Here is a list of products and techniques that I have learned over the last 5 years of dense urban chicken keeping. If you have any questions feel free to reach out.
The Coop
I hand built my coop with these plans. https://drive.google.com/file/d/12l_8xJ4wmKjqoSAONiKZ9X75wbu-NkZ2/view?usp=sharing
If you don’t have the skills or want to build it yourself just remember to get one that is easy to clean out at waist height. If I were to buy one, I would purchase one that is made of plastic. Plastic coops are easy to clean and naturally mite resistant. Here is one to consider.
https://www.omlet.us/shop/chicken_keeping/eglu-cube-large-chicken-coop-with-runs/
A automatic door is a must have to your set up. You can program it to open when the sun comes out and close when the sun goes down using a photo eye. Chickens naturally hide when it gets dark so you don’t to let them out or pack them up in the evening. They will do it on their own. Here is the one I use.
https://www.omlet.us/smart-automatic-chicken-coop-door-opener/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=404899116&gbraid=0AAAAAD8sH4j2YiHjN6sHVrgTcBD7LS2oI&gclid=Cj0KCQjw_rPGBhCbARIsABjq9ceAgkUxBMlMAeCJSmmfV7svxxTtX83juolIZNjRoGhEvZT1w5BS4bsaAuqrEALw_wcB
In the winter i do use panel heaters, but only during a below 0 event. I like panel heaters because most other heaters will cause fires. I have been using these for years.
https://www.chewy.com/cozy-products-flat-panel-chicken-coop/dp/169444?utm_source=google-product&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=22434286072&utm_content=&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22424245605&gbraid=0AAAAADmQ2V38ydo24FhzR3ygCF2lMxbQF&gclid=Cj0KCQjw_rPGBhCbARIsABjq9cfLnByMYgt1Dyl8AS9nO-Prpi-yvWwNFe75pvp3BiBSSem_4ovEQsoaAi3eEALw_wcB
When i constructed the coup I installed a temperature controlled fan that kicks on when it gets past 85 degrees. I can get stuffy and too hot at night and this moves the air out and fresh air in.
https://www.amazon.com/VEVOR-Shutter-Exhaust-Fan-Temperature/dp/B0C7GFLGCQ/ref=sr_1_23?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.GCZ2BZq5uOqSVtbqFQKJAJDYz-QEiVhxTvvZWbhWtg9-5xu3ilE260UuqJ2_PEni_hfUOfGHpZEQYrmCABmr6xqyyXzXXpel6fuj0pR_bl30npIqBrWkSIw2UHKSNMHOLGrR2_quz4FAjrScizMlXRuoxYGKCEJVnbTUK7pH2Lf8Abh0zC58X75y24yAe4oYutOx_gsbf5l_DGe93sLvpf8rMgCBo9KgG8wuCmdlKING5WjeV5lzlYLvBnjLeXy6LDXfYuTs3c1g7-1nEhvD6ccALhU5hwYA8igG6tZMA74.ot1esuSEmmFwPPZrqD1i2femSrLVsbb2JkypREVQCIk&dib_tag=se&hvadid=693929027518&hvdev=c&hvexpln=67&hvlocphy=9021723&hvnetw=g&hvocijid=2926810302948465133--&hvqmt=b&hvrand=2926810302948465133&hvtargid=kwd-300268776398&hydadcr=13895_13379836&keywords=exhaust%2Bfan%2Bwith%2Bthermostat%2Bcontrol&mcid=9e0b644279e13c3f8752ceabd14d11f2&qid=1758323064&sr=8-23&th=1
Feed and Water
For reference I have 6 full size chickens and during egg season I go through around 2 50 pound bags of feed a month. During the off egg season I go through 1. The feeder I use is the Grandpa feeder.
https://grandpasfeeders.com/?srsltid=AfmBOorTAdLP9v3D8Ox2oqd8sn9f47XUgyfQwL5gmRuWvAn_X7kBwhwF
I use this feeder because open feeders attract rats and they end up eating all the feed. This feeder takes a little learning curve for the chickens, but they figure it out. The large feeder only needs to be filled once a week to feed 6 chickens. The waterer that I use is this one.
https://www.chewy.com/farm-innovators-heated-poultry/dp/279944?utm_source=google-product&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=22434286072&utm_content=&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22424245605&gbraid=0AAAAADmQ2V38ydo24FhzR3ygCF2lMxbQF&gclid=Cj0KCQjw_rPGBhCbARIsABjq9ccyegfffiaJPLSJfGvgqsUF3nacMedYwIRyhjARF8-4rqqI7beqErUaAip0EALw_wcB
I use 2 of them for six chickens and change the water weekly. I like it because it has a warmer for the winter and the nipple system keeps the water from getting dirty. I also like to give them some extra snacks every day like fruit and vegetable scraps and meal worms. These are treats and should not be the main food for them. Adult chickens should have access to oyster shells which gives them additional calcium for egg production and for digestion.
