More and more, people inside city limits are keeping animals, but if you want to join in you’ll need to build an animal coop (or have one built). That’s easier said than done.
Whether you want to have the freshest eggs, you’re looking to harness the fur of rabbits, or you want honey directly from the hive, more and more people within city limits are considering keeping their own livestock. And if you are among them, one of the most costly and time-consuming things you’ll need to do is build an animal coop – or hire a professional to help you get one set up.
There are a few steps you will need to take before you get started. To begin with, you’ll need to follow all the rules and regulations or you could face stiff penalties. You’ll also need to ensure that the structures are built well to ensure the animals are safe and comfortable. That means choosing the right materials, designing the structure down to the centimeter, and preparing for the future.
Of course, the easiest way to handle all of this is to contact professionals who have experience with everything from the permits to design to the building of the structures. Contact Fleschner Construction now if you’d like to set up a consultation!
Permits and Regulations
Living in a large urban area always involves some tradeoffs. You may have access to all the most current amenities, but you also have to abide by countless regulations – that includes keeping backyard animals and bees.
Each city is different, so before you decide to go purchase a cow and a dozen llamas, check the local city ordinances first. Even if you are planning on keeping something a little more low-maintenance, there are usually limits on the number of backyard animals you can keep, the species you can keep (and sometimes gender), and how much room they have.
Once you’ve established that you are legally in the clear (either you don’t need permits for the type of animals you want to keep or you already obtained the necessary permits), you’ll want to create a structure for them to live in. As with the type and number of animals, before you begin, check your city ordinances to see what the regulations are in housing the animals – most will require that you meet at least a few basic requirements.
Fortify Your Existing Structures
Before you begin work on an animal enclosure, you will first need to ensure your yard is properly prepared. City regulations will differ, but most will require that your yard is contained, which typically means a fence. They type of fence is up to you, but it will need to be tall enough to prevent any animals from jumping out, and sturdy enough that they can’t knock it over. If you already have this taken care of, double check that there are no gaps an animal could use to get out (or others could use to get in).
Once you are confident that your yard is properly enclosed, you’ll need to measure things to make sure that you have enough space. Again, check your local city regulations, but it is typically required that animals are kept at least 15 feet from a residential structure – and not just your residential structures, your neighbor’s too.
Depending on the animals, you may also need to let your neighbors that share property lines with you know. It varies, but typically if a neighbor is within 150 feet of your property you will be legally obligated to inform them of what you’re up to.
Design Your Animal Pen
Building an animal enclosure is a bit like building an ADU. It requires much less work, but you’ll still need to be precise in your designs and proficient in your building or it could all fall apart.
If you are planning on building an enclosure – say, a chicken coop, just for example – you can find dozens of plans online. But be absolutely sure you are comfortable doing the work yourself, and be aware of all the things plan found on the internet don’t tell you.
A good chicken coop can be complex to build, and you’ll also need to plan for the future. One day you may want to pay the permits and get more chickens, but is the coop capable of expansion? Is it good for both winter and summer? Is it defended from natural predators? These are questions you probably won’t find answers to online, and determining the answers yourself – if you don’t have years of construction experience – could lead to trouble. At the very least, it is worth consulting with professionals to find a design you are comfortable with and meets your criteria.
Livestock are not pets. They can’t run inside and snuggle with you when it gets cold, and they don’t have the luxury of going on walks to do their business. The animal pen needs to be designed with all of that in mind. If the sun beats down on them, they will suffer, just like if snow covers your yard and they have to walk on icy terrain. In both cases, they will retreat inside their pen, so you need to ensure there is a proper defense against the weather, good airflow, and a separation between their waste and living area (or at least an easy way for you to clean it. If any one of these things isn’t accounted for, the environment can become toxic.
And if you are considering building something a little more complex – some form of bee habitat, for instance – be very sure you know what you are doing or you might cause problems for yourself, your neighbors, and the animals.
Choose the Right Materials
Once you have a design you are comfortable with, you’ll need to find the right materials to build it.
The important thing here is to plan for the future. The structure you are building is going to house living creatures, which is something you’ll need to take into account. You can skip on the aesthetic – pigs and chickens probably won’t care about a cherry wood shine – but you may, for instance, want to choose a wood like cedar, which is known to repel insects. You’ll also want to consider that this structure will be more exposed to the elements than your home, so it should be constructed using materials that will last, insulate, and can be sealed up if needed.
Once the building is constructed, you’ll probably also want to water seal it and maybe even paint it. If so, check to see if the paint and sealant are safe for animals. The same is true if you plan on using any chemicals in the area.
It might cost a little more to use better materials, but the alternative is that in a few years you may need to repair or even replace the entire structure if you skimp on materials. That might seem like a decent tradeoff for the short-term, but it is much harder to work on something when you also have to factor in live animals that will need to be moved. It’s better to do it right the first time before you begin work.
Talk to a Professional About How to Build an Animal Coop
Whether you plan to do the work yourself or hire someone, it’s worth speaking to a professional before you do any work. The team at Fleschner Construction can tell you what you need to do before you can start work, then it can help you get set. A little extra preparation now can save you time and money in the future.
Schedule a consultation today!