The Poultry Keeper

flump · Joined: 20 Apr 2008 Posts: 110 Location: Northants

Hi
Yesterday my oldest daughters friend gave me a coop as she has bought more hens and needed something bigger.All i need to know is:-
1, Whats the best thing to paint it with,can i use bright colours ie pink/blue etc or is it best to stick with the browns.
2, How many hens can i keep in it? (it housed 4) ,bearing in mind my hubby when he has time will be making the run longer and im thinking of having 3 hens for now.
3, Any other advice about it ?
Here are some pictures i took this morning.

flump-x-

JustChickens · Joined: 24 Mar 2008 Posts: 604 Location: Sussex

You can paint it any colour you want. But you might want to use a waterproofing paint, thats what i do.

It dosn't look very big, it looks like a converted rabbit hutch. But 3 hens would be fine i guess Smile

If you get 3 hens and want to add one more... id suggest you dont, beacuse they will pick on the knew one badly.

Making the run longer would be a great idea Smile

Goodluck. JustChickens

mudshark · Joined: 18 Mar 2008 Posts: 9 Location: Surrey

So the previous owner kept 4 chickens in there with that run? IMO that's cruel. 2 chickens in the hutch and that run is OK for only 1.

flump · Joined: 20 Apr 2008 Posts: 110 Location: Northants

Here is the coop all painted up,my hubby also altered the front so it opens up to let the hens out .

I pick my girls up tomorrow morning,so look out for pictures tomorrow !
mudshark~~~ the hens will only be in the coop overnight,let will be free to roam the garden during the day,plus later on my husband will be expanding the run to make it longer for them.If i were to keep the hens in the coop day & night i might as well keep battery hens.
flump!

Bhindi · Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2008 8:08 pm Post subject:

I must confess I was concerned about the size of the coop/and run, Black Rocks don't like being locked up, (they can protest very loudly), but if its only night time accomodation it will probably do.

www.woodenart.org.uk · Joined: 14 Jan 2008 Posts: 36 Location: shropshire

Hi,

Just a small point, the roof looks like it's 'flat' Is there any way you can put a slope onto it so it will let the rain water drain away ? It will keep you girls dry and make the House last longer.

Mark.

Barny_Velder · Joined: 29 Dec 2007 Posts: 164 Location: North Wales Coast

Previous owners lived on a slope:)

flump · Joined: 20 Apr 2008 Posts: 110 Location: Northants

mojo · Posted: Sat May 03, 2008 8:37 pm Post subject:

the secret to any coop...............make it as big as the space you can spare NOT as big as you think you want.........like chickenpox chickenkeeping is contagious

flump · Joined: 20 Apr 2008 Posts: 110 Location: Northants

Thanks mojo,the girls are out most of the time it's mainly for when we are out or at work where i wouldn't leave them loose in the garden and i want them to be as comfortable as possible.
flump-x-