Need to make a change in coop

[Dooner]

As a newbie, I totally made an expensive mistake in my opinion. I bought a premade hutch which is suppose to house four chickens. It is a two story model. The lower section is a floorless run approx 3x4 with screen on the long ends and closed on tHe short sides. I added wire mesh on ther floor to protect from predators. The lower area has two roosting bars. The upper area is enclosed maybe 1 1/2x3 and then there is an outside box for nesting. The pullets i got are prety good size. I built a 4 x 7 foot run that is 2 1/2 foot tall with no floor either. It has been rEall wet since I got them and they seem miserable.

Due to rules, I cant make a coop obvious to anyone even though I llive on five acres. I only plan on three hens, maybe five some day and therefore I plan on building or buying a building that appears to be more of storage or garden shed. They are so expensive! I found one on sale for $599. I would have to add a nesting box or two and build some roosts. Here is my dilema, only two small windows on the doors and two vents at the top front and back. Is that enough? The buiding is all plastic, so it would be real cleanable and should be warmer than an uninsulated wood shed. Inwould have to cut the plan side panels to add a chicken door and could probably figure out a way to add a couple more vent, but doubt I could add a window. I was thinking maybe a solar powered light.

Please give me your thoughts, here is a link to the shed: http://www.suncast.com/productdisplay.aspx?id=620&pid=87

Thanks

 

[Judy]

I have something similar to that for storage. I would hate to try to make a coop out of it. The material just isn't designed to be cut or modified in any way. Now if it were made of wood supports and some sort of siding or paneling for walls, it would be a lot easier to work with. I'd hat to see you substitute a light for natural sunlight. As for warmth, many newcomers have the misconception that chickens need a lot more warmth than they do. It is hot weather that is a real problem for them, not cold, for almost everyone's climate. All they need in winter for the most part is enough ventilation to get the humidity and ammonia out, and freedom from drafts. And maybe enough width to the roost that they can cover their feet well. Do read Patandchickens' cold weather coop page, if you haven't already:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=1642-winter-coop-temperatures

There's also a link there to a great page on ventilation.

 

[Dooner]

Thanks. So you think it would just get too hot? I am writing them to see if they have windows you can add and how I could add a dogie door. I already spent $380 on the chick n cabin. This one is on sale for $599. I would have to build a base for it. I cant afford much more.

 

[WoodlandWoman]

You have this one right now, correct?

http://www.critter-cages.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=711

Can you cover the roof on the part of the run closest to the coop? That would give them a larger area to get out of the rain. It would also keep rain from blowing into the open bottom where they're roosting. I'm surprised they aren't trying to squeeze into the top portion. I've used tarps tied down tightly as temporary covers. That might work for you.

 

[Dooner]

Quote:
No, i have the chick n cabin from ware. Either my hens are large or i am too concerned, but the last four days of rain and cold convinced me they need more space and protection. I got a cheap tarp to cover when it was nasty. Wisconsin winters are pretty nasty.

 

[aggie9296]

I would NOT toss out an expensive coop because it's been wet. Hackuva a lot cheaper to give them more runs space and cover it to give them a little drier area. That coop looks to be PLENTY big for 3 hens. Covered space of 16 sq feet if I'm looking at the right one.

If they are in a really wet area, may try higher ground? Or even a cheap pop up canopy cover to give them a larger area with no snow or rain?


Go thru the coops section here. People have made numerous add-on or modifications to pre existing coops. I modified my A frame tractor to have a square coop with more head room.

Don't give up just yet. You can probaby make it work. The chickens are just probably sick of the wet/cold just like you are. Another expensive coop probably won't make them happy either.