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What is inside your small coop? Any pics?

post #1 of 15
6/13/11 at 3:54pm
Thread Starter 

Our coop is 4X4 and the girls just spent their first night out there last night.  As I'm putting them in with their food and water, I'm wondering how in the heck am I supposed to fit a hanging waterer, hanging feeder, roosts, and a nesting box inside this thing?  My neighbor's coop is even smaller and they don't have roosts at all.  Do chickens need roosts?

We haven't installed the nesting box or the roosts yet, nor do we have a hanging feeder or waterer yet.  I just needed to get them out of their brooder asap because it was getting way too small for my four ladies.  My husband isn't worried about this, but I'm the resident worry wart in the house. 

Does anyone have any pics of the inside of their smallish coops so I could take a peek at them?

In reality, I only have 4 chicks.  RIP Pokey.
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In reality, I only have 4 chicks.  RIP Pokey.
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post #2 of 15
6/13/11 at 4:02pm

Nest boxes
http://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/87534_house_and_chicks_4-25_051.jpg

Roost
http://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/87534_house_and_chicks_4-25050.jpg

Size of hen house
http://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/87534_chicken_coop_and_yard_3-27-11_005.jpg

Girls chillin' in their new digs
http://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/87534_house_and_chicks_4-25_015.jpg

Rest in peace my "puppies", you were loved greatly.
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Rest in peace my "puppies", you were loved greatly.
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post #3 of 15
6/13/11 at 4:04pm

I ended up increasing my coop to 4x6 for those very reasons. From what I have seen, folk who use a 4x4 seem to keep the water and food outside in the run.

http://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/thumbs/94444_dsc02465.jpg

"It is a sometimes appropriate response to reality to go insane." Philip K Dick
Pets: Two Frustrating Little Daughters, One Roller Derby Grrl Wife, 1 3/4 dogs, 2 Spazzy Cats, 4 ridiculous Chickens(RIR, Australorp, EE, and Wellsumer), and 2 Beehives!

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"It is a sometimes appropriate response to reality to go insane." Philip K Dick
Pets: Two Frustrating Little Daughters, One Roller Derby Grrl Wife, 1 3/4 dogs, 2 Spazzy Cats, 4 ridiculous Chickens(RIR, Australorp, EE, and Wellsumer), and 2 Beehives!

"Properly read, the Bible is the most potent force for atheism ever invented." Isaac Asimov

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post #4 of 15
6/13/11 at 4:12pm

With only four chickens you should only need one roost bar and it doesn't have to be big. We have 8 in one coop with four nesting boxes and two roost. They only use two of the nesting boxes and they all cram on to one roost. Probably one or two nesting boxes should be plenty. You can always look at the coop section on BYC. Also with only four you shouldn't need a very big waterer or feeder.

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I believe in miracles! Support St. Jude
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post #5 of 15
6/13/11 at 4:24pm

Thought I already posted it?  Here it is again:  Whttp://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/69877_silkie_chickens_2010_052.jpge have 14 Silkie Chickens

Silkie Chickens Are A Joy
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Silkie Chickens Are A Joy
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post #6 of 15
6/13/11 at 5:21pm

My small coop (roughtly 3 x 4, currently housing 3hens) has 2 nest boxes, 2 roosts, and a ramp down to the tractor.  The feeder hangs below the coop, the water is out at the far end of the little run (3 x 8).  I have to figure out how to get some sort of light and heat into it for winter.  I don't think much else is going to go in there.  If I put anything on the floor, it would get pooped on.

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post #7 of 15
6/13/11 at 5:27pm

[img][/img]http://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/89258_dscn5721.jpg
I still need to find time to install poop boards.  I use stall dry pellets on the floor.  Nesting boxes are covered up due to only 7 weeks old.

1 Daughter, 1 Son, 2 grandchildren, 1 male cockatiel, 3 SLW girls and 6 Buff Orpington girls D.O.B. 4-19-2011  & 1 great wife to put up with birds.
Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops, Then your barns will be filled to overflowing.
Proverbs 3: 9,10
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1 Daughter, 1 Son, 2 grandchildren, 1 male cockatiel, 3 SLW girls and 6 Buff Orpington girls D.O.B. 4-19-2011  & 1 great wife to put up with birds.
Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops, Then your barns will be filled to overflowing.
Proverbs 3: 9,10
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post #8 of 15
6/13/11 at 5:55pm

I have nothing in mine but a roost and a box with shredded paper, which was what was in their brooder. They all cram into the box at night.  The waterer and feeder are in the run.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y85/denwil21/SS850015.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y85/denwil21/DSCI0245.jpg


When I get around to making them, the nest boxes will go on the outside.  I have several months before then.

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Sabian Shepherds*Barred R/Sky's the Limit Rabbitry--Home to Show German Shepherds, Barred Rock Chickens and Standard Rex Rabbits
G-d is able!
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post #9 of 15
6/13/11 at 7:09pm

My small coop is 4 x 5, a bit smaller than that actually, because it's insulated, so more like 17 sq. ft of indoor space.  I have one roost, a dropping board (to save beddiing/floor space), and I added my nest box (elevated 17 inches so it doesn't take up floor space) to the left of the door in the 2nd picture (not in the pic).
http://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/37862_march_11_002.jpg
http://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/37862_march_11_001.jpg

ETA:  I have a small feeder/waterer set on wooden blocks under my dropping board, with a bigger one outside in the run.


Edited by teach1rusl - 6/13/11 at 7:11pm

Caretaker of a lovely mixed flock including: australorp, plymouth rocks, wyandotte, d'uccles, silkies, EEs, andalusian, and a few seramas, plus a golden retriever, great dane, and three cats.
R.I.P. Bear 2010 - "The Best Dog Ever"

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Caretaker of a lovely mixed flock including: australorp, plymouth rocks, wyandotte, d'uccles, silkies, EEs, andalusian, and a few seramas, plus a golden retriever, great dane, and three cats.
R.I.P. Bear 2010 - "The Best Dog Ever"

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post #10 of 15
6/14/11 at 6:39am
Thread Starter 

Thanks so much!  You've all given me some ideas.

In reality, I only have 4 chicks.  RIP Pokey.
Reply
In reality, I only have 4 chicks.  RIP Pokey.
Reply
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BackYard Chickens › BYC Forum › Raising BackYard Chickens › Coop & Run - Design, Construction, & Maintenance › What is inside your small coop? Any pics?