Feeding and watering

[Horsedoglover]

Ok thank you!

 

[Stephine]

I would advocate for vertical over horizontal nipples, because they are easier to drink from - there is no spring to push against and the water flows more easily. Still, in 100 degree heat nipple waterers are not enough. Any temperature that makes your chickens pant (depending on the chicken that can start at 83 or so, definitely over 90) will mke it harder to drink feom a nipple for them - they really need a bowl or cup waterer at that point, something they can dip their beaks into. Also in those temperatures they beed to be in a shady run with the possibilty to dig holes to lie in, probably a mister to cool the air down for them, changes of water during the day because they won't drink warm water, etc... If you can rig a cup waterer to a source of running water,that might work, otherwise, I think, forget it. In the winter, of course, this set up will freeze, so you need to come up with a different solution for winter.
You definitely don't want fewer than 3 chickens, they are flock animals and just having two is not great - if one dies or gets sick and beeds to be isolated the other will be all alone and stressed, making it more susceptible to illness...
Having a roomy coop and run will go a long way to avoiding problems down the road.
It sounds like your circumstances make it hard for you to provide properly for your chickens and if I were you I would reconsider getting them or make sure I had a reliable person to care for them (and is not afraid to catch and hold a chicken or clean up a poop board) when I am gone.

 

[Horsedoglover]

They would have dirt and the run will go under the coop. I am gone for five days every other week and 2 days otherwise. I also plan on getting an insulated coop and maybe install a fan. In one of the vents. Maybe if my coop is big enough ill try both vertical and horizontal.

 

[Stephine]

They would have dirt and the run will go under the coop. I am gone for five days every other week and 2 days otherwise. I also plan on getting an insulated coop and maybe install a fan. In one of the vents. Maybe if my coop is big enough ill try both vertical and horizontal.

In those temperatures the run would have to be watered down every day to provide cooler spots under the coop. An insulated coop will not be of much use. A coop needs to have a lot of ventilation (1sqf per chicken is a good guideline) and the air exchange will assure that the coop is approximately the same temperature as the outside.
A fan does not reduce the temperature below the outside temperature either. Since chickens don't sweat it will not cool them beyond that.
As far as livestock is concerned chickens are relatively easy to keep, but they still do need a good set up for the environment they are put in and a fair amount of care. And as I said, in the heat any nipple waterers will be useless, in below freezing temperatures as well.

 

[lazy gardener]

I strongly advise you against that coop, no matter how few birds you intend to put in it. The general recommendation for a back yard flock is: 4 s.f. in the coop, and 10 s.f. in the run PER BIRD. With your wild temperature swings between summer and winter, that coop is simply too small. There is not enough head room in the coop for the birds to safely roost without coming in contact with the ceiling above them, and with the wall behind them, both of which will make them very prone to frost bite. There is only a very tiny window for ventilation. You need good ventilation in at least 2 places to allow good cross draft. That window will place birds in it's direct path as they roost. Good ventilation is required even in the winter. The coop/run is less than 2' wide according to the specs. Perfect set up for aggression issues including blood shed, and possibly cannibalism. The lack of head room in both coop and run area will make it essentially impossible to provide enough bedding in either area to meet the needs of the flock, and to maintain basic sanitation.

For the same amount of money, you can build a much larger coop/run which will be adequate to meet the needs of a small flock.