We will be getting our chicks next week and my wife and I had a discussion, is a coop needed when we have a fenced in pen which is an open shed attached to our barn and will have roosting bars and nesting boxes built in.. We know that the area is completely dry.
It depends on your climate. If the chickens can stay warm and dry, and they are protected from predators, then your plan should work.
No, a coop is not "needed." HOWEVER, that being said, if you have concerns about possible predators eating your chickens, it is wise to lock them up at night. I have one flock that prefers to sleep inside the coop at night and another flock of chickens that prefer to roost outside in the pole barn and they will not go inside the coop. I have two Grt Pyr dogs who sleep there as well, so I have never lost any to predators even thought we have lots of coyotes here that roam at night. This works great for me since I don't have to worry about cleaning the coop nearly as often and I don't have to let them out in the morning since they're already out.
