Take A Peak Chicken Coop Tour May 14 th & 15 th, 2016 1
MAP AND LOCATIONS: Make it easy and use GPS! A map with all locations listed is available for download through MapQuest at: http://mapq.st/27cyus1 *always note the days/times each location will be open THE RULES: Please remember, you are guests in the yards you will visit today. Please go out of your way to show respect. Here are a few rules we require of all who attend: Please, do not bring any dogs or pets on the tour. Do not chase, taunt, feed or handle any birds or other pets on the coop owner's property. Be considerate of our neighbors. Park all vehicles on the street or in designated areas without blocking driveways. Stay in designated areas around the homes and coops. Supervise your children. Restrooms will NOT be available for use at coop locations. Please stop elsewhere between tour stops. 2
Basic Information on Keeping Chickens COLORADO SPRINGS In Colorado Springs you can have up to 10 hens - NO roosters. And, no more than 4 barking dogs and 4 yowling cats. You may also have neighborhood or deed restrictions to worry about. That is checking that should be done BEFORE you proceed with any planning or purchasing. And don't forget the neighbors - talk to them (maybe even learn their names). Who knows maybe they have or would also like to keep a few chicken s. Here is the basic city code covering the keeping of animals. Here is a link to a basic outline of the ordinance: http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/coloradosprings-colorado-chicken-ordinance Colorado Springs City Code 6.7.106: ANIMALS KEPT ON PREMISES; SANITARY REQUIREMENTS: Animals may be kept within the City upon compliance with the following requirements: A. All fecal waste shall be removed as necessary from premises and placed in closed flytight containers, at least every three (3) to seven (7) days. The Code Enforcement Officer has the authority to order more frequent removal depending on the number and size of the animals on the property. The contents of the containers shall be removed from the City as necessary to prevent the contents from becoming a nuisance. 3
B. The premises upon which animals are kept shall be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition and shall be subject to inspection at all reasonable hours by the Code Enforcement Officer or the Health Department. C. The premises upon which an animal is kept shall be fenced or the animal tied so that the animal while unattended is securely contained and is not a danger to persons or property. D. Any shelter provided for rabbits or fowl shall contain an area of at least four (4) square feet for each rabbit or fowl. An adequate area outside the shelter must be provided for any rabbits or fowl. The maximum number of rabbits or fowl maintained on a premises shall not exceed ten (10) each of the age of six (6) months or older. E. Variance from the provisions of subsection D of this section, pertaining to the number of rabbits or fowl, shall be considered a nonuse variance as defined in the City's Zoning Code and shall be governed by the procedures set forth in the City's Zoning Code. F. The maximum number of dogs or cats kept on the premises shall not exceed four (4) each after attaining the age of four (4) months, except in properly zoned and licensed kennels. In addition to the maximum number of dogs or cats kept on the premises, a single litter of puppies or kittens aged four (4) months through eight (8) months shall be permitted so long as there is no more than one other litter of puppies or kittens from birth to age four (4) months also kept on the premises. (1968 Code 11-113; Ord. 74-114; 1980 Code; Ord. 87-36; Ord. 91-32; Ord. 01-42; Ord. 03-31; Ord. 03-121; Ord. 07-134) 4
SOURCES OF INFO AND SUPPLIES: If you're interested in keeping chickens, start by requesting an invitation to join the local discussion group Springs_Chickens - http://groups.google.com/group/springs_chickens most of the Coop owners are members. The group can help answer your questions. Here are a very few of the endless sources of information and supplies: Buckley's Homestead Supply http://buckleyshomesteadsupply.com/ 1501 W Colorado Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80904 Big-R Stores (Colorado Springs, Falcon, Security) Hanover Hatcheries and Hillbilly Farms at Colorado Poultry Clinic - http://hanoverhatchery.yolasite.com/ they are pickup only. MyPetChicken.com They will ship as few as 3 chicks. For Colorado Springs, it seems the minimum is 5. They have lots of breeds. A bit expensive compared to getting what is local. Source of information overload about chickens. www.backyardchickens.com 5
