Minnesota winter-is this too small coop

[tlsk]

Coop is an old uninsulated dog house. Approximately 2 1/2 feet wide by 5 feet in length but at least a foot of the length is used as a nesting box. There are 5 chickens, each a different breed. We live in Minnesota so it gets pretty cold. They are locked in the coop for almost 12 hours a night at this time of year. They made it through last winter in this coop but I am worried it is way to small and unhealthy for the birds.

 

[Wyandottes7]

By most standards, that coop would be too small. Ideally, you want each chicken to have at least 4 feet of henhouse space. Sometimes, you can get away with a little less if they have access to outside or spend most of their day outside. But, the more space, the better (though smaller areas help them keep warm a little better).

Your coop has less than 12.5 usable square feet, which would in theory support only about three chickens, not five. Too little space can be unhealthy and lead to feather picking. You may not be able to do much about it now, but in the future, you should add on to the coop or get rid of one or two chickens.

 

[tlsk]

Is it ok it is not insulated?

 

[aart]

Coop is an old uninsulated dog house. Approximately 2 1/2 feet wide by 5 feet in length but at least a foot of the length is used as a nesting box. There are 5 chickens, each a different breed. We live in Minnesota so it gets pretty cold. They are locked in the coop for almost 12 hours a night at this time of year. They made it through last winter in this coop but I am worried it is way to small and unhealthy for the birds.

...and that would be a good thing to worry about as it is too small.

Ventilation is much more important than insulation.