Building My First Ever Coop and Run

[AdaliaStark]

I'm going to start this thread off by copying some of my last few posts over here from my thread about the ordinance changes in my city.

Just to get my thoughts from there over to here where I believe they fit much better.

 

[AdaliaStark]

Okay so my cousin, who is gonna help me with building the coop and run had some questions about the ordinance also which led to him calling the city clerk for clarification and answers.

He told me that I'm the first person to ever ask about things or pursue chicken keeping in the city. They said I can do a chicken tractor along with the coop+run for extra square footage. I can raise the 4x6 coop up 1ft off the ground for a total of 7ft, but this honestly makes it seem like they don't even know their own ordinance??? As the ordinance requires the coop to be raised 1ft off the ground by default plus adding a cupola would make that coop 8ft in height.

My cousin said that it seems like I'm blazing the trail here, and that I have a little wiggle room so long as I meet the 3ft from property line and 30ft from the residence requirements. So I guess this means that depending on what I do, I could be changing and/or clarifying the ordinance further for anyone else who wants to also have chickens in my city.

I will update further once my cousin has had a chance to get back to me on some of the stuff I said when I saw what he was told by the city clerk.

 

[AdaliaStark]

So my cousin never did get back to me on those questions I had, he is pretty busy so I completely understand.

But he did tell me to stop looking at plans and put together a list of features I want the coop to have and he would create the plans.

So I am working on that list and it has caused to me to get a bit stuck, as the list kinda evolved into a seperate list for the run and a seperate list for the coop.

I was figuring that any leftover wood there is from building the coop and run could be used for some raised beds, the soil here is all clay so really really difficult to dig in much less plant in.

I've seen people discuss using their run for a chicken composting system, it sounds really awesome tbh and would help out with those raised beds. However we get alot of rain during the spring, summer and fall plus not only snow but negative temps and ice during the winter. So I'm not sure if I can even do a composting run in those weather conditions, especially if I were to put a roof on the run to deal with the aformentioned weather as I was thinking of the tinted polycarbonate roofing I've seen some people use.

 

[AdaliaStark]

I've been doing some looking at chicken breeds, while I wait to hear back from my city clerk. Gives me a break from looking at coop plans that might end up not working out once I've heard back.

I've seen that Leghorns can be pretty high strung and thus prone to cannibalism, which is making me learn towards not getting them or just getting 1 at most, probably only once I decide if I need a 4th-6th chicken or not.

I'm mostly looking for friendly, docile breeds that are cold hardy who don't mind confinement to a run and coop during the winter(got stray cats, raccoons, opossums in my area) and are really good egg layers.

By reading the articles on breeds and doing basic research online, it seems that Speckled Sussex, Dominique, Blue Plymouth Rock and Blue Copper Marans(and maybe Black Copper Marans) are breeds that meet what I'm looking for. I've also seen what people have to say about the Swedish Flower Chicken and Sex Links and it seems like they too might meet what I'm looking for.

I am aware that chickens are like other animals, each with their own personality and temperament thus they might not always match what you read or hear.

I would like advice on these breeds that I'm looking at plus any others that could be recommended for me to research!

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

Specked Sussex are some of my favorite chickens. I would look for something with a rose or pea comb though because then you run less risk of frost bite. Some breeds of Orpington, Barnevelders and Wyandottes might be better choices for your weather. They are usually pretty mellow as well.

 

[Ted Brown]

White Chanteclers would suit your requirements for cold hardy and docile. About 200 eggs per year.

 

[AdaliaStark]

Specked Sussex are some of my favorite chickens. I would look for something with a rose or pea comb though because then you run less risk of frost bite. Some breeds of Orpington, Barnevelders and Wyandottes might be better choices for your weather. They are usually pretty mellow as well.

Okay, I had seen that Speckled Sussex had a comb that looked like it could be prone to frostbite. Are there any particular breeds of Orpington, Barnevelders and Wyandottes that you recommend?

White Chanteclers would suit your requirements for cold hardy and docile. About 200 eggs per year.

Okay, I will look into them! Thank you!

I plan to start with 3 chickens and see if I need to expand to 6 overtime however I will be making the coop and run big enough to hold the maximum of 6 chickens. Would I be able to have a flock of different species/breeds or it is advised that you only have a flock of the same species/breeds?

 

[ChickenShepherd_6116]

Specked Sussex are some of my favorite chickens. I would look for something with a rose or pea comb though because then you run less risk of frost bite. Some breeds of Orpington, Barnevelders and Wyandottes might be better choices for your weather. They are usually pretty mellow as well.

I can attest to the Speckled Sussex being great, I have one and she is so sweet!

 

[Ted Brown]

I have Chantecler, Barred Rock and some mixed breeds, no issues. Do note that chicks raised together do tend to stick together.

Good luck!

 

[AdaliaStark]

I have Chantecler, Barred Rock and some mixed breeds, no issues. Do note that chicks raised together do tend to stick together.

Good luck!

Okay so as long as I raise them together as chicks, it will be fine!

Thank you!!!