I am looking to expand my "SOL" - Sustainable Organic Local life and wondered if there was someone with land that would like to start a chicken co-op? Someone with land who barters for eggs or charges a nominal fee for the land to build a few chicken coops. An idea from doing community gardens. Everyone takes care of their own coop and chickens! No roosters! We could also have a coop-raising benefit to offset the cost.
GOWEST
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2011-02-08 12:16 PM |
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Is that a chicken Co-op or a chicken coop, or both?
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SBSWEETPEA
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2011-02-08 12:25 PM |
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I don't have the land but would to join the co-op.
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COMMENT 144028P
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2011-02-08 12:37 PM |
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Ask Fairview Gardens if they have such a program. They used to have chickens, but the neighbors didn't like the noise. I think they moved them off the Fairview Ave. site to another location.
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GECKOGIRL23
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2011-02-08 12:40 PM |
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I don't have the land either, but this is something I'd like to participate in.
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AQUAHOLIC
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2011-02-08 12:53 PM |
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I have the land, but I think my neighbors might charge the gates with torches and pitchforks if I offered it up...I would, however, like to co-op on the coops.
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COMMENT 144044
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2011-02-08 12:59 PM |
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Interesting idea. I can provide land (lets say 25k SF) water and electricity in the goleta foothills 5 minutes from 101/farview, 2 minutes from Fairview gardens. You would need to: 1) Get permission from neighbors (one is a farm and would have no problem I assume)
2) Get permission from the county
3) Get insurance and everybody involved signs a waiver.
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COMMENT 144047P
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2011-02-08 01:13 PM |
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144044, what is your zoning and lot size? How close are the neighbors?
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COMMENT 144048
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2011-02-08 01:22 PM |
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I would love to participate as well and know of others that would sign up in a wink!
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AQUAHOLIC
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2011-02-08 02:08 PM |
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I really like this idea, however, I must plead ignorance about chickens, coops, etc. How many eggs does the average chicken lay? How much space do they need? How to protect them from predators? What do they eat....etc, etc. Would like to understand more of the particulars.
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COMMENT 144072
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2011-02-08 02:24 PM |
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This is a terrific idea! I would gladly be involved and can bring some chicken knowledge, having had backyard chickens previously when our living situation allowed for it (not anymore - oh well) 144044, if your location is where I think it is, we'll also need to build some pretty good chicken housing. There are BIG coyotes and bobcats up that canyon :)
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COMMENT 144109
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2011-02-08 04:58 PM |
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Wow, that is an awesome idea! I would love to join....would anyone like to partner with me? Let's say 50/50 on coop,chickens and responsibility?
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COMMENT 144136P
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2011-02-08 06:44 PM |
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My neighbors had chickens and let them free-range during the day. We had a horrible problem with flies. I wouldn't want to have neighboring chickens again ... though I'm pretty sure it is legal to have hens in the city and the county.
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COMMENT 144148P
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2011-02-08 07:09 PM |
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My chickens attended the superbowl. :o) You'll certainly need critter-proof housing if no one is living near by. A couple of hens in the back yard take little space, do squawk when they lay so can be a little noisy, but mine attract few to no flies... they're great for composting!
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COMMENT 144177
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2011-02-08 09:00 PM |
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Mmmmm... I'm tasting those drumsticks already!
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COMMENT 144185
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2011-02-08 10:02 PM |
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Thank you so much so far for all the positive feedback. I will be doing more research about county issues and will post my findings this week. I envisioned to start three coops on the property approximately 6x6 enclosed housing no more than three chickens peer coop. The coop owners would bring in their own water and supplies so the land owners would not have any provide any utilities. No free range, no roosters, and signing a waver regarding loss would be a must. Coops would have to stay clean to avoid the flies and if all went well and land was available the land owner could provide additional spots. I would propose that we have a "coop" meeting to decide on coop construction, care, and responsibility. I am not going to stop till I can make this happen. SOL - Sustainable Organic Local Life
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COMMENT 144196
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2011-02-09 06:10 AM |
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Are you planning on including an enclosed 'run' for each coop? I would hate to think that the chickens would be caged in that 6x6 space for their entire lives. That sounds like an egg factory to me. FYI even inside the city limits you are allowed to have up to 3 chickens (no roosters.) In the unincorporated parts of the County there are no real regulations at all. If you are not already aware there is a website called BackyardChickens that will answer just about any question you would have.
