We are starting a new adventure. We have decided to get chickens to raise in the backyard to lay eggs, and to just have a good time with. The idea started about a month ago when we saw that the "Baby Chicks Are IN" sign at the city feed store. So we decided to go and have a look. I have raised ducks and quail before, but never chickens. Being there is a city ordinance that you can keep a small number of hens in town, we decided to do it. It has been both fun, and a scramble to get everything ready and do this.
Legally speaking, what a mess! A city permit that had to be signed off with the city council, a zoning permit, and a coop and run had to all be done before getting the birds. The govt. agencies don't talk to each other, so I had to do all the running around myself. It finally got done but what a hassle.
My coop is an A frame design with 3 nesting boxes and a 4x8 foot run. I think it should work quite well and I am thrilled that it turned out as well as it did. I used hardware cloth instead of chicken wire, and it is movable; they call it a Chicken Tractor. It is built sturdy, just the way I do things, and should last for some time. The coop has 2 access doors on both ends plus the ladder to get down to the run.
