Some folks have recently appeared to be amazed and stunned when I have announced that my chickens are housed in a vacant neighbors garage now titled "the barn". I have even done the deep bedding method in there. Its not the most secure or airtight but neither was their coop. Now the coop is inside the barn as well as a baby brooding area where 6 chicks (7 weeks old) and 3 muscovy ducks live.
I'm having a hard time convincing these muscovies to leave and go outside with everyone else. My ducks generally always stay outside. They don't really need shelter. They do have a dog house they can use and lots of shady underside of trees to sleep under. I also give them plenty of dry straw before winter so they can snuggle up on something dry.
But my 4 big girl hens who lay come out of the barn every morning and over to the back yard for daytime and back in the evening. They like it, its their routine. And God forbid I mess with the routine. They will refuse to lay for days or weeks depending on how bad I have screwed things up!
Well anyway the point of all of this - is my creative reuse of an abandoned garage. I share a driveway with the garage and had already been using the lawn for years. In fact I plan to Lot Links the property eventually (it's just now 2 years delinquent but the porch imploded and its unlikely to be up for much of anything but a tear down). Here's a hint into how my brain works: I see unused things as decaying and heading towards death. By using something I am giving it new life and new purpose. I really really dislike all of the vacant houses around us. Vacant lots covered in grass are near criminal, hence, my urban farm. And I believe in making life what you want it to be. I want my life to be growing, full, a bit overcrowded and weedy, but full to the brim. So I've constructed a life that is just that.
Please share your story of creative reuse - for example, a friend turned her shed into a chicken coop. What have you done to add vibrancy around you or to defy decay or push the boundaries of normal to create a wonderful life?
I'm having a hard time convincing these muscovies to leave and go outside with everyone else. My ducks generally always stay outside. They don't really need shelter. They do have a dog house they can use and lots of shady underside of trees to sleep under. I also give them plenty of dry straw before winter so they can snuggle up on something dry.
But my 4 big girl hens who lay come out of the barn every morning and over to the back yard for daytime and back in the evening. They like it, its their routine. And God forbid I mess with the routine. They will refuse to lay for days or weeks depending on how bad I have screwed things up!
Well anyway the point of all of this - is my creative reuse of an abandoned garage. I share a driveway with the garage and had already been using the lawn for years. In fact I plan to Lot Links the property eventually (it's just now 2 years delinquent but the porch imploded and its unlikely to be up for much of anything but a tear down). Here's a hint into how my brain works: I see unused things as decaying and heading towards death. By using something I am giving it new life and new purpose. I really really dislike all of the vacant houses around us. Vacant lots covered in grass are near criminal, hence, my urban farm. And I believe in making life what you want it to be. I want my life to be growing, full, a bit overcrowded and weedy, but full to the brim. So I've constructed a life that is just that.
We got a new roof last fall and were able to use the leftover shingles on our chicken coop. Not sure if that totally qualifies as "reuse" but otherwise they'd probably be sitting in our garage right now! ;)
ReplyDeleteI just found your chicken group. I too keep chickens in the city and live about 15 minutes north of Dayton. I would love to help this cause! My blog is www.ontheurbanfarm.blogspot.com if youu want to contact me!
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ReplyDeleteSo, what's the latest? My wife and I are considering the purchase of a home on the edge of Dayton which is "isolated" enough from the neighbors that having a few chickens shouldn't even be noticeable; but, I certainly don't want to create a nuissance. I e-mailed the Planners with the City about it, (the possibility of keeping hens (maybe even a single rooster) at the property), but, I haven't had a response. It's been a week already, so, I kind of doubt I'll get one. If anyone would be kind enough to fill us in on what's happening with regard to keeping chickens around here ... we're still relatively new to the area ... we'd appreciate it!
ReplyDeleteHi JD - Right now we're interested in seeing if the energy around Welcome Dayton (an immigrant welcoming program) can produce some headway in the chicken debate. Several commissioners are open to chickens but we've heard our city manager is not. Talking with others tonight I think there is quite a bit of re-engagement that happens around having farm animals. People are just not familiar with this way of living anymore. I always encourage people to start with the neighbors. This will give you the most success long term. And city raccoons and possums are horrible. They will give you problems if your coop is not uber secure. There is also quite a lot of zoning regs that could prevent you from doing chickens 100% legally. However, if the neighbors aren't complaining you're less than likely to get a warning. You have to decide for yourself whether to charge headlong or wait and push for law changes.
DeleteDayton is so backward. It did not use to be this way here, Dayton was inovative, inventive and cutting edge, what happened ?
ReplyDeleteI just e-mailed the city manager, city commission and director of zone ing regarding the benefits of back yard chickens. If you feel the same please e-mail them as well, I need your help !
ReplyDeleteI am interested as well. I emailed our new mayor and was told that she and another person are in favor, while the other three on the board are not. Who do we need to bombard with pro-chicken info to get things started?
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