How many hens in this coop, sorry I am math deprived!

[thndrdancr]

Ok, I have been going to garage sales and looking for something I could convert to a coop. Found nothing on Saturday, after being out all day.
Then, Saturday late afternoon, just as we are heading home...I saw a FREE sign on a desk in a driveway! What luck.

Ok, I have 2 1/2 hens or 2 hens and one UFO.

My desk measurements are 40 length, 23 width, and 28 height. I will probably set in on its side so that they have the 40 inch by 28 inches, and then build lil higher roof, so will more like 40 inches tall as well instead of 23. Will this fits my 3 chickies? They are 2 Americauna (altho one will always be a miniature) and one red sex link?

Thanks
Jill

 

[ChrissyNC]

If the coop is 40" x 28", that's a little over 6 square feet of space, so that's about 2 sq ft per bird. I think the going comfortable rate is about 3-4 sq ft, but if the one is more bantam sized, and you provide them a good sized run so they spend most of their day outside the coop, then it just might work. You could also make an addition to the desk, so you don't have to build a coop from scratch. Whatever you decide to do, I would LOVE to see pics of a desk-coop!

 

[thndrdancr]

Thanks Chrissie,

LOL, I havent quite got it figured in my mind either, but me and hubby are BOTH very deprived in the carpenter skill area. This might be veeeeerrreeeeee
interesting.

I agree, if I turn the desk on its side, then I can add another foot to the "walls" (the actual feet which are solid walls of the desk). It already has a built in nestbox (the drawer) and a built in "perch" (support board in the middle). It would probably be best turned on the side anyhow becuz I was looking it over, and I cant really use the top of the desk as the top, becuz it was used for target practice and would leak, and anyhows, more floor space for the chickies turned on its side.

So, now to build a roof, and ...utoh, a ROOF??? helppppppppp....

 

[barg]

Ive read your description a couple times now, and am still totally confused by what you have and what your trying to do, so I second the idea that you post pics, Id'e love to see what your doing, I cant picture it, Sounds interesting though.

 

[justusnak]

I too am totally confused....a desk hu?? This will be interesting. Make sure to get plenty pics of the conversion!!

 

[ChrissyNC]

Quote:
You wouldn't have to have mad carpenter skills to just use the desk as the base, and build a little frame around it. Put an OSB board on a slight angle on the top, maybe coated so that it doesn't leak. I like the idea of using drawers as nest boxes.

I will have to keep my eye out for people giving away furniture on the side of the road. If the Desk-Coop works then there are thousands of coops out there, just waiting to be discovered.