New coop old hoop house with vines...

[Old Gardens]

Hi everyone! New urban keeper with an old hoop house conversion for a coop. Ive grown veggies in here for years but this year im housing two Orpington and two Australorp ladies.

I few questions: will vines and tree cover be enough or do i need to waterproof their housing? In Arizona we get...well not much rain...so im not that concerned because a tarp may do the job. Anyway let me know what you think!

 

[Old Gardens]

Also i plan on keeping them in the coop most of the time. Its 150sf. Is this enough space for 4 chickens to live in? As im in a "no wild birds" community, letting them out will be a risk.

 

[Parront]

Also i plan on keeping them in the coop most of the time. Its 150sf. Is this enough space for 4 chickens to live in? As im in a "no wild birds" community, letting them out will be a risk.

Are you in the desert? That looks like a great place for Phoenix area. Here is a link to the AZ area on this site: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/arizona-chickens.31227/page-7210

 

[Parront]

Also i plan on keeping them in the coop most of the time. Its 150sf. Is this enough space for 4 chickens to live in? As im in a "no wild birds" community, letting them out will be a risk.

It looks like chicken heaven, lots of room and shade.

 

[rosemarythyme]

For 4? That's plenty of space.

I'd tarp over the top of the roost/nest area for rain and to help provide some shade, and leave the rest open.

 

[aart]

Heat will be your biggest issue.
Chicken don't do well in the heat.
But you can use misters!!
Humid here so misters only make things feel worse.


Here's my 'hot weather' tips:
Deep all day shade is best but....

I give a dose of Sav-a-Chick electrolytes/vitamins about once a week during heat waves.
It really seems to help....started this after they saved a heat stroked hen once.
Can mix up a smaller amount, just wrap the packet tight and store in a dry cool place.
Always have plain water available too.

BIG(9x14x2") chunks of ice last all day for wading, sitting, and sipping.
Much more useful to the chickens than frozen foods and treats.

Make space in your freezer!

 

[Old Gardens]

Yes I am in the desert. And its so hot already! Thanks so much for the advice! Tarp is ready to go and I will get misters today. I love the block of ice idea as well as the electrolytes.