You might consider three rather than 2 chickens -- if you only get two and something happens to one then you HAVE to get another one (with all the attendant problems of cost, aggravation, logistics, possible health problems bringing in a new chicken, and possible hostility between them. Whereas if you have 3, you could lose one and still have two left to keep each other company. You can always give away any extra eggs, or freeze them, or bake a little bit more
Just a thought.
Your life will be easier -- and you will have a much better opportunity to learn some basic DIY skills -- if you get a WOODEN structure to modify. A small wooden playhouse or large doghouse, perhaps? Just keep an eye out. For 3 chickens you would want ideally a 4x4 structure (you could probably get away with 3x3, but, I wouldn't do it) and it needs to be modifiable so that most of one whole wall, or one half of the roof, can hinge outwards to let you have easy access to the whole inside for cleaning and so forth. If you set the whole thing up on blocks or posts, so it is 2' or so above the ground, a) your back will thank you when it's time to clean it out and b) the chickens can use the underneath space as a place to be outdoors yet sheltered from the weather.
Frankly it would be awfully easy to cobble something together YOURSELF at those dimensions -- you would not need more than a hand saw, a cheap power drill with a few bits and driver bits, and a try-square. LOTS AND LOTS of people here have built their own coops with no prior experience and had it turn out fine. And that way you can get it exactly the way you want. Cheaper too
Good luck, have fun,
Pat
Your life will be easier -- and you will have a much better opportunity to learn some basic DIY skills -- if you get a WOODEN structure to modify. A small wooden playhouse or large doghouse, perhaps? Just keep an eye out. For 3 chickens you would want ideally a 4x4 structure (you could probably get away with 3x3, but, I wouldn't do it) and it needs to be modifiable so that most of one whole wall, or one half of the roof, can hinge outwards to let you have easy access to the whole inside for cleaning and so forth. If you set the whole thing up on blocks or posts, so it is 2' or so above the ground, a) your back will thank you when it's time to clean it out and b) the chickens can use the underneath space as a place to be outdoors yet sheltered from the weather.
Frankly it would be awfully easy to cobble something together YOURSELF at those dimensions -- you would not need more than a hand saw, a cheap power drill with a few bits and driver bits, and a try-square. LOTS AND LOTS of people here have built their own coops with no prior experience and had it turn out fine. And that way you can get it exactly the way you want. Cheaper too
Good luck, have fun,
Pat
