Size of coup

[Solitaire]

What size coup do I need for 4 chickens ?
I'm thinking of making my own and have been looking at plans

[Flummery]

They should have a minimum of 1 sq foot per bird, so that is 2ft by 2ft. However, they need a min of 8" perching space (assuming they are going to perch, if you read threads here you'll find that they don't all do so!) so it's better to do it 2 ft wide but a bit longer - 3.5ft. Better with more room than less. You'll need a nest box too, which, if you make the house longer, can be internal - just at one end. Putting the perