the winter months a bit (but there are things you can do to encourage more laying during cold weather).
Posted on 1/30/23 at 1:57 pm to Sir Drinksalot
quote:
A chicken will lay one egg a day on average.
I think they lay ~ every 27 hours if there is daylight.
Posted on 1/30/23 at 2:20 pm to bbvdd
quote:
l. You can pretty easily build one which is what we did.
Do you have source plans for yours?
Posted on 1/30/23 at 2:31 pm to meeple
quote:
Do you have source plans for yours?
I don't, just winged it honestly.
Pretty well knew what I wanted and built it.
one thing that I can tell you that's made it a lot easier to clean when the time comes, it that I put a linoleum floor down over the plywood floor. Makes cleaning it out a breeze.
This post was edited on 1/30/23 at 6:00 pm
Posted on 1/30/23 at 2:35 pm to bbvdd
Anyone mess around with ducks instead of chickens? I hear they are quieter and the Golden 300s lay as many or more eggs
Posted on 1/30/23 at 3:03 pm to TigerTatorTots
The Muscovie ducks are pretty quiet but runner ducks and pekin ducks are not very quiet. If you want quiet chickens look at the Buff Orpingtons and Gold Laced Wyandots. We had both and most neighbors never knew we had them.
This post was edited on 1/30/23 at 3:03 pm
Posted on 1/30/23 at 3:04 pm to ThatsAFactJack
Your neighbors will hate you.
They stink. There will be no dirt left in your backyard.
Every predator within 10 miles will be in your backyard.
You will have random holes all over your yard from said predators.
Your neighbors will hate you.
Projects like this start as a cute little hobby but get out of hand really fast. Trust me.
They stink. There will be no dirt left in your backyard.
Every predator within 10 miles will be in your backyard.
You will have random holes all over your yard from said predators.
Your neighbors will hate you.
Projects like this start as a cute little hobby but get out of hand really fast. Trust me.
Posted on 1/30/23 at 5:40 pm to ThatsAFactJack
Those are cute little coops sold at tractor supply, but they are made of the cheapest white wood and will not last long at all. They will start deteriorating on day one.
You can build your own for a lot less money that will last a lot longer, especially since you are only getting a few hens. Be sure the house and run are predator proof. Design your space so you can feed and change water easily. Clean water is a must.
Different breeds lay at different rates. Most lay 250-300 eggs a year, with some glaring as many as 350.
Like the other poster said - the hens will have a favorite nesting box and will climb all over each other to lay in that particular spot.
They will generally start laying around 5-6 months old, but I have had them start at 4 months and three days old.
Laying pellets are what you want to use, but I like to also give them a little cracked corn on occasion. They will eat anything and I like to give them a lot of kitchen scraps.
You can build your own for a lot less money that will last a lot longer, especially since you are only getting a few hens. Be sure the house and run are predator proof. Design your space so you can feed and change water easily. Clean water is a must.
Different breeds lay at different rates. Most lay 250-300 eggs a year, with some glaring as many as 350.
Like the other poster said - the hens will have a favorite nesting box and will climb all over each other to lay in that particular spot.
They will generally start laying around 5-6 months old, but I have had them start at 4 months and three days old.
Laying pellets are what you want to use, but I like to also give them a little cracked corn on occasion. They will eat anything and I like to give them a lot of kitchen scraps.
Posted on 1/30/23 at 6:51 pm to ThatsAFactJack
quote:
Mostly for fun
Really?
Chickens are pretty obnoxious animals. Smell and will tear up the yard unless you have a mobile coop/run. The protection and predators and pain in the arse is not worth it IMO. There is a very good reason they are typically banned by HOAs, and it’s not just because an HOA is being overbearing. Just two chickens can be manageable, but I’m not sure what the end goal will be.
Make sure any chicks you get are sexed. We had 3 chicks at one point and ended up with 2 roosters.
Eggs are $5-6/dozen. Counting the cost of the coop, fencing, feed, damage to yard, etc. Can’t imagine you’d make you money back too quickly.
See this becoming a short term pain in the arse and waste of money. If you really want to do this, wait until you have the land to do it right. If you start with the shitty backyard setup since you’ll only be there for a year, it may set a bad precedent compared to a proper long term setup.
If you want the experience, just ask around. You’re bound to find a friend who has some chickens and would love the kids to come volunteer for a weekend or on a harvest day.
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