Posted: 11/8/2012 4:06:20 PM EDT
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Here's the issue I have right now. I live next to my office, a funeral home in a urban area and cannot have McDonald's farm going on with my yard right next to my chapel windows. That said I need to up my preps greatly and that means I need to work on my food production, My yard has an 8ft PVC privacy fence though it is not very large. I'm single and the only person I need to prep for is myself. How many chickens could I get by with if I wanted to raised for eggs only at this point. It is impractical to have a rooster at this point due to my location and city regs, no livestock. Also anyone with pictures or blue prints for small nice looking coops or tractors?
Thanks for the help. Also considering hydroponics this winter. |
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Yup. Been on BYC for about as long as I've had my chickens. More ideas than you can wrap your head around there. Just don't get caught up in the eccentric if you are looking for basic efficiency. |
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Just use a rabbit hutch. How many birds do you need?
Chickens aren't too messy, just keep a platform under them to catch poo. If yuo have a fence and use a tractor, you need to carefully consider it. Depending on the chicken density, you will have a worn out yard. Even with a low density tractor, you'll have a worn out yard, it'll just take longer. |
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Quoted:
Planning on 4 hens. My yard backs uo to a salt marsh, so they'll be in a coop with a run. I'll let them free range under supervision. Honestly... four hens won't eat much commercial feed. I suspect your feed bill will be about a bag per month. 15.00 A full grown, laying, hen is worth about 15.00 I have tried to let my hens out to 'free-range' for food, and every time, I turn my back, I lose a hen. It is not worth the money savings to let them out unless you can afford to sit with them the entire time. Pay the money for feed. Stockpile a year's worth of pellets, and don't let them out of your sight. With four hens, you are going to have plenty of eggs, but, a single predator, stray dog, or cat will wipe you out. If you had a rooster, and you were hatching your own chicks, it might justify the savings. I plan to get a rooster to start a self-replenishing flock. For now, my 12 hens are under lock and key. TRG |
I went with the approach of making my coop look decent and more shed-like. Making it look good, or in the same style and color as your house, could effectively hide it in plain sight or make it acceptable to those who see it. This houses four chickens.
It is 100% enclosed, with 1/2 inch hardware cloth used, so mice, rats, possum, etc. can't get in. I also have it surrounded with a small electric fence to keep raccoons from trying. |
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I went with the approach of making my coop look decent and more shed-like. Making it look good, or in the same style and color as your house, could effectively hide it in plain sight or make it acceptable to those who see it. This houses four chickens. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8206/8175981423_fbec99b95a_z.jpg It is 100% enclosed, with 1/2 inch hardware cloth used, so mice, rats, possum, etc. can't get in. I also have it surrounded with a small electric fence to keep raccoons from trying. You sir are a craftsman. I wish I had the skill to build something like that. |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
I went with the approach of making my coop look decent and more shed-like. Making it look good, or in the same style and color as your house, could effectively hide it in plain sight or make it acceptable to those who see it. This houses four chickens. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8206/8175981423_fbec99b95a_z.jpg It is 100% enclosed, with 1/2 inch hardware cloth used, so mice, rats, possum, etc. can't get in. I also have it surrounded with a small electric fence to keep raccoons from trying. You sir are a craftsman. I wish I had the skill to build something like that. Looks like a factory unit made by these guys:http://www.frugah.com/Wooden-Chicken-Coop-p/d3-0002.htm If not, he's copied their materials, and basic plans. I've seen a unit more like the one he pictured, with the same vent holes on another site somewhere. |