TOUR SPONSORS: Since the Take A Peak Chicken Coop tour is a free event, our sponsors are vital to the success of each tour. Their gifts allow us to advertise, print guides, make signs and offer prizes. We would like to thank the following Sponsors of this year's Tour. "A small, urban, backyard farm in the downtown Colorado Springs, teaching others how to grow in small spaces." www.homegrownandhappiness.com (719) 362-0165 www.rockymountainwormcompany.com 6
Buckley's Homestead Supply 1501 West Colorado Ave Colorado Springs, CO 80904 Phone: 719-358-8510 www.buckleyshomesteadsupply.com Livestock Feed (Chicken, Rabbit, Goat...) Cheese and Yogurt Making Supplies Canning supplies Kitchen supplies Butter churns and lot more 7
A BIG THANK YOU to our local Wendy s Stores for donating all the FREE FROSTY cards for this year s Kids Scavenger Hunt! This Place is for the Birds bird seed feeders bird houses bird baths fountains bird antiques Open Tuesday Saturday, 9:30am 5:30pm 2318 Palmer Park Blvd. Colorado Springs, CO 80909 (719) 633-4422 *Stop in to The Perk Downtown during the tour, mention that you are on the Coop Tour and receive 20% off ALL our great drinks (drinks only) 8
John and Louise Conner 712 N Cedar St, Colorado Springs, 80903 Open: Sunday 9-4 We got our first chickens in May of 2007. The chicken yard consists of a 4x9 foot coop inside a 10x30 foot yard surrounded by mostly salvaged 6x10 dog kennel panels to keep the foxes out. It is commonly known as the Playhouse Coop. We added a double nest box with a door for easy egg collection. During the winter we add side panels made of clear plastic roofing to provide protection from wind. We close the girls up in the 2x4 foot roost box at night usually without extra heat and they do fine. In severe cold we'll turn on 200 watts of ceramic infrared heaters to help a bit. 9
Kellie and Tracy Dodson Homegrown and Happiness www.homegrownandhappiness.com 710 E. Cucharras St, Colorado Springs, CO 80903 Open: Saturday 9-4/ Sunday 12-4 Homegrown and Happiness is an urban backyard homestead created by Kellie and Tracy Dodson. It is a labor of love to provide as much "real food" for their family as they could on their very small piece of the city. They also have a desire to help others learn how to "Grow Big in Little Spaces" too. This little backyard is 100% organic in every practice; from their 9 laying hens, ducks, and bees, to their 10+ raised beds and beyond. And it continues to grow every year as they find new ways to add more. 10
Nancy Brisk 1124 Prairie Road, Colorado Springs, 80909 Open: Saturday 9-1/ Sunday 9-1 "We have had chickens just over a year and love it! We converted a shed into the coop and built a predator proof enclosure for the girls. Chickens are great therapy, and there are a lot of great resources for help if you need it. I encourage you to stop by for a visit and see how easy it really is!" 11
John and Autumn Robinson 4425 Melville Dr., Colorado Springs, 80916 Open: Saturday 12-4 /Sunday 12-4 We have seven girls, four bantams and three standard chickens. They all live together in our coop which we build last spring. My father made a stained glass window for it and most of it was built with pallets and or very cheap material off of craigslist. They have a very large unfinished run but are allowed to roam the backyard freely except for a few parts like the garden. Their names are Betty, Margret, Raven, Sweety, Speckles, Goldie and Pip. 12
Jessica Sevening 1718 Chautauqua Dr. Colorado Springs, 80915 Open: Saturday 9-4/ Sunday 9-4 Our Coop is 10ft x 24ft. We have 7 chicken s (for now lol) and it is totally covered; run and coop combined. I keep adding to it. 13
Chris and Jillian Dwyer The White Yarrow Inn & Farmette 10 Otoe Place, Manitou Springs, CO 80829 Open: Saturday 12-4 Located a half block South of downtown Manitou Springs, the White Yarrow Inn & Farmette is a property that serves as both the residence for the Dwyer family and the basis for the earth-friendly, community-oriented livelihood they have chosen. The home operated for 25 years as the Two Sisters Bed and Breakfast prior to the Dwyers having purchased it in the summer of 2015. With its small scale, spacious, bird-friendly interior, antipredator design, and playful hobbit door, the coop is a celebration of its six inhabitants. All the wood and hinges of the coop and run were reclaimed from local construction/remodel sites and from the adjoining garage. 14
