Easing the mind

[SheeReno]

Hey all, we just moved the 6 week old Special Agent Fitzhugh into our "coop". We're currently using an old rabbit cage as the coop itself. We only have three chickens, but questions are basically, will there be enough room for them and a nesting box? And also, it gets awfully hot here in the valley, so is the open-air-cage a good idea? We could put in "walls" during the winter if need be I suppose.

 

[GardeNerd]

I used a rabbit hutch as a brooder and then a tractor. I am in the coastal L.A. area. We don't get that cold where I live so cold weather wasn't a regular big problem. During the cold weather I would throw a heavy blanket over it at night to keep them warm, rather than add fully enclosed walls. There were times it was moved into the garage when the chicks were really little for added warmth.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=20741-recycled-tractor

I opened the floor to accommodate a ladder from underneath. I added a couple of doors and other wire framed panels on the bottom. It worked well until the 6 chickens were about 8 to 10 weeks old. Once they were fully grown it only held two comfortably at a time, and that was with the added bottom section.

If yours free range when they are older during the day, you might be okay space wise for just two. They will want something to roost on. I originally used an old broom handle for the purpose, then I built a roost with walls around it for the top. They will also need a nest box when they are getting closer to laying.