About CHICKENOPOLIS

Here is a little background on how and why Chickenopolis was created. Last year the property next to us was purchased by a new owner. Apparently they only came to see the house one time and didn't fully understand the implications of living next to a poultry ranch. As a result, a month into living there, they contacted me to see if I could get rid of my roosters or move them somewhere else on my property. At that time I was mid-season and had over 75 boys, including youngins. 

Though I was already set up with 14 breeding coops and bachelor yards, I empathized with the new mother and her loss of sleep and wanted to try and find a solution that would work for both of us. There was a large garden section in the middle of our property that I thought would work well for a large breeding house and began putting the design together. 

When I shared my plans with the neighbor, they suggested a contractor that was helping them with their property and I met with him to begin creating a 44x50 pad. That would give me 12 breeding pens, 2 large growout sections, and a large storage/feed room that would house up to 6 solo rooster pens. Unfortunately, he left me with a 39x46 pad, which put a huge wrench in my design, business plans for expansion, and consideration for the neighbor (I wouldn't have the extra room to bring over more roosters-which was the main starting point).

After months of working and reworking a new design, I was able to create a 9-breeding pen house with two smaller pens for either growouts or a bantam breed, which I am going to use for...Silkies!! I will have a storage room, but instead of being an 8x10 room, it is 8x5. I will be able to house 3 stacked solo rooster pens.

Sadly for the neighbor, they are going to need to figure out a sound barrier that is workable for them as there is only so much I can do to accommodate them given this is a business that was already established and I am legally allowed to have up to 100 chickens/rooster PER acre. I had really good intentions and committed time and money to be an awesome neighbor, but my hands got tied when the contractor they recommended refused to come back and correct the error. He even refused to come by to remeasure to make sure my measurements were indeed shorter than what I paid him to create. So unfortunate.

The good news is that Chickenopolis is in progress and though it has taken longer than I had hoped (due to an auto accident-hit and run), I have recently found someone who has been reliable and capable, and Chickenopolis should be completed by the end of July/early August! Check out the photos to see all that is being done. If you want to contribute in any way, go to the main page and scroll to the bottom for the link. I will write a blog post on my predator proofing approach as well as building for maintenance ease and flock engagement and optimal health soon. 

Would you like a virtual tour? I am providing coop set up and predator proofing consultation services on a sliding scale ($25-$75) and will take you on a full visual tour of Chickenopolis and the steps I have taken to predator proof, what has failed, and how I have fortified the structure. Contact me and we can set up your consult today!

Thank you!!