Is a coop necessary?

[kuntrychick]

I'm so new to chickens. Temporarily (until hubby can build something else in the next couple of weeks) we are using a dog kennel. I think it's 6'x8'x4'.

It's got a roof (made with trusses/rafters, triangle shape...whatever....lol) on top and the back is totally closed in with metal siding and the sides are partially covered except for maybe 2 or 3 foot or so on each side. The front is not covered at all.

Since we're new to chickens...we had no idea that they needed a coop and a run (actually we just call what we have a chicken pen...lol), so hubby built a shelf with 2 nesting boxes in it in the very back. The nesting boxes have a roof over them, therefore making yet another shelf on top. Then, beside the nesting boxes is the remainder of the 6' shelf.

He put a big branch from a tree through the holes of the chain link fence for a roosting place.

In other words, the only coop there is is the nesting boxes / shelves in the back of the pen.

Is this ok for at least a temporary coop? I mean, what is the purpose of a coop...privacy for laying and sitting on eggs? Safety also I'm sure.

After looking at y'alls fancy coops.....I'm so jealous! Hubby already knows he's got some work ahead of him....lol.

We do have a metal shed that we're not using. I'm thinking of having hubby move the dog kennel / chicken pen to right in front of the shed and making an access door in the fencing to get to the shed and use the shed as a coop. The thing is, the shed will be bigger than the pen (run). Also, the shed's floor is an old deck. Does that matter?

 

[citrusdreams]

IMOHO, I don't think you need an "official" coop. And people use all sorts of things for coops from kid's playhouses, to dog houses, to something they'll just build. I believe a coop should protect them from the elements as well as predators. I don't think they're picky. Mine like to go in their henhouse, but the "teenagers" are still roosting outside the henhouse in the pen. I'm assuming when the weather starts getting colder, they'll join the others in the henhouse. Can you post a picture of what you have?

I'd start by securing the kennel that they're in so that no predator can get in. Then work on a smaller structure inside it. Check out the posts in this section. Many people have smaller structures that work great and they posted pictures of them too

 

[~*Sweet Cheeks*~]

Oh my -

You can go to the home page for information on how to keep chickens, as it sounds like you haven't done much prior to learn what is best for keeping chickens.

Then go to the Preditors and Pests section and read a little about folks that keep chickens in a pen and what can happen to them.

It is so much easier to make a coop that you lock the chicks up in at night preditor proof then a run or pen.

WECOME to BYC's. You came to the right place to learn a lot about chickens.

 

[txchickie]

Sounds to me like it is just fine for your temporary coop, even if it ends up being permanent!

Dog kennel "coops" are perfectly acceptable!

Many people use a variety of things to house their birds. As long as they are protected from predators and have a place to get out of the wind, rain, and other elements you are good to go! I am honestly not a fan of "closed" coops, I love the open-air type. Ours is only closed on 3 sides, with the 4th side on the east being open with hardware cloth.

Just build them a little house/hut inside the kennel or even put a dog house in there for them. The idea of using your old shed is perfect!

Good luck!

 

[kuntrychick]

OK, I've been reading about people locking up their coop (little house/hut) for the night. What about the rooster? Does the rooster stay in there too or does he stay in another shelter / covered area within the same run for the night? The reason I ask is because if the rooster is all "cooped" up... (closed up in a little house/hut with latches and pad locks and such) how can he come out to crow in the morning to wake you up? How can he see if there's any predators around to alarm 'his girls'?

I'm sorry I'm such a newbie....I'm just trying to understand.

 

[Omran]

Yes you need a coop, it is more fun

 

[Omran]

All hens and all roosters if there are not many roosters should stay in one coop, what you were describing is something no one like as BYC members, I think you have seen some bad ppl raising roosters for other reasons.
But really for few hens and a rooster it is the best to build a coop, it will protect them shelter them and they have a home to hang out in winter and lay a lot of eggs.

Good Luck.

 

[kuntrychick]

Quote:
But then how can a rooster come out to crow in the early morning (before I'm awake)? Or do you have it where your rooster and hens can come out of the coop when they want?

 

[Zahboo]

The rooster has no problem crowing inside the coop. If I were you, I'd PM patyrdz and ask her for pics of her coops. She has open front coops too. They are functional, seen them in action lol. They need shelter from wind rain sun and other weather conditions. If we knew where you lived, we could be more helpful

 

[CityGirlintheCountry]

My boys crow just fine inside the coop.

They crow inside the coop, outside the coop, around the coop... they'd crow under the coop except it's blocked off. They don't seem to really care where they are, they just like to crow!

The main purpose of the coop is to protect the chickens. At night chickens are almost comotose. The rooster won't be watching out for his girls. He'll be asleep. The coop will protect them while they sleep. If your pen is completely predator proof (and this is a hard thing to accomplish!), and your weather stays moderate than a closed coop might not be needed. You just have to make sure nothing can get inside and harm them.

Most dog kennels are made of chain link. Some predators can and will reach through the chain link to grab chickens. Weasels and other small predators can come through. If you don't have the chickens locked up at night you might consider putting some hardware cloth around the bottom (Just attach it to the chain link).

Good luck! Welcome to the world of chickens! Just a warning- it is addictive. Soon you will want another coop and another coop and another coop...