Flies and Rats Management
The grandpa feeder goes a long way to keep rats away. The only other thing rats are after is the waste. I usually clean the yard and the coop once a week to keep them away. To combat the rats about once every few months I look for rat holes around my yard and the neighbors yard. When I find them I cover the holes and put a bunch of dry ice in the hole. The dry ice fills the cavity with CO2, sinks to the bottom, and smothers them. Flies can be managed in a variety of ways. When you design the yard try to not have all of the run in direct sunlight. Cleaning the yard once a week in the summer is a must. I also use fly predators once a month and animal safe lime after a good sweep.
https://www.spalding-labs.com/fly-predators?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=fly_predators((GAds)(cp=FlyPredators)(ag=Exact)(kw=fly%20predators))&affiliate-key=GASRC&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=1163388463&gbraid=0AAAAAD_toMi57ENwLlI5fGE3rC23tOFNx&gclid=Cj0KCQjw_rPGBhCbARIsABjq9cfOHz7_SQ7s9IlnynhHE9Mqxj1jguUvIY5yhFOuAFzD-2fjb1RVHY8aAiZKEALw_wcB
https://firstsaturdaylime.com/
Yard Construction
You should give them as much room as you can, but understand that they will destroy anything in that space. They like to dig and explore anything they can get their beaks on. You should add enrichment like roosts and toys so they have stuff to do. I like to section off different parts of my yard for them, linking them with a chicken fence tunnel for access.
https://www.vevor.com/metal-chicken-coop-c_10940/vevor-chicken-tunnels-118-1-x-28-x-24-2-inch-lxwxh-chicken-tunnels-for-yard-portable-chicken-tunnels-for-outside-easy-installation-chicken-coop-run-suitable-for-chickens-ducks-rabbits-p_010135080498?adp=gmc&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_id=21856097459&ad_group=168308318046&ad_id=719231127347&utm_term=&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21856097459&gbraid=0AAAAACq8bLXdlo0dPbGSACsDaRNU09Sj1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw_rPGBhCbARIsABjq9cfzZLpucNqJ0tRKwq3Ef71qogGAKifPyAg-ypD11zG53CYAQqZjxYgaApdbEALw_wcB
It creates different safe places for them to hang out and gives me space to have a garden and manage what they have access to. Be aware of predators in your area and fence them accordingly. They like to have a safe place to hang out. You also want to have a space for them to dust bath. I add food grade diatomaceous earth to their dirt bath to help kill parasites about once a month.
https://www.amazon.com/Diatomaceous-Earth-Food-Grade-10/dp/B00025H2PY/ref=sr_1_6_pp?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.ax_C02TTeVcq5CP1ZjNYhXE9Lz7yyOY2VYiDGlAwllfg7D05lWTXfeAlLXp3CjIYOLWz04xZ39srs3EJqSTFb_ZjNxyrl2suCkKHGh0scc-D9zMMvlFRA9E9tmgNnAf2_9_pyUgWNA_16o1QGVFB7e8N4AuJK_sFowBoVYy3VDgQ8YYWVf-781LTHR1o6zDe9d-UXfmA87QnuJ5tp2At7IMlIw0tsUop_L83b2ztHqYBUB4AQvXll0R6kYfijQ7bmSz2TuEt4TycGjP40Vumx09E6FLQARg3wdescTkVpPw.IggBSFX9Y2UCLY70qguD4OizHW1e585fCsdU_jazAhY&dib_tag=se&hvadid=694358414379&hvdev=c&hvexpln=67&hvlocphy=9021723&hvnetw=g&hvocijid=13120646842707286865--&hvqmt=e&hvrand=13120646842707286865&hvtargid=kwd-312893164759&hydadcr=24657_13626628&keywords=diatomaceous-earth&mcid=6fd32864ae793e23915f09bb892a15ab&qid=1758288339&sr=8-6
General
Don’t get overwhelmed, chicken keeping is very low maintenance once you have a set up. I spend about 20 to 30 minutes a week maintaining them. They are self-sufficient, funny, and often affectionate creatures. During egg season I get about 2 and half dozen fresh eggs a week from 6 chickens (older hens). You will not save money by keeping chickens, but they are worth keeping for many other reasons. Understanding where your food is coming from and companionship just to name a few. They can be great with kids, they don’t need to be walked and you can go on vacation and not need to board them. There are also lots of different kinds of chickens with different feathers and egg colors. Let me know if you have any other questions.