Is this coop to cramped?

[wullus]

I bought this coop a few days ago on ebay, still waiting for it to arrive:

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/CHICKEN-...657898?pt=AU_Pet_Supplies&hash=item53eba3acaa

I've been trying to judge the dimensions from the measurements and photos on the listing, and I'm starting to think it would be too cramped for the chooks I intend to get. How many do you think would fit in?

I wanted to put it in my mum's garden, because it would no doubt fit in well with the whole aesthetic look; however, what I was thinking of doing was not having a run for them, just letting them free-range all day. But I'm thinking that it wouldn't be good if I forgot to let them out one morning, and they're in the coop all day, squishing around.

If i have to, I will build them a run, but i'd just rather not spoil the look of it I was planning on getting 3 chickens, (someone suggested in another thread that 4 could fit in there) but if I can only fit 2 in, I'll give the other one to my parent's flock.

thanks!

 

[coolcanoechic]

Try starting with two birds. If you think there is enough room for another, then get a third. I noticed the roosting bars are below the nesting boxes. They may sleep in the nesting boxes if the bar isn't higher than the boxes. When you get it, see if you can add a roosting bar up higher.
A covered run would be nice to have to keep the girls safe during the day, but if you plan to free range, that is ok too, however, you may find that their digging in the garden may destroy some of the beds.
This WAS an herb bed dug up by my two girls.

 

[Buckhunter76]

It sure does look small from the pics

 

[Cheeky Chick]

That's 5.5 feet by 3 feet. Considering you free range and the house will be for sleeping and laying-you could probably get away with 3 chickens. Not Jersey Giants of course, but med/large hens should be ok.

 

[Fred's Hens]

My concerns might be whether they are including the protruding nesting boxes as part of the dimensions. 3x5 is indeed a tiny coop.

 

[Cheeky Chick]

My concerns might be whether they are including the protruding nesting boxes as part of the dimensions. 3x5 is indeed a tiny coop.

They ARE including the nest boxes as living space. Hmmm then maybe only 2, but also the chickens free range, so for sleeping and laying space, if they have an outdoor run/access all the time, it's not bad.
I'd get a bigger one for more than 3.

 

[wullus]

Thanks people! I'll see how I go... when it arrives, I'll post pics of it

 

[Red Barn Farms]

My concerns might be whether they are including the protruding nesting boxes as part of the dimensions. 3x5 is indeed a tiny coop.

Judging from the image is probably is including the boxes too.


I would not want more then maybe three chickens in there. I'm no professional by a long shot when it comes to chickens. Just IMHO.

 

[wullus]

Yeah, it's not too cramped at the moment, and I found out you can stick the perch up higher near that little ventilation thing at the top. I have three chooks in there right now, hope to have at least four sometime, cause there's plenty of room.

 

[Nsampsel]

Mine is only about 4x5 counting the cupboard I used to make 6 nesting boxes. I have 3 roost bars of different height. Only 3 of my banties are over 4 mos old, but I also have a bunch of layers in there to grow out that are between 6 weeks & 3 months old. My run is almost 100 square ft (96 if I remember right). Right now my birds have plenty of room, but I will have to thin my flock soon. It's actually only ideal for about 7-10 LF birds. I think there are about 25 in there currently...LOL

My Banty coop is of smaller dimensions but is for about 10-12 grown birds depending on size and there are about another 20 in there growing out

I'm making some breeder pens for some of my rare breeds that are in pairs & trios, so that will get part of them moved. The "left overs" will be sold or be dinner. You just have to be aware of the current size of your birds & how big they will eventually get.