Newbie here, please help

[AppellFamily]

Hello everyone! I live in very deep South Texas, as in 15 minutes from the border and on the coast. We don't have much of a winter, about a weeks worth and its usually in the 80's or high 90's here lately. My dad built me this hen house and we enclosed the back corner of our yard. we also have bird netting all across the the top to keep chickens in and "creatures" out. what do i need to differently? there are three nest boxes in the back and two perches inside. I have recently added a door over the opening that i close at night. The underside is very heavy gauge wire mesh. i have two older chicks that are outside already and four baby chicks still in the garage. will this hold six chickens? thanks for the input!!
kristin
very south texas!

 

[The Chicken Lady]

What are the actual dimensions of the coop? (Length x width x height)

What breeds of chicken are you considering? The amount of chickens you can have will depend on whether you plan to raise large fowl vs. bantams.

 

[teach1rusl]

Since you guys really don't get a winter, it looks suitable. However, it's impossible to tell whether it's big enough without knowing it's size, and the type of chickens you have. Are all of your birds standard size (large fowl)?? If so, then does the structure accomodate appx. 6 ft. of roost space, because that's about what you'll need. If the birds all get along well when they're bigger, then you could probably get by with 5 ft. of roost space inside the little shelter area, but that would be a minimum. Does that coop have that much space in roosts???

Also, keep in mind that raccoons or other predators in your area that can climb won't give a 2nd thought to tearing through the netting at the top. That is one issue with not being able to secure your chickens in the housing part of a coop at night (because it looks as if you don't have that option).

 

[mikecnorthwest]

Looks small to me for six birds. It also looks hot, like a little sweat box. I say that because I can only imagine how hot it will get with six hens crowded inside without much room for air to circulate. I'd do a google search for hot weather coops and see what you come up with. It might be hot enough in your area to just build a larger open air shelter as long as you provided a sufficient perimeter fence to keep out predators.

 

[Jen71]

Perhaps you can add a shade cloth over the top to block out the sun?
That won't address the predator issue (as raised by previous posters), but it will help cool things down inside the fenced in area. Another thing I have seen in hot climates is an outdoor perch. Maybe you could create a sheltered outside area with room for the birds to perch on very hot nights?

By the way, I am new to chickens and my babies are only 4 weeks old. So my advice is not from personal "chicken" experience. It's just from what I've read - and living in a hot climate myself (Australia).
Good luck!

 

[AppellFamily]

the hen house is 4x5 and the fenced in area is 14x27. there are 4 vent holes at the top of each side of the house and the bottom is heavy wire mesh. there is good ventilation. i have also added a flip up door that closes them in at night and is their ramp during the day. there are two perches inside, both are 4 feet long. i have two easter eggers and i am not sure the rest of the breeds, but at least one seems to be a bantam breed. what do you think?