Shawn and Michelle Gring, The Fractional Farm 4435 Blissful Cir. S., Colorado Springs 80917 Open: Saturday 9-4 My husband built our coop with all reclaimed materials, with help from our kids. They had fun building it, and our chickens enjoy the space and high perches available to them. We currently have Americaunas and Black Marans, who provide us with very colorful eggs, ranging from blue and green to beige and chocolate brown, sometimes speckled with purplish spots! We also have a blind chicken named California, who despite the fencing and bird netting, has managed to Houdini her way out of the chicken yard on a few occasions. See if you can pick her out when you visit our backyard "farm. 15
Kris & Savanna Cassidy 1318 South 25th St. Colorado Springs, 80904 Open: Saturday 12-4/ Sunday 12-4 Our homestead is called Harmony Homestead. We have had 5 chickens for a year. We also have a growing dome, a greenhouse, a vegetable garden, a flower and herb garden, and a small orchard on 1/8th of an acre. 16
Rick & Denny Strong 2812 Sage Street, Colorado Springs, 80907 Open: Saturday 9-4/ Sunday 12-4 We designed and built our chicken coop last July - after attending the chicken coop tour for several years. It was very helpful to see what others did before & what they'd do differently after gaining some experience. The front part of our building is the coop (8x4), which our oldest granddaughter has affectionately named "Poop World". The back part is our shed (8x8). We have 10 chickens who will be 11 mos. old in May. We let them free-range in the yard the majority of the time. They are good layers. We enjoy them immensely. 17
Pilar Umnuss 645 Loomis Ave, Colorado Springs, 80906 Open: Sunday 9-4 Area around chicken coop features mixed use small yard landscaping to include coop, run and yard with zones of edible and decorative plants. Back of yard is next to open field with many predators requiring secure coop and run. When flock is in yard, Great Pyrenees dog Prater is on security patrol. Have often spotted hawks, occasionally owls and a vulture (once); area has resident bobcats and raccoons, visiting coyotes, foxes, mountain lions and bears. Currently have 6 chickens: 3 adults and 3 two month olds. Started chickens last year and we have learned a lot. Having chickens has been mostly fun and always enjoy their entertaining antics. 18
Kelly Gengler 2135 Copley Rd, Colorado Springs, 80920 Open: Saturday 9-4/Sunday 9-4 I have 8 chickens and 3 coops! Coop #1 holds 2 chickens, Coop #2 holds 4-6 chickens and Coop #3 holds 8-12 chickens. 19
Mountain Song Community School 2904 W. Kiowa, Colorado Springs, 80904 * Coop is located in the back of the school. Open: Saturday 9-1 We are Mountain Song Community School in Old Colorado City and we have a new coop! 20
Celeste Sandoval 526 E. Columbia St., Colorado Springs, 80907 Open: Sunday 12-4 Our coop is a fun little replica of our kids custom built playhouse built special just for our flock. It is quite the looker with its custom pallet walls and silver tin roof. A lot of the materials used to build this coop where recycled and re-purposed. The chickens enjoy sitting out on their porch. Playing on their swing and love dust bathing in their tires. Come check it out, meet the family and creator of this masterpiece we would love to have you here. 21
Jessica Barash 2317 W. Bijou St., Colorado Springs, CO 80904 Open: Saturday 9-4/ Sunday 9-1 My coop is a bit of a work in progress but the actual structure is mostly complete. I'd be happy to show my coop- mostly it is unique. *Please Enter thru alley way to see coop! 22
Sandra Buffington 512 W. Pikes Peak Ave., Colorado Springs, 80905 Open: Sunday 9-4 We are fairly new at keeping chickens. Originally we purchased an online coop, but after putting it together and noting how fragile and extremely small it was, we decided to find someone local to build a coop. We found a lady that builds coops out of reclaimed wood, were VERY sturdily built and simply adorable. After acquiring the coop, we had someone build a run secure as Ft Knox to attach to the coop, so that no critters could get to our chickies in the night. We have 4 laying hens and three baby chicks. Every morning they are let out to roam the entire backyard. They love to take dust baths, follow you around, or at times hop on the swing to swing with you. They are quite friendly and will come when called. We love them and they are very much a part of our family. 23
Stay Connected with us! WEBSITE: www.takeapeakcooptour.com FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/takeapeakcooptour EMAIL: takeapeaktour@gmail.com 24