do i realy need a coop...?

[ariel2222]

Hello! My name is Eric I'm 17 yo and I want to start raising chickens for eggs in a house we just move into. I dont have any problems with the contraction part, i'm pretty handy, if I may say... I plan on fensing 16X16 feet for a run for about 5-7 chickens.
I just have a question... Do I really need a coop? I live in a please that the minimum temperature at night get to no less then 50 F.
Cant I just build nest boxs and roosts? They will be under a roof that i will build.
possible?

 

[joan1708]

predators?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

A coop is protection from predators and rain. Cold isn't really an issue unless they get wet but EVERYTHING likes the taste of chicken.

Do you have any of these animals in your area? https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=261440

 

[indi]

Hi Im new to chicken keeping too and as far as I know you will need a coop. There are several reasons, some chickens are intolerant to drafts and wet weather. Also chickens (as you probably know) have many predators and a coop will protect them from some! Also there is a certain amount of pride when you build (or in my case get your dad to) a coop and inviting your friends over to see it, and be like "I totally built that!"
Enjoy your chickens, how many and what breed???

 

[beardiemom]

Think how badly you will feel if something got in and hurt them. It could be a cat, a dog, a raccoon, a fox, a person. You don't say where you live, but if you sleep in a house, then your animals should also have a place to sleep safely.

If you are handy, go ahead and make one. It doesn't have to be fancy or expensive, just safe. Good wire mesh so that nothing can reach in or break in.

 

[HEChicken]

Rain, wind, a place they feel safe laying their eggs (without a coop they'll lay under any bush or other place they deem safe and every day will be an easter egg hunt), a place to keep your feed and water where it can be kept clean (rain getting into feed = not good).

And then there are predators. Depending on where you are those could be wild (raccoons, coyotes etc.) or even just the dogs next door.

 

[AlienChick]

You don't NEED a coop.
We just like to have coops to keep our chickens safe from possible predators and shield them from the elements.
In the wild, of course, birds do not have coops and are at the mercy of what-may-be.
Since we've paid for these chickens and they are our pets or our livestock, we want to keep them safer than they would be if left out in the wild.
I know people who do not use a coop; they just provide a sort of open shelter so the birds can come in out of the harsh weather if they want to. They do lose some to predators, but they have 100's of chickens.
It's your decision to find what works best for your situation.

Enjoy your chickens!!!

 

[Desta]

Quote:
Hi,

In answer to your question, I will echo what the others say; a coop is necessary if you would like to protect your birds from predators.

I too live in a place where Winters are not very cold (Peoria, Arizona) and my coop is a simple but sturdily built plywood frame with wire mesh surrounding it on all sides, with overlaying wooden lattice for decoration. I found large, decently thick plastic roofing to cover over it in case of rain, and that has been sufficient for years. Attached to that structure is a run built from the same material, also surrounded by wire mesh; that has no roof at all. It was very easy and quick to build, and was up and ready for use in two days of on-and-off working on it. If you would like an illustrated coop plan to better understand what I'm describing, I'd be happy to draw a quick diagram in Photoshop for you.

 

[ariel2222]

thank you all for the fast replays!
predators aren't really a problem. It's pretty urban and only dogs could be a problem. I do of course plan on fensing the parimeter, and even dig the fens in to the ground. my main problem with the coop is lack of materiels... all the money I have for this project will have to go on actually buying the chickens. I do have some timber... what is the minimum size i need..?

 

[TheSpiceGirls]

Not to mention that hens like a safe, dark, quiet space to lay their eggs. Nest boxes in a house are ideal for this.