Is my coop too small?

[chickenana707]

I’m good at chicken math, but not regular math. I bought this coop but haven’t set it up yet. After further thinking, I’m worried it’s not going to be big enough, but this is my first time having chickens. Reviews for all prefab coops seem to be so hit or miss...I get that it's not the best, but realistically is it safe/healthy? One person says don't put more then 4, another says they have 10 ducks living in here. So confusing! I live in the Midwest and was hoping for 6-7 chickens to start. We are not allowed to free range because we are in a neighborhood. We were hoping to build or get an omlet coop next year. Will this coop fit 6-7 until then? I’m open to getting a second run to put off the other side too. Also, any recommendations on “winterizing” a prefab coop like this?

 

[DobieLover]

I wouldn't put more than two in there. Therefore I wouldn't put any in there. You should have a flock of at least three. Prefabs are never worth the money. They're horribly designed, cheaply made and always undersized with completely inadequate ventilation especially for cold climates.
Just because somebody claims that they house X number of birds in a structure like that does not mean that the birds are happy or healthy or that it is easy to maintain them. Usually they're living in subpar conditions and are not happy at all. I would recommend that you try to find a small, used shed to convert into a coop. You always get a far bigger bang for your buck doing that than buying a prefab.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Hi, welcome to BYC, thank you for joining! There's a lot to learn when you just get started. We have a Learning center with lots of articles to help you. Hang on, I'll go grab a link.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Stand by, tecbnical issues.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Here you go, this should be it:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/categories/learning-center.11/

 

[AinaWGSD]

I don't see any measurements, except 63 inches long but it's unclear if that's talking about the coop or the run.

Without numbers I can't say it's too small by recommended numbers, but I can say that I have never seen a prefab coop that's actually big enough for the number of chickens it claims to hold. For 7 chickens the minimum recommended coop size is 28sq ft (that does not include the space taken up by roosts, feeders, or waterers) and the minimum recommended run size is 70sq ft. So you're looking for a coop with a footprint roughly the size of a full sheet of plywood (4x8ft) minimum.

 

[IdyllwildAcres]

I’m good at chicken math, but not regular math. I bought this coop but haven’t set it up yet. After further thinking, I’m worried it’s not going to be big enough, but this is my first time having chickens. Reviews for all prefab coops seem to be so hit or miss...I get that it's not the best, but realistically is it safe/healthy? One person says don't put more then 4, another says they have 10 ducks living in here. So confusing! I live in the Midwest and was hoping for 6-7 chickens to start. We are not allowed to free range because we are in a neighborhood. We were hoping to build or get an omlet coop next year. Will this coop fit 6-7 until then? I’m open to getting a second run to put off the other side too. Also, any recommendations on “winterizing” a prefab coop like this? View attachment 4309501

Yes it is too small and has no meaningful ventilation. Not fit for anything to actually live in imo

 

[Ridgerunner]

Hi, welcome to the forum! Glad you joined!

Do you have a link to that coop so we can see dimensions and other details? Also, where are you so we can assess climate? There can be a world of difference in a tropical climate versus the far north.

One of the details I'd look at is ventilation. It looks like it might have a ridge vent so may not be that bad. But that's why I would want to see the details. To see how it is built and outfitted.

 

[ABQ chicken keeper]

I’m good at chicken math, but not regular math. I bought this coop but haven’t set it up yet. After further thinking, I’m worried it’s not going to be big enough, but this is my first time having chickens. Reviews for all prefab coops seem to be so hit or miss...I get that it's not the best, but realistically is it safe/healthy? One person says don't put more then 4, another says they have 10 ducks living in here. So confusing! I live in the Midwest and was hoping for 6-7 chickens to start. We are not allowed to free range because we are in a neighborhood. We were hoping to build or get an omlet coop next year. Will this coop fit 6-7 until then? I’m open to getting a second run to put off the other side too. Also, any recommendations on “winterizing” a prefab coop like this? View attachment 4309501

Judging by the comments, is it too late to return the coop?