Urban Backyard Chickens : Building the Chicken Coop Fence

[Spriglief]

@sexofonico For a chicken born in April you can't expect eggs until late Sept. Anything later in the summer and you will be waiting for next spring. I live in NC.

[emanderin1]

I would be SUPER careful with plastic fencing, a fox got into my friends and ate 5 of 6 hens. you coop in beautiful though!

[genghisgirl]

@emanderin1 Right now we live in a VERY urban area... no predators at all. However, we're moving deep into the NJ Pine Barrens soon, so thanks for the tip. We're going to need some heavy-duty security.

[genghisgirl]

@NilsKills I used mostly new lumber and paints, so it cost me about $400 start to finish. It could cost much less using scrap wood ad leftover paint.

[pappasjo]

hi :)

your coop is awesome!

i was wondering what materials did you use for the fence,

aaand what breeds are your chickens?

thanks!

[genghisgirl]

@pappasjo  The "fence" is plastic deer netting. It's so easy to use and very durable. I have 2 black cochins, a partridge cochin, 2 speckled sussex (my best layers), 1 splash silkie, and 2 English game hens (bantam).

[pappasjo]

@genghisgirl thanks :)

but what did you use to attach the netting to the posts?

[genghisgirl]

@pappasjo plastic zip ties.

[nhenry2005]

I love the decor of the chicken coop!

I built a Rabbit Hutch and was planning on painting the outside in a simular way.

[honeybees1]

Your yummy!!!

[NinyGirlForever]

why do you have chickens? 

[genghisgirl]

@NinyGirlForever Along with an organic garden in the spring and summer, I raise chickens for another organic food source for my family. We harvest the eggs and keep the chickens as pets.

[tbonealaska]

those chickens need more space

[genghisgirl]

@tbonealaska chickens require 10 square feet per chicken in the run and about 2-3 square feet in the coop. I provide about 80 square feet of run and 20 square feet of coop for 5 hens.

[integraab]

@genghisgirl You should really take a look how much space have chickens in commercial poultry farms.

[genghisgirl]

@integraab I've actually spent quite a bit of time on commercial farms, both family and corporate owned, as well as farm sanctuaries and community supported organic farms. The conditions on commercial farms are why I chose to raise my own chickens in an open, organic, and humane way.

[wanditawandita37]

how you keep your chicken coop clean

[dogsmumm]

Did you fence over the top to keep them from flying out? I have a four foot fence and it is really hard to walk around inside the chicken yard. I got 8 foot posts today, to put up a six foot fence, or at least a 6 foot "roof" over the chicken yard. There is a four foot fence there now. Your chickens are beautiful. Do they stay clean with their fancy feet?

[genghisgirl]

@dogsmumm I haven't fenced over the top... right now it's about 6 feet tall and the birds haven't gotten out after a couple months of it being up. I'll let you know if they "break out" :) Surprisingly, their feet stay pretty clean... the Silkies stay extremely clean. They only get icky when their run gets muddy. I plan on getting a baby pool this summer to give them baths in the backyard.

[the43k]

Any problems with neighbors or noise issues?

[genghisgirl]

@the43k The chickens do cluck, but are no louder than the wild birds in the neighborhood. When they lay eggs in the morning, there's a bit of a ruckus, but if you acknowledge them, they calm down. I give my neighbors on either side eggs all the time, and they think it's really cool that I'm trying to be healthy and eco-friendly. Its always best to talk to your neighbors before doing something like this (especially if chickens aren't allowed in your town - like mine).

[the43k]

@genghisgirl Thanks for the advice, we plan on building/buying a coop very soon. On the flip side, please check out my videos when you consider expanding your eco-friedly mentality.

Ed

[kastnmagic]

Nice job! :o) Nice hens!! The Cochins make wonderful mothers... You could take one of them to visit a rooster for a few days, bring her back and let her lay 10-12 days (don't collect HER eggs)...She'll go "broody" and sit on the eggs she lays (won't get up much for food/water) and before you know it, 21 days later you'll have little ones... One of the most precious things about the spring!! Sell any little roosters so you don't get in trouble w/the neighborhood.

[genghisgirl]

@kastnmagic We're actually picking up three new chicks tonight! I'll most likely have a video up tomorrow. The Cochins are wonderful ladies... quiet, sweet, and huggable. The Speckled Sussex on the otherhand... :)

[Paptimus909]

HULK shirt is awesome! :-)

[Randomawesomesauce]

That's pretty cool, how long have you had them?

[genghisgirl]

About a year now... I made a slideshow video documenting their time with us so far... it's in my Backyard Chicken playlist :)

[berry98]

lucky dang chickens - getting to look at your pretty legs every day :)

[CheesyMcK]

Five stars for happy chickens!