Could I use a dog house for a coop?

[stone_family3]

I am considering making a run (which will be enclosed with chicken wire on all sides) and since I'll only have a few girls using a basic dog house design for a coop, I will make it a bit bigger so there is room for them to move around in there, the roof will be hinged and lift up so I can get the eggs and clean it. Also do they need to have a heat lamp or will grown chickens be able to stay warm on their own? I know I need to keep their water from freezing but other than that will Chickens do fine in Ohio winters without a heat lamp.

This is a pic of the type of dog house
I'll use the size that is for an xl dog (160lbs) Size is Exterior:38"L x 32"W x 32"H with a Door Opening: 14"L x 18"W. How many girls would that hold?

 

[mystang89]

If I've done the math right that will give you about 8.4 sq ft. They say to give a bird 4 sq ft so that would give you enough room for 2 birds. I'm not sure if you plan on putting nesting area in there for them but that takes up a bit more room, then you have roosting, if you want them to roost in there. My math could be wrong, I'm no expert.

 

[ThinkingChickens]

Personally I'd say you'd be fine for three chickens if they have a nice run and some free ranging time. Of course, this is all subjective personal opinion.

 

[ladyride]

I am with mystang that is about enough room for 2 but you still need accessories like roost, bedding . Are you thinking adding nest box to outside ? Food , water outside ?? Wouldn't need a heat lamp they keep each other warm.

 

[hcppam]

2-3 max.

 

[stone_family3]

Well after talking with my DH I've decided it's going to be 4 1/2 ft by 4 1/2 ft or 5ft by 5ft. I have a few milk crates to use as nesting boxes (I made them for my rabbit based on a design for chickens). Food and water will be outside.

They will have a sizable run, so plenty of room to stretch their legs. Also run will have perches for them.

 

[202roosterlane]

Hi, I did something like this. I have a LARGE coop but then I got another breed of chicken.

So I had the 4x10 run space for this breed. I just built the coop and connected it to the coop. It is 4 tall, 4 wide, 4 foot deep. I made the roost about 2 1/2 high and put in 2 nesting boxes made out of new plastic dishwashing pans. I have the wire on the back side half up and will cover it in the winter w/hinge. It is also close enough to the other coop I will add a heat light in the winter. I am in Arkansas so it is not too bad cold in the winter. We get snow in my area about 3 days out of the year.

 

[202roosterlane]

I will eventually add a third nesting box but I really never plan on having more than one roo and 3 hens for this space.

 

[stone_family3]

Thanks to all that replied, I picked up wood today from the pallet place so I'll be able to either make a 4 x4 coop or a 4 x 8 coop. I've not decided what I want to do yet. I do think I'm going to have the front of it drop down instead of the top lift up, just seems better for cleaning.