Dumb coop question!

[crash0330]

Hi, so Ill be getting 11 chickens on saturday, and i know most people have coops for their chickens, but my question is is that really nessesary do chickens really need a coop or can i just keep the on a pen with some boxes for the to lay eggs?
thanks in advance

 

[canada-goose]

You need a coop unless you want pre-frozen/cooked chicken.

Coops are very important.

 

[bigstack]

feathers will keep them warm or cool. but only if dry and out of the rain or wind and sun.

God Bless!

 

[crash0330]

well I live in southern california so the rain and them being cold its not an issue, it does gets extremelly hot down here tho around 120 sometimes, but the have a shade over them and I have them where they only get direct sunlight for about 4 hours and the rest of the day its pretty much shade, I also have a small dog house in there its about 3X2 and 3 high, woulkf that do it?

 

[TNRIRRoo]

Mecca.... That's down around Thermal or over by Indio?

 

[canada-goose]

They need a coop for comfort and safety. We aren't talking about jungle fowl here! A 3X2 doghouse will not protect 11 hens.

You'd better start building!

 

[BriteChicken]

My neighbors don't have a coop but they also keep their 12 chickens in two 6x4 runs with nest boxes on one side and a roof... they can live but not comfortably that's why I'm building mine a tractor. 8x2 coop and 8x8 run HTH's

edit: I'm only keeping 4 by the way because minimum space requires 4sqf Coop and 10sqf Run per chicken

 

[crash0330]

Quote:
Its more towards Thermal, Youre from around here?

 

[Zahboo]

What's your weather like? We don't have a coop really. We have chainlink fences with a tarp/trampoline cover over top with a dog hosue in it. I don't think dog houses would work for 11 though. That's for my bantams. If you don't get strong winds and your temps stay 40+ all year long I think you'd be fine without a 4 sided coop but it's best to be able to lock them safe from predators.

 

[crash0330]

Quote:
Man then I better start today or I wont finish by saturday, Thanks Kooshie