Basement Chicken Coop

[Nyhillbillies]

And…. Correct me if I am wrong: State zoning laws /regs outweigh local zoning laws/regs……

 

[Raisetherooster]

If your birds are not legal, you're not 'being bullied', you are in the wrong and have deluded yourself into some sort of 'fight the man' victim. I'm guessing you live in an hoa or an area in which poultry isn't permitted, there are conditions you signed up for when you moved there, you are legally and ethically required to abide by them.
If you don't like it, move.
Basement living is cruel to your birds, and unhealthy for you both.
If your neighborhood takes legal action against you, and they will eventually, you will have your birds taken, you fined or kicked out.
I'm sorry but that's the reality.

they got the birds while they were legal. It’s a new ruling that’s being enforced by a busybody. Unfortunately, this is a problem a lot of backyard chicken owners have, and it needs to be discussed further. During this time, people should exercise their right to become more self sufficient, not bend over and kiss the boots of those who should mind their own.
If the chickens aren’t bothering the neighbors, they will likely get to keep them.

 

[Aunt Angus]

Lots of folks have house chickens. Most don't have entire flocks. I have 2 living inside with me now because they have special needs. I also have 2 ducks inside temporarily (loooooong story). It's not that bad. My birds are happy and healthy and run around and interact with each other, with us, with my other pets. They all get a few hours of daily outside time, but since you are planning to do something at least a few days a week, I think it'll work. It will definitely not be ideal, but it will buy you and your birds time.

That said, I would absolutely 100% look into "grandfather" rules. You and your flock will be much happier if yu can avoid this whole mess.

 

[Smcferrin]

In most cases I hear of, that has been true.

they got the birds while they were legal. It’s a new ruling that’s being enforced by a busybody. Unfortunately, this is a problem a lot of backyard chicken owners have, and it needs to be discussed further. During this time, people should exercise their right to become more self sufficient, not bend over and kiss the boots of those who should mind their own.
If the chickens aren’t bothering the neighbors, they will likely get to keep them.

Absolutely..,..I am doing research and gathering information on the various matters regarding this issue. My fellow chicken owner neighbors are also being targeted and we have to be able to secure our right to have, care for, and enjoy our chickens, of course without hurting others. I wouldn't want to do something that factually hurt another. But the reasons they come up with are often absurd and clearly not reality...the tide has been changing for a while to raise our own quality food. It's becoming more popular for good reason. We are standing atm in arm and it makes me feel passionately to help others that want to do the same. I want to advocate

 

[SourRoses]

At the least, you should properly ventilate the space. Filters won't cut it because the main issue will be gases. Ammonia rises, so you would need a duct fan with the vent placed high up just under the ceiling. You can buy them on amzn. The 6 inch size, or at the least 4 inch. They are loud so you want to place the fan out of the chicken area (and human area). You can run the corresponding size of foil ducting to and from your fan to make it outdoors through a window or utility access area.
You should also know that even LED plant lights put out heat, which will build in an enclosed space. Plants release moisture through their leaves as part of transpiration. It can make things very humid. So, ventilation is critical.
You must have a fresh air intake of at least equal size as your vent. If you want to keep the chickens cooled or heated you could run the intake from your home to steal some of your house air, but of course that will raise your energy costs a lot. Otherwise, the intake should be from the outdoors and placed well away from the output.
It would also be helpful to seal off an intermediary area between your door to the basement and the chicken area. You can buy tough plastic especially for this and have a zipper door to the chicken space. It would help prevent dander and odors from backflowing into your home when you open the basement door.


I'm only offering this up because I've worked through mental exercises on:
"What can I do to save some chickens through a nuclear apocalypse so we can still have eggs, and genetics for the future?"
Obviously, for my own scenario, there are some holes in the plan still.

 

[Smcferrin]

I love this I love this I LOVE this..thank you! And I think you're so right!! I understand, those scenarios go through my mind too. This is the missing thing. Thank you!