Coop problem

[Cupcake1243]

Hi all! When we purchased our three hens back in April we only bought a small coop big enough for them but now we are getting two new ones (one of our first set died) and since they are from different places we were wondering what size coop or brand of coop would best to fit four hens inside. It would need to be big enough for them all to have room if needs be and an upstairs to lay.
Thanks!

 

[featheredplanets]

You should aim for a 16sqft coop, e.g 4x4ft, but if you think you want more in future, bigger is better! Prefabs are never big enough for more than 1 or 2 chickens, so you’re probably best finding a 2nd hand coop, converting a shed or building your own.

 

[OreoH]

I don't think too many commercial brand chicken coops are really big enough for anything over 2 hens. Instead, I bought a commercial chicken coop (the type with a "run" attached) and nailed wooden boards over the mesh, leaving only air vents. I also folded straw and hay in between so I could take out the hay and change it when necessary. So the commercial coop was turned into just the hen house and we attached a run outside. Would this work?

 

[OreoH]

Sorry and to add on these usually come with two nesting boxes, which is enough for at least six hens. Mine has droppings boards as well and two roosts. While I had to get creative cleaning the bottom level the top and nesting boxes were super easy.

 

[Gallinarium]

Even if you have no prior experience in building, it's easy to build a coop. Just make a plywood box, cut out a human sized section and a chicken -sized section and add hinges and locks. Add plexiglass windows. Cut out vents and put hardware cloth over them. Add nesting boxes. Put tin on the roof. Add a 2 by 4 roost. Call it good.
The recommended coop space is at least four square feet per bird. So you need at least sixteen square feet. Bigger is better.

 

[Cupcake1243]

You should aim for a 16sqft coop, e.g 4x4ft, but if you think you want more in future, bigger is better! Prefabs are never big enough for more than 1 or 2 chickens, so you’re probably best finding a 2nd hand coop, converting a shed or building your own.

thank you for ur advice!!!

 

[Cupcake1243]

I don't think too many commercial brand chicken coops are really big enough for anything over 2 hens. Instead, I bought a commercial chicken coop (the type with a "run" attached) and nailed wooden boards over the mesh, leaving only air vents. I also folded straw and hay in between so I could take out the hay and change it when necessary. So the commercial coop was turned into just the hen house and we attached a run outside. Would this work?

oki thx will try to keep this in mind

 

[Cupcake1243]

Even if you have no prior experience in building, it's easy to build a coop. Just make a plywood box, cut out a human sized section and a chicken -sized section and add hinges and locks. Add plexiglass windows. Cut out vents and put hardware cloth over them. Add nesting boxes. Put tin on the roof. Add a 2 by 4 roost. Call it good.
The recommended coop space is at least four square feet per bird. So you need at least sixteen square feet. Bigger is better.

ok thx not so good at all that DIY stuff but thanks!

 

[Cupcake1243]

Ok guys, thank you for all your helpful comments!! Will update everyone soon on what we decided to go for

 

[CrazyChicken Lady]

Always plan for more chickens, so make sure you get a coop that will fit possible future chickens.