Is this coop good enough?

[emilyh]

Hi,

I am a newbie. I recently came into possession of this chicken coop (image from manufacture above). I don't have any chicken yet but I am planning on having 4 hens. The coop dimension 45'' square and 48'' height. There are two nesting boxes in the back. The ramp is in the middle of the floor which drops down allowing access to the ground. Is this coop big enough for me to keep 4 average size hens? They will be free to roam the yard when I'm around, and I am thinking about a chicken run as well for when I'm not around. But I imagine this is all the space they will have in winter?

Also the front of the coop is open (just netting). Will this be too cold in the winter? It was below zero here a few days ago. Will I need to block it off and insulate the coop somehow?

One more question, should the feed and water be kept in the living area or out in the chicken run?

Thank you for any advice!

Emily

 

[seann]

Wow I just asked the same question, lol except my weather is much more forgiving.

I think the space is good for 3 or 4 if they can go roam around (while being watched) during the day.
I'm more worried about wind draft than below zero temperature. Chickens can handle below zero fine but not too much heat nor wind draft. I think.

For water and feed, I will put mine outside (on the bottom) because they don't do anything when roosting at night and also putting them on the bottom allows more space on the top.
However, if you could devise a nipple waterer with pipe or some sort, then it doesn't take much space. Same deal with feeder. Feed and water source are outside and the pipes go inside and take a little real estate inside the coop.

 

[emilyh]

Thank you for the insight.

The wind here is pretty fierce too. This coop is a modular coop so the each plank falls into its place via grooves... not sure how to describe it exactly. I'll take pictures when weather is more cooperative. My whole yard is like an ice skating ring at the moment. Anyway, I'm afraid the wind can go between the gaps between planks. I'm thinking about insulating it and/or put some kind of cover over it but then I don't know if that would be too much...

I'll keep feed and water at bottom.