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[SHELLY556]

Hello! I am completely new to chickens. We live in south Texas. My husband encouraged me to pursue getting chickens. I have them ordered from McMurray, and should be here the end of May. So from the delivery and brooding, I’m thinking I have until June to get them in a coop.
We live on a little more than an fenced acre, and they will have free range during the day. They will be cooped for night time. What do I need to look for? Looking online is so confusing, there are so many to pick from. I would prefer something prefab, but not real expensive.
So my questions are these.... Will they need a run, or just a coop for night? If weather is bad (rain/storm) will they need to be cooped during the storm? I’m just not real sure how “tough” they are. Will they come back to the coop for water during the day, or do I provide water else where?
These are a couple of coops I found online that I liked, but I’m not sure about the ventilation for south Texas nights. It can be anywhere from the 60s to 70s at night, 80s.....occasionally. Please tell me what you think, and any advice or suggestions, will be greatly appreciated!


www.chickensaloon.com/products/rambler

www.chickencoopcompany.com/collections/chicken-coop-designs/products/orpington-lodge-hen-house-only

 

[OF65]

They will come as baby chicks. They will need a small place first with a heat lamp and protection from cats, dogs, snakes,hawks and owls. If you have consistent warm weather they go outside sooner. But they need protection. Food and water before them all the time is a must. Are you in an ant prone area? You need to prepare against them. But you will love your babies. Read all you can. Storey puts out a commendable book. Welcome on board and read on the forums , lots of info there.

 

[rosemarythyme]

First off how many chickens are you getting? Prefabs are generally a lot tinier and flimsier than you think and can't hold the amount of chickens they claim. The recommended minimum on here is 4 sq ft per chicken, that's open floor space, not including nest boxes which often get added in with measurements. Recommended ventilation minimum is 1 sq ft per chicken.

The top coop you linked is probably enough room comfortably for 3 standard hens, for example.

That said I'm not entirely against prefabs, it let's say you're not sure if chickens will be right for you and don't want to commit to a large coop right away, a prefab should be okay a year or two (I currently have 3 chickens in a prefab with a new coop 5x larger parked next to it!) But because most prefabs are small it does limit how many chickens you can have.

If you're free ranging a run isn't a must have but it's still a good idea in case you're having a predator issue and need to shut them in for a few days, or are having stuff done around the property where you don't want chickens getting in the way, etc.

Don't worry about cooping the chickens during normal inclement weather, they can decide for themselves if the rain is too heavy or snow is too much, etc.

 

[SHELLY556]

They will come as baby chicks. They will need a small place first with a heat lamp and protection from cats, dogs, snakes,hawks and owls. If you have consistent warm weather they go outside sooner. But they need protection. Food and water before them all the time is a must. Are you in an ant prone area? You need to prepare against them. But you will love your babies. Read all you can. Storey puts out a commendable book. Welcome on board and read on the forums , lots of info there.

Yes we have fire ants, but do treat for them almost year round. But thanks for pointing that out! They will be in the house before I move them outside. I have read a lot about the babies and brooding, I’m just stuck on the coop.

 

[SHELLY556]

First off how many chickens are you getting? Prefabs are generally a lot tinier and flimsier than you think and can't hold the amount of chickens they claim. The recommended minimum on here is 4 sq ft per chicken, that's open floor space, not including nest boxes which often get added in with measurements. Recommended ventilation minimum is 1 sq ft per chicken.

The top coop you linked is probably enough room comfortably for 3 standard hens, for example.

That said I'm not entirely against prefabs, it let's say you're not sure if chickens will be right for you and don't want to commit to a large coop right away, a prefab should be okay a year or two (I currently have 3 chickens in a prefab with a new coop 5x larger parked next to it!) But because most prefabs are small it does limit how many chickens you can have.

If you're free ranging a run isn't a must have but it's still a good idea in case you're having a predator issue and need to shut them in for a few days, or are having stuff done around the property where you don't want chickens getting in the way, etc.

Don't worry about cooping the chickens during normal inclement weather, they can decide for themselves if the rain is too heavy or snow is too much, etc.

I ordered the 15 minimum. Orpingtons and Wyandottes and 3 Silver Spangled Hamburgs. I can add a run or pen to a coop that I order. On the coop, does it matter if you go bigger, out or is up just as beneficial when talking size?

 

[rosemarythyme]

You're not going to find a prefab to hold 15 without spending $$$. I'd recommend a shed that you can modify into a coop, something around 60 sq ft floor space or more. That would also let you walk in easily to clean up which is a massive benefit.

 

[SHELLY556]

What about two coops, maybe just until we see if we want to do this years too come. Will chickens divide up into more than one coop?

 

[rosemarythyme]

Some people do have multiple coops, I'm not sure how well that works but hopefully someone will pipe in that has experience with that.

 

[Ruralhideaway]

If potential resale in case you don't love owning chickens is a concern you'd likely do better with a shed. Prefab coops, and you'd likely need 3 for 15 large breeds, may well be falling apart after a few years. Just one possible consideration. Some are much sturdier but expensive of course.

Remember that's 4 square feet floor space each inside, not in the run, where the recommendation is 10sq ft each. Height matters but doesn't amount to extra floor space. Prefab coops that are labeled for 4-5 birds typically can only handle 2. Crowding too often causes picking at each other that can lead to cannibalism.

 

[OF65]

Poison for the ants or something else? Will the chicks be in that area? If you have a coop on legs you would need to set the eggs in oil or something so the ants can not get in your coop. Likewise that the chicks can not get into the deterrent. You might want to check with your county agent on best protection and coop build to prevent ant invasion.