Need ideas for turning nesting cage into winter coop!!

[feather16]

My mother in law, very thoughtfully bought this for my chickens for the winter (where they are now floods in the winter)

I wanted to build them a secondary coop and run, but feel obligated to use this. Now I’m new to chickens still, but this looks like to me just nesting boxes in a cage? I’m having difficulty trying to think of what to do for their cover/roosts (they are 13wks and still sleep in a pile on the floor of their coop)
We are in Northern California, so the winters, in the coldest have dipped to high 20’s but mostly stay 30-50 degrees. No snow, just frost.

If it’s just not feasible I can talk to her politely and go with my original plans to build something for them.

Please help! Any and all ideas welcome! Thank you in advance

 

[TXchickmum]

How many chickens do you have? This looks fairly small for full-grown chickens. Temporarily, it would suffice if modified. We live in a "volatile" climate. It is extremely hot in the summer, and can be in the low 20s in the winter. Our first coops were "open air" coops with only one solid side (where the nesting boxes were). -did have a roof, though. -worked great in the summer! -first fall/winter, we covered 2 sides with heavy clear plastic sheeting. -left one side open for good ventilation. -young birds did great! -kept the rain out and minimized the wind, but still allowed good air-flow. You could build a simple coop which opened into this (so it could be used for a run/nesting). That would work as well. You would be utilizing this structure, but also protecting your birds from the elements. Best of luck!!

 

[feather16]

Oh I didn’t think of that, that’s great. (I thought it was a bit small too) I have 4 chickens. There’s only one door, so I’ll have to get creative for cleaning.. but you got my tinker tinking, thanks!

 

[aart]

you got my tinker tinking, thanks!