When you hear the word chickens, what comes to mind? Fresh
eggs? Chickens scratching in the yard? Do you wish you could have your own
chickens to care for but are concerned about barriers that prevent that dream
from becoming a reality?
Chickens can be kept in
most communities; even places you wouldn’t think it possible- like San
Francisco for instance. In SF you can keep four or fewer chickens in
residential districts without acquiring any special permits. So, location may
not be a barrier where you live, and it’s worth investigating, as you may be
pleasantly surprised by the results.
One of the first considerations when deciding to raise
chickens is the coop. To avoid frustration later, take into consideration what
you may feel are potential barriers for you or the members of your family that
will be working within the coop. Yes, your chickens are an important
consideration, but so is your
ease of access since you, or someone close to you, will be gathering eggs from
the coop, cleaning it out, and maintaining it for as long as you have chickens.
For these reasons, your coop needs to meet your needs as much as it does your
chickens.
Chicken coops can be built, purchased pre-made, or made to
order. Things to take into consideration when considering your coop options include
accessibility into the coop for yourself, access to the nesting boxes for egg
collection, and ease of cleaning.
Depending on the size of your coop, you may want to consider
putting in a ramp to access the coop interior. A ramp makes it easy for you to
get in/out as well as for you to take wheeled items in/out- such as a wheelbarrow
or cart. The ramp size/slope will vary depending on whether there is a need for
WC accessibility. Google “rise over run wheelchair ramp” and you will find all
you need to know about properly sizing a ramp for wheelchair accessibility. The ramp
should not be too steep no matter who is entering- as you don’t want runaway
carts, or runaway people- for that matter.
Another consideration is the entry door style and size. A
door that swings outward will make it difficult for a person in a wheelchair or with
mobility issues to gain access to the coop without having to roll back on the
ramp or step backwards. A sliding barn door style door or a door that opens
inward may be a better choice. The handles and latching systems should also be
taken into consideration for these doors as well, so that anyone can open/close
them effectively.
The coop doorway should be wide enough for whoever is entering/exiting
to freely move through it. If there is a need for someone with a wheelchair or walker
to enter, then the doorway and inside coop area need to be wide enough to accommodate
safe entry as well as the turning radius needed.
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| Horizon Structures Cleaner-Coop Option |
Cleaning out the coop can seem like a big chore, but there
are also options available to make this easier. An outside access door or sliding drawer can
be utilized under the perches to make cleaning less daunting. This is the most
heavily soiled area of the coop since your chickens are perched there all eve
while they sleep- and believe me, just because they are sleeping doesn’t mean
they stop pooping!
Nesting boxes can be built so that they are easily accessed from
the outside of the coop as well. These can be customized with regard to height so
that they work whether you are in a wheelchair or you have children who you want to be
able to access the boxes independently. Nesting boxes housed on the exterior of
a coop should also have a latch that is accessible for those that will be using
it. Be sure to pick a latch style that fits your needs but is too hard for the
wandering raccoon or other critter to open and gain access to the coop.
One of my favorite sites for purchasing a fully customizable
coop is Horizon Structures. https://www.horizonstructures.com/ All of their coops are built to order, so any ideas
can be explored. In communicating with Eva Lapp, a Project Manager with Horizon
Structures, she confirmed that modifications such as wider entry doors with ramps are
no problem for them. They also offer the “Nest Box Lid” which is a drop down
from the outside that allows for egg box access from the exterior, so that you
can clean boxes and gather eggs without entering the coop. Basically if you
have an idea or need, they will work with you to achieve it so that your
chicken coop works efficiently and effectively.
So, there you have it! I hope this information helps you
break down some of those barriers that may have been stopping you from fulfilling
your dream of raising chickens. Keeping in mind your needs, is as important as
keeping in mind the needs of your future chickens. You want the experience to
be a pleasant one, for all involved, and taking steps to remove obstacles even
before you get started, will help ensure that your hobby farming experience is
wonderful from the start.
Blessings-
Laura
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