[cols chicks]

Hi all, this is my 1st visit to this site and think its full of lots of informative advice, my question is ' i live in a terraced house with only a back yard and was wondering if i could keep 2 or 3 chickens in a coop with only having a concrete floor. I do not want to put the chicks thro any stress and if this idea is not really practical then ill just forget the idea, hope i get some replies, thanks col.

[snowflake]

Well I believe they kept hens in the same houses as your during the war.
Best to get 3, are you thinking of a coup and run combined ? soil or garden centre bark mulch in the run for them to scratch in and help the poo not stick to the concrete. Perhaps the pool liner on top of the concrete might help then top that with soil or bark.
Provide them with fresh food and water daily greens and a chat = happy hens.
do have a chat to your neighbroughs ask if they mind you wont regret haveing chucks.

[grumpydad]

if you can, try to get chipped wood from a tree surgeon which is a bit harder than bark, and will not harbour mould quite so easily.
i started on bark, but have changed over after reading several different sites.
make sure you do lots of reading before hand, but enjoy your chickens when you have them

martyn

[karlooben]

hi there and welcome to the site , you probably can keep them there without any probs but make sure you do check with all neighbours concerned if need be u can bribe them with the odd eggs from time to time sems to work a treat , also make sure what ever u build wehter its a coop an run it has to be very secure to protect agaisnt attacks from foxes etc .

i would suggest u board of part of the garden an fill it will soil with added manure then wood bark { ask tree surgeons they can be cheaper } then that way your girls should get the best of both worlds . if your at all stuck theres always plenty of peeps on here willing to help an offer advice .

[death of rats]

Good Luck, just make sure that you are not prohibited from keeping poultry in you house deeds. Evenif you are the DEFRA definitionof poultry excludes pet chickens.
Hope you enjoy your girls.

[8doubles]

 . Have you thought about bantams , they would probably be better for a small back yard close to the house.

[grumpydad]

bantams are great, we have buff rocks, well 1 left but they have been great. plenty of choice, lots of people on this site have web sites with bantams. one will be along to help you.

martyn

[ehs284]

For the coop itself, can you put it on short legs? A board floor for the chooks will be warmer and drier. A ramp with pop hole will keep out mice and you will be able to wash down the yard without getting water in the coop. You will need to do a lot of cleaning - they are poo making machines - so the easier the better. Enjoy.

[Foxy]

If you can get hold of faverolles bantams they are wonderful, cute and lay good sized eggs for little ones , nice compact little bodies and incredibly friendly natures, I love 'em!