Can you use a large basement window well to make a coop/run?

[vswan]

I have a random question. Could I use the area of my large basement window well to build a coop for 3 chickens? I figure this might be the safest configuration because we have lots of foxes and coyotes in the area. The window well is 10 feet long by 4 feet wide with a height of 6 feet. My main concern is, would they like it.

 

[DobieLover]

I have a random question. Could I use the area of my large basement window well to build a coop for 3 chickens? I figure this might be the safest configuration because we have lots of foxes and coyotes in the area. The window well is 10 feet long by 4 feet wide with a height of 6 feet. My main concern is, would they like it.

Pictures?
How will you clean it out?
How will they access their run?
How will it stay dry?

 

[ColoradoPip]

I think it's a good start for a hoop coop or tractor.

For permanent structure, it would require a lot of work

For a run, it would work but even better as the top of a covered run!

 

[vswan]

We plan to buy an actual coop to place in the area so they can get up off the ground. The window well has a french drain so that it stays fairly dry unless of course it's raining, but the water drains out fairly quickly. We can easily access the area via a ladder or the the windows in the basement to clean out. I will get a pic up soon for you to see.

 

[ColoradoPip]

oh wait, you mean one that's installed? and gets wet? I would say no. But pics could change that!

 

[vswan]

Pictures?
How will you clean it out?
How will they access their run?
How will it stay dry?

 

[vswan]

We need to obviously clean up and replace rock with dirt and grass.

 

[vswan]

Pictures?
How will you clean it out?
How will they access their run?
How will it stay dry?

There is a porch above it that allows light, but doesn't allow much rain to get down there. For reference, our yard, has about a foot of snow cover right now.

 

[tralfaz]

cleanup would be my biggest concern. It's also not big or interesting enough for a run.

 

[DobieLover]

cleanup would be my biggest concern. It's also not big or interesting enough for a run.

It's just not practical. You need to have 4 square feet per bird in the coop and a bare minimum of 10 square feet per bird in the run, more is far better.
You also need to be able to access the birds relatively easily at roost time. You need to be able to clean out the coop.
You cannot do these things from a ladder or from your basement window.
The chickens need to be able to dust bathe, sunbathe, scratch around in the dirt. Living in a coop down in that window well doesn't sound like much of a good life for you or for them.