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How many standard hens in this coop?

post #1 of 7
3/12/12 at 7:18am
Thread Starter 

We were going to build a coop for the hens we will be getting, but with so many other things to do here on the farm we have to keep our priorities straight. I found this coop http://richmond.craigslist.org/grd/2876823630.html for $150. It says 5 chickens...which seems like a lot of chicken in a little house. I want to get 2-4 hens to start out with. They will be out in a 10x10 run during the day with some supervised foraging outside of the run.

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post #2 of 7
3/12/12 at 7:24am

Yes, that is a tiny coop.  I would get no more than three.  Two would probably be better, but if you have a 10x10 run, then three hen swould be OK, as they usually stay in the coop to lay eggs, or sleep at night. 

 

Sharon

Proud owner of some nice show quality Buckeyes and Silver Penciled Plymouth Rocks.  I love gardening and being outdoors.  I'm lucky to have a great family, and two cute dogs.  I live out in the country on six wooded acres and it's just paradise!  (Except the mortgage payment and bills, of course)

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Proud owner of some nice show quality Buckeyes and Silver Penciled Plymouth Rocks.  I love gardening and being outdoors.  I'm lucky to have a great family, and two cute dogs.  I live out in the country on six wooded acres and it's just paradise!  (Except the mortgage payment and bills, of course)

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post #3 of 7
3/12/12 at 7:29am
Thread Starter 

How about a 4x4 coop?

We have an old coop that is in need of some major TLC..and siding, hardware cloth, roost bars, nesting boxes etc. Trying to figure out which will cost less, buy a little coop, or fix up the old one. The old one is HUGE! So no need to worry about fitting 4 hens in there. It is about 8x14'.

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post #4 of 7
3/12/12 at 9:15am

I would fix up the old one!

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post #5 of 7
3/12/12 at 11:01am
Thread Starter 

The big problem ( I think) with the old coop, is that It is behind our barn and I think it stays too cold back there in the winter. It is in shade 100% of the time. The chickens my parents had wwhen I was little seemed to fare fine I guess so maybe it isnt as bad as I think. I took some pics of the old coop and will try to post when I figure out how to get it off my phone.

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post #6 of 7
3/12/12 at 11:40am

I am guessing the coop might be back there just to get the shade.  

 

Chickens handle cold much better than they handle heat.

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post #7 of 7
3/14/12 at 9:14am
Thread Starter 

0312121120a.jpg0312121120c.jpg0312121120b.jpgThinking about going with the old coop. I checked the mejasurements, it is actually 6x14, 5.5' tall in back and 8' in front...Plenty big enough for my 2-4 hens..which is more likely going to be 4-6 hens now. Still need to figure out cost for fixing it up. Everything but the bones of it needs replaced..the roof is ok, and all the framing looks ok..the siding is mostly gone, not even reusable. I think the floors might work, will prob see about getting some linoleum for the floor anyways.0312121120.jpg

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