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COMMENT 144214
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2011-02-09 06:59 AM |
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It's true that you can have them but I have an association that says no live stock. I think a lot of people might be in a similar circumstance. As far as a run for them that would be great. I appreciate the reference. I think that this post was to see if there were any land owners that were willing to get this project going. I do appreciate your feedback though. Everything people send comments about is important to consider. Keep it coming!
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COMMENT 144250
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2011-02-09 08:07 AM |
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I have a third of an acre on the Mesa that backs up to open space, however we have lots of skunks, racoons and the occasional coyote. Neighbor houses are far enough away that flies wouldn't be a problem. However, being within city limits your coop could only have 3 chickens, so that might not be feasible for your plan to have 3 or more coops. I'd be willing, after checking with my husband, to have the one coop and would provide water in exchange for eggs.
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COMMENT 144292P
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2011-02-09 09:06 AM |
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Wonderful idea!!! Please know that chickens are social birds, and deserve to have coops that provide walking space.
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COMMENT 144325
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2011-02-09 09:56 AM |
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I keep my 3 hens in a fenced coop of 6x8ft, plenty of space to scratch in the dirt and take dust baths (free range). Their indoor home is a rabbit cage where they lay eggs and sleep. It's raised so they can go under in the day for shade. They rarely do the loud cackling when an egg is laid. Great pet for kids, no fly problem I've noticed. Chicken feed is surprisingly inexpensive. Give them greens for treats, they make really orange yolks.
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COMMENT 144407P
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2011-02-09 11:32 AM |
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Take a look at these cat runs (for people who are wise enough to not let their cats roam): http://www.catsofaustralia.com/cat-enclosures.htm One can make a nice enclosure for hens to enjoy their lives in your back yard. Make some extra effort, as you would for any pet.
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SEEDLADY
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2011-02-09 01:48 PM |
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Fresh eggs are great, but you've heard of the "pecking order"? When chickens are crowded without sufficient roaming/gleaning area, they will become territorial and start "persuading" less aggressive hens to 'stay out'. The lowest status hens become harried and de-feathered. I've seen it happen and it is heart-breaking. Don't overcrowd chickens, and do give them roaming room. Feed fresh greens and change water DAILY, a must.
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COMMENT 144463
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2011-02-09 01:55 PM |
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COMMENT 144044 what kind of insurance would you want to get? Please explain because whenever you say insurance it always is more money, usually lots of money. We could write a waiver that we as coop tenders have sole responsibility individually to deal with loss of chickens, medical attention for ourselves and the chickens, and that the land owner bears no responsibility for any damage to due fire or natural disaster to the coops and contents. If you really have 25K SF I would assume the coops would not be close to the house? If you are really serious my husband and I would love to talk to you. Please email me at cdshipp@gmail.com. Thanks
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COMMENT 144783
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2011-02-10 01:37 PM |
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My kids had chickens when they were young, in the 70's. We lived in a residential area of the Goleta Valley. Started with three chicks, two were hens, and one turned out to be a rooster. Immediately we built a "night room" within their chicken wired safe area. That kept Raven, the rooster from crowing until after we let him out later in the morning. Never had a problem with neighbors--or flies. The brood grew to eleven. They had free run of our back yard all day, and happily back to the coop at night. Only one flew the coop--to another house with chickens. Nothing better than free range eggs.
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BONNER
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2011-02-10 02:15 PM |
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I've got hens who roam a 15'x15' enclosed pen in day and up in their coop to roost at night and lay eggs whenever. I planted a few small trees to keep the hawks from picking up the chicks and if you keep your coop clean and fresh water daily then you will not have flies or other problems, but they must be boarded at night due to bobcats and others. Also, mice will try to inhabit and other birds fly in and out to pu. food leftovers, and pecking order happens even when not crowded but less so when habitat good. They just started laying again now that longer days, I love fresh eggs!!!
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