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megapeptobismol OP t1_iyznjqu wrote

Reply to comment by wherehaveubeen in Homesteaders by megapeptobismol

Hi, yes I am a member of that. I was hoping to make a little network in CT so we could help each other in the reddit subspace.

It is a growing movement, if this is something you like, I would love to help you make it a reality. No, Im not selling you anything but you can start off with a few chickens. The taste of your own chicken eggs will be the best you have ever had. It is a gateway drug to food freedom and self-sustainability.

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wherehaveubeen t1_iyznwqz wrote

I appreciate that! It’s funny, I live on .25 acres in West Hartford which is about as far from homesteading as you can get, and I’m kind of locked into my current lifestyle with wife kids and job, but I think about homesteading often.

I’d like to start growing food both outdoors and indoors, just to practice and learn new skills. Chickens are illegal in west hartford but any other ways to make best use of little land is of interest me me!

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megapeptobismol OP t1_iyzo361 wrote

I would recommend exploring small scale hydroponics. If you have any space you dont use, you could make it into a small project where you and your kids may learn about plant growth. Lettuce is fairly easy. Imagine eating the lettuce you grown yourself versus the one that had a bunch of chemicals sprayed on from the store.

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ellemenopeaqu t1_iz0yyvs wrote

I'm with you - little land and densely packed. We're allowed chickens but not enough space when i factor in the kids needing to run around.

Last year i got a plot at a community garden, and it was 20x30 feet. I grew a lot of squash, tomatoes and cucumbers, but it was a good start and i learned a lot. I feel like it's a way for me to indulge in the dream at a pretty low-risk way. This next year the goal is to grow things from seeds instead of seedlings.

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pyrrhicvictorylap t1_iz3994m wrote

Man, I grew up in WH, moved away, and moved back to Simsbury. Always thought it was a nosy, pedantic town as a kid, and now that I’m an adult.. I see that I was right 😄

Sad that you can’t have chickens there! Hopefully that changes.. I’m hopeful with rec marijuana that there’s a modicum of progress taking place there. Unlike Simsbury, where I can have chickens but the boomers have all but vetoed weed. Go figure.

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wherehaveubeen t1_iz4b1ri wrote

I get that. I always tell my wife that it’s like we live in a dorm for grown ups. You have some space in your house but you can’t go outside without having to interact.

That being said there’s allot to like. We live in th e new cross town bike path which is cool. I love being able to bike anywhere I need to go.

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neojinnx t1_iyzrq1m wrote

I'm not the person you were originally responding to but I'm chiming in because my SO and I are in the planning stage of building a coop for approximately 6-ish backyard chickens come spring. Do you have any design tips we should take into account? There are so many opinions out there. I'd like to have buff and lavender Orpingtons.

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megapeptobismol OP t1_iyzuuy0 wrote

Hi, yes. For starters easy to clean and easy access.

If you are using an existing room in a barn or garage, it usually easier. We use a part of our small barn.

https://www.thespruce.com/free-chicken-coop-plans-1357113

A safety tip, do no use space heater inside coops. Be aware that rodent may start coming in, chickens are rodent magnets. Facing coop windows south help with natural light for the girls. I recommend buying little solar power lights you can screw on the sides of your coop to help with light in case a predator ventures by.

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himewaridesu t1_iyzueev wrote

I can tell you that you need to make sure there’s a “run” open air aspect (covered in chicken wire on three sides) which has a door to connect to their closed home (the part that looks like a shed). Make sure the door for you to get in is large enough for your body. You can use real shingles on the roof parts or the specialized asphalt.

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north7 t1_iz0nytw wrote

Don't forget to check your local zoning laws.
In my town there are specific laws around how many chickens you can have, how far coops have to be from property lines, etc.

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yankeeinparadise t1_iz0dgxg wrote

We built our coop using leftover wood we removed when we updated our basement. I can send you a pic if you'd like.

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