My new chickens

[Bryceeast]

Ok so i am geting 2 hens from my friend that are preatty old they have a couple more years of laying but i have a run i built out of hardware wire but i dont have any where in the run that is a chicken coop should i make a box for them to go in to sleap and to lay eggs i dont have much money so i was gonna make it out of plywood should i build this for them?!?!?

 

[Pequena Bandada]

Yes, you should build them some sort of coop. Chickens need a protected spot to sleep that's free of drafts and safe from predators. Depending on where you're located, a plywood box will either be just fine or not quite enough. Also remember that if you're in a cold climate your chickens will spend a decent portion of time inside the coop when it's cold/windy/snowy. So be sure to build it big enough to give them about 4 sq feet of space each (8 sq feet for 2 hens). Inside the coop you'll need to build a small (12x12) nest box and a roost. The roost should be higher than the nest box. A 2x4 laid on it's side is a good roost for hens.

Good luck.

 

[Bryceeast]

Thank you and i live in albuquerque and the only pedator i am worried about is a racoon so i burried chicken wire to keep them from digging there way in but if they do will plywood keep my girls safe

 

[PepsNick]

This should be moved to the coop section.

Definitely! It is a MUST. You can't just give them some feed, water and hardware cloth and expect nothing to happen. I suggest you do some reading up! https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewforum.php?id=9

 

[bywaterdog]

You give them the best that you can now, when able to upgrade do it.

Good luck with your new pastime. I started out with chickens long ago (the early 70's ) and still enjoy and learn about them daily.

 

[Bryceeast]

Thank you i use your advice and they are doing great!