Coop size

[BigBlueHen53]

Make sure they have some dirt for taking dust baths, too. And when you make your run, you will want to predator proof it.

Absolutely! Dust bathing helps keep them clean. It absorbs and then releases oil and dander from their skin and feathers and may help control mites to an extent, IMO. Note, that last observation is just my opinion, not a scientific assessment. If I'm mistaken I'm sure the many voices of BYC will rise up to correct me! I do know it helps the birds to feel better.

 

[Emmastemarie_1]

Kinda. If your landlord is ok with it, you could remove some of the wall panels on the shed so that it's just the framing and the roof left, and then attach fencing where the walls were. You'd leave some of the wall panels on to serve as the coop.

View attachment 2720122

Like say, all the wall paneling on the side of the shed in the red box, but leaving the other half intact.

ETA: By that side, I mean all three walls (paneling only) of that side of the shed.

But There are actually 2 windows for the coop which I think gives lots of sunlight/ ventilation but I will do anything to make them comfortable

 

[Geckolady]

Absolutely! Dust bathing helps keep them clean. It absorbs and then releases oil and dander from their skin and feathers and may help control mites to an extent, IMO. Note, that last observation is just my opinion, not a scientific assessment. If I'm mistaken I'm sure the many voices of BYC will rise up to correct me! I do know it helps the birds to feel better.

LOL, it looks like you've probably been reading the thread on giving advice, too!

 

[TheAlrightyGina]

That is a good idea. I was thinking I could take off the panels and then

that is a great idea! Do you think that will be enough room?

Should be more than enough by my calculations. The entire shed would be 105 sq ft. You just need at least 20 sq ft for the coop and 40 sq ft for the run, so you've got plenty of wiggle room.

 

[TheAlrightyGina]

But There are actually 2 windows for the coop which I think gives lots of sunlight/ ventilation but I will do anything to make them comfortable

Yeah I wasn't looking too close at it and didn't realize there were windows on both sides, so you should have plenty of ventilation. Just remember they need that ventilation 24/7 so you might should fix the window cover in place to use as a sort of awning.

Edited because typo

 

[BigBlueHen53]

LOL, it looks like you've probably been reading the thread on giving advice, too!

We aims to please!

 

[NatJ]

Hello! I have some questions about the coop we have. Our landlord left a coop/ shed for us and there are windows made out of chicken wire you can open. It’s roughly 15 ft length and 7 ft width. We have no run for them to have, so Is it ok for 4 chickens to only live in the coop with no run? In my opinion I think the coop is so big they will be fine, but I need more opinions since I have never had chickens. Thanks! (Here is a picture of the coop I know it has to be cleaned)

They should be fine.

Common advice is 4 square feet of space per chicken in the coop, and 10 square feet of chicken in the run (or skip the coop measurement, if they live in the "run" all the time.)

So 4 chickens would need 40 square feet of run.
The building is 15 x 7 = 105 square feet, which is more than big enough.

And those two giant windows should provide plenty of fresh air and ventilation.

So after you get it cleaned out, check for anywhere that predators might be able to get in, and then it should be great for 4 chickens!

 

[Kellow1]

Hello! I have some questions about the coop we have. Our landlord left a coop/ shed for us and there are windows made out of chicken wire you can open. It’s roughly 15 ft length and 7 ft width. We have no run for them to have, so Is it ok for 4 chickens to only live in the coop with no run? In my opinion I think the coop is so big they will be fine, but I need more opinions since I have never had chickens. Thanks! (Here is a picture of the coop I know it has to be cleaned)

You will need windows on all four sides, cover each with hardware cloth as chicken wire is for keeping chickens IN, not predators OUT! Your chickens will need to get some sunshine, it would no be good to be cooped up all the time.

 

[MagnoliaMama]

Can you remove some of the siding on the shed and replace it with hardware cloth to give your girls a run? Even if it has a concrete floor, you can put a deep layer of pine shavings over it and give your girls room to roam in fresh air.

Chicken wire can let vermin (rats, mice, snakes) enter your coop/run and raccoons have been known to grab a chicken through the openings in chicken wire.

 

[IVRN]

Ok, we will provide a run

hey! I used 7$ 10 foot T posts, a huge package of zipties and Chicken wire to
erect a run around the coop. I nailed together some 1x4 to make a door and used a staple gun to staple
Chicken wire to the wood. I used extra large zip ties for hinges and attached it to a t post and a bungee cord to hold it shut against another t post. I only let them use this during the day and they coop
up securely at night. But it was very easy to do but time consuming because I did a really big one. It would keep the cats and dogs out (mine does) and you only “need” 4x10 tho bigger is always better.
But if I can build one anyone can lol