Problem hubby...

[Chick - n - Rachel]

My husband isnt a fan of me haveing chickens, but has let me get five anyway. They are six weeks old in a 6' x 6' cage in the garage.
He has been promissing to make me their coop since before they arrived in the mail but hasnt "got around" to it yet.
I sudgested yesterday we pay a carpenter friend we know to do it for us, and he agreed! Amazing! Building starts this week!
My only problem is my husband is determined the coop is to be only 5' x 3', (dont ask me why...?) and he wont let me have the egg boxes stick outside the coop for more walking area in the house.
Im worried that this is too small for my five large breed girls. They will have a 10' x 5' run attatched that they will have access to all day, but will be in the coop all night.
There are so many of you that know what your doing - whats your opinion please? Should I start World War 3 and insist on a larger one?? Thanks!

 

[KellyHM]

That's a little on the small side, but if they have a run to be in all day then I don't think it will be that bad. The run is a good size for 5 chickens.

 

[georgialee]

Well, bigger is always better when it comes to coops but sice you live in FL the chickens will be outside year-round. Is there any chance you can do a bigger run?

 

[Chick - n - Rachel]

No I cant do a bigger run, we got a dogs run from TSC at the weekend (which will be "lined" with smaller holed chicken wire) and belive me, getting it that big was a chore, he wasnt opposed like this before I got them - said I could do it how I wanted....tut.

 

[Fudgie]

Quote:
That is barely the size of a bathtub. Ask your Hubby to go into the bathroom and collect the mysterious eggs from below the soap rack knowing there is a 1X6 box above it and see if he can maneuver without moving the shower curtain. Then tell him that is 5X3 dear. Can we please make it a little bigger!

 

[Chick - n - Rachel]

Ha Ha HA !! Oh thats good!!

 

[CityChook]

Yeah, that's pretty small. I had my 4 girls in a 2x4 dog crate and they were really on top of each other. Luckily you are in a warm place, so they will spend the majority of the time outside. The problem with a coop that's too small is ventilation difficulty, poo management and cannibalism problems. There just isn't enough room for them to get away from each other.

Honestly, a 4x5 coop wouldn't be any more expensive to build and you won't have as much waste. What's another foot???

Good luck! My DH told me that he was building me a coop not because he liked the chickens, but because he loved me. But he has grown to love the hens too....

 

[Imp]

Chick-n-Rachel,
If you are stuck with 5 X 3. Can you put a second floor in it with a ramp up to the second floor. It will double the floor space. At that size I would not think you need to walk around in the coop. you can reach everything. I use a 3 X 7 rubbermaid shed with a second floor. The hens roost and nest in the top. Food and water are in the bottom. I only have a 6 X 6 run, which the hens rarely use, as they free-range all day. Good Luck.

Imp/Russ

 

[ginbart]

Here's another thing, if you need to have the nesting boxes in the coop where will the chickens roost?

 

[Sugar Sand Farm]

That is alittle small for 5 hens. You have to remember something else Yes you are in Florida but my chickens hide inside in the afternoon once it gets hot. They won't be in the run all day long. Of course you could cover your run with a tarp to help keep that Florida sunshine off them. lol