Can a coop be too big?

[Tortoise]

I'm only going to have 2 hens, 3 if I have too.
I'm still debating on what I want to do for a coop.
At the moment I'm looking at an approx. 7x7x8H Rubbermaid plastic shed. I'm in Chicago, cold snowy winters. Don't plan on heating. Is this too big for 2-3 hens to stay warm?
With only a couple hens should I heat it?

 

[WhiteWyan]

1. No, definitely can't be too big, as long as there is adequate ventilation and adequate roost space.
2. I've found most storage sheds don't have adequate ventilation. Unless you want to add some windows yourself.

 

[Cayuga momma]

Ventilation is the key. I have a 10x10x15 ft shed. I'm still cutting ventilation holes/windows. Worst case scenario, I can just cover up any ventilation holes/windows if it's too many and they get cold. Just makes sure that they aren't on the same level as the roosts and nesting boxes. You don't want direct airflow hitting them.
I cut mine 1ft above their roost atleast.

Hope this helps

 

[Tortoise]

I will have to add more vents and will probably add a small window or two.
There will be 2 long roosts, one round, one square/flat.
Also 2 nest boxes.
I thought having so few, that their own heat wouldn't be enough for that size shed, compared to say 6-8 hens.

 

[WhiteWyan]

I think the idea that chickens stay warm by shared body heat is a myth. The true threat of winter is frostbite, which comes from moisture + freezing temps... moisture from respiration + poor ventilation = frostbite.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Growing up on Tennessee I saw chickens sleeping in trees when it never warmed up above zero Fahrenheit for several days straight. That was brutal, we were not used to that kind of cold. Those chickens were not sleeping on a bare tree branch overlooking a bluff squawking defiantly into the teeth of a blizzard, they were in a sheltered valley in a thicket, pretty well protected from wind. They did not sleep in a huddle keeping each other warm, they relied on their insulated feathers to do that. I will point out that they had great ventilation.

You do not need to give your chickens a warm place. You need to give your chickens a place where they can keep themselves warm. You do that by keeping them dry (good ventilation is important in this) and giving then a place that does not turn into a wind tunnel where they are. There are different ways to do this but the way I like is to have ventilation above where they sleep. That way any wind goes right over them.

I don't know what that shed looks like, doors or windows. It is unlikely to have any real ventilation up high and unlikely to have any roof overhang so you can just cut holes and cover with hardware cloth to keep out predators. You might consider gable vents with louvers or, if the roof is strong enough, a roof vent.

In addition to ventilation and a run, you will need to install a nest, roosts, and you probably want a pop door. That is a small chicken-sized door they can go in and out while leaving the human door closed. That helps keep rain and wind out of the coop. That shed is probably going to be pretty expensive and will not come with a run. In your position I'd consider looking at the coops in the Articles tab above and select one you like. Many of them have plans and instructions. Then get a quote from a handyman to build one for you. You may find out that the finished product will suit you better and maybe not all that expensive in comparison.

Good luck!

 

[Tortoise]

I have looked at thousands of coops. Been going back and forth between coop shed. Being in Chicago, supply and labor is not cheap. I even have a fairly cheap handyman, but not that cheap.
We/I am thinking shed as it will be useable when/if we no longer have chickens. I like the plastic for cleaning/spray down, no rot and less wood for mites, etc. With some silicone and screws, anything can be added. The shed is under 400 deliveredOOPS, wrong shed lol. ITS UNDER 600. We have to put it together. It has a vent up high, but A couple more vents will be added and a window or two and I likely will be around 700 or less. No run, but most runs I have seen that come with coops are small. I was planning another run even if the coop came with one.
Pricing a 4x8x4 coop we would build will cost over 2 hundred for only the plywood and 2x4's.

 

[aart]

Short answer to thread title question is....No.
Reasons have been well explained above.

You'll be very glad of any 'extra' space to move around and store feed and supplies when that ChiTown wind is screaming in January.

Some of those plastic sheds are pretty sturdy,
tho can be tricky to cut and make attachments.