How many chickens in a Chick-N-Hutch?

[michickenwrangler]

About four weeks ago I got pullet 4 chicks, 2 dominiques, 2 barred rocks. We don't want a large or elaborate coop so we bought a Ware Chick-N-Hutch. I originally only wanted 3 chickens, I bought an extra because I figured one would die one way or another. Well, all four are hearty and hale and I was wondering if anyone thinks if four adult hens would fit in the hutch. I was considering getting another, putting two hens in each. Need advice and opinions please. We have a 12 x 12 run and they will only go inside at night.

 

[cajunlizz]

Quote:
How big is the hutch ? do you have apicture of it ?

as far as the 12x12 run , that is plenty big enough for 4 chickens...... How old are they NOW ?

 

[Chirpy]

The general rule of thumb for standard breeds is 4 sq. feet per inside space. That means for your four chickens you should have at least 16 sq. feet of inside space. I am a HUGE advocate for having more space than you need so the chickens don't get stressed if they have to be locked inside for a day or two or...

The general rule of thumb for the outside run space is 10 sq. feet per chicken so your outside space is great.

 

[fullhouse]

I would use it for 2 at most personally. They are pretty small.

ETA: For NE MI that is not going to be OK for winter unless it's in a good barn.

 

[ticks]

I am using the chick-n-hutch right now for 5, they only roost in it and will nest in it. Until I get my big huge coop.

 

[FrontPorchIndiana]

I have one that I plan to use for an extra pen when I need to separate somebody. I wouldn't keep more than two full grown birds in there for any length of time. But if you have it attached to a run so they can come and go as they please and are only using it as a roost, you could use it for four.

I also agree with the other poster that you won't be able to winter them over in it. Way too cold in your area.

 

[michickenwrangler]

We have two ideas for winter, one would be to stack straw bales around it and then to place a tarp over the top and sides, or to move them into our mudroom if the weather gets frigid. The mudroom is insulated and is usually about 20 degrees warmer than outside.

We're alo thinking of converting the old horse trailer (horse type, not stock type) into a coop, but it's a tall "warmblood" style trailer and I'm afraid there will be too much height.

 

[Dawn419]

You can see a pic of the Chick-N-Hutch here:

http://www.waremfginc.com/products.asp?p=01490


We have Ware's Rabbit Hutch and use it to break our broody hens.

I don't think it would be a good as a coop for MI winters, at all.


Dawn

 

[ruth]

I have the Chick-N-Hutch and only use it for babies for a very short time. I did use it a couple of weeks ago, for a few days, to isolate a hen I had to do foot surgery on for bumble foot. She practially took up half the hutch (height wide and width wide) which was good because I didn't want her walking on her bandaged foot. I don't think there's any way you could get by with using it for four grown hens - even to sleep in. They would really have to crowd in.

 

[ticks]

The chick-n-hutch seems pretty predator proof too.