New to chickens. Will this work?

[GatorBunny]

Thanks for all of your suggestions! So we plan to knock out a bunch of the windows (probably keep some of them) to create ventilation, of course we'll cover up the new holes with something predator proof. We've decided to make a simple raised box like structure with nesting boxes enclosed so they have somewhere if they need someplace dark or if it's cold out. Of course we're adding a roof and some roosts. We plan to get the coop finished first and then began work on an adjacent run, we have a small grassy backyard they can free range in while we're there to supervise in the mean time.

I have some other questions but they are off topic so I'm going to post them in the appropriate sections.

 

[folgerrd]

awesome, good luck!

 

[GatorBunny]

Here is a link to the chicks we ended up with!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/676123/new-chicks-and-our-dogs-pic-heavy#post_9132291

 

[RonC]

36 sq ft would be minimal for 4 chickens to be confined to it. Maybe you could add a small hardware cloth enclosure to it and make it work.In a climate that stays warm you don't need an enclosed coop. You could add a small elevated structure for them to sleep and nest in and winter sleeping quarters if you want. Put a roof on it and cover all the windows with hardware cloth should work. Sounds like you have a good basic idea of what to do.

 

[GatorBunny]

How large should the small elevated structure be? We have access to something that is a little larger then 2.5 x 3.5. Would that work?

 

[RonC]

Being in a warm climate where they won't be confined to the coop itself helps. Build a secure run outside the building to add more room. Build a roof on the building with the windows screened and the small enclosure for the coop might work. It's only slightly smaller per bird than mine. Mine have about 15 sq ft per bird outside in a covered run so eases the confinement of the coop.