We have finally gotten our chickens!
I mentioned
back in September that we were looking into getting chickens, and seven months later, we've finally gotten them.
Here's how we got chickens within the city limits of Columbus, Ohio:
Read up on chickens, coops, and mention to the neighbors that you're thinking of getting chickens. Ours were fine with us getting them, which came in handy later. Also read the city health code, section 221.05.
Build a coop. Ours is better insulated than our house and painted a bright, bright green. It also has a run that is just about as predator-proof as we can make it (we have coyotes, raccoons, and hawks, as well as dogs). It took Jeff a long time to build and it's not perfect, but it's the Waldorf Astoria to chickens!
Next, call (614-645-6748) or
email Dr. Messer at the City of Columbus Health Department. You will need to schedule an appointment to have your coop inspected and your house's environment evaluated. Be persistent if you don't get an answer right away. Dr. Messer only has one person to help him with all of the veterinary health-related issues for the entire city. It may take him a while, but he will answer you.
Our house is really close to our neighbors so that isn't necessarily a negative for you during the inspection. It did help that we have a fence. The inspector took pictures of the coop and our yard. I also had to answer questions to show that I knew about chickens and how to care for them.
Next, the letters went out to our neighbors: two to the south, one to the north, and one to the west across the alley. One neighbor we hadn't talked to had some concerns but was reassured when he heard we were only getting a few chickens and the coop would be much closer to our house than his.
Then we got our conditional permit. Yay!
That's when we got chickens. Rather than get chicks from a hatchery, which was an option, we decided to get young laying hens instead. We don't have space to raise chicks inside for the first month or two, so the hens were a better option for us.
I found our chickens through the
BackYard Chickens Forum. We originally wanted
Buckeyes, but no hens were available. Instead, we got an
easter-egger, and three mixed breeds. Their names are
Nugget,
Noodle,
Fricassee, and
Dumpling.
Then I had to take them to the vet's for an inspection. It can be hard to find a vet that sees chickens, but our regular vet at
Animal Care Unlimited sees them. I fashioned a carrier for them out of a Rubbermaid container, some chicken wire, and bungie cords.
They passed their inspection and I got their health certificates.
I also had to write up a care plan and a waste management plan. Be specific. I divided mine into daily, weekly, and monthly tasks.
The next step, which I still have yet to do, is to send the health certificates, the care plan, and the waste plan back to Dr. Messer.
What happens after that, I don't know. I'll update this post when I do!
UPDATE: See more chicken info here (older) and here (most recent).Labels: chickens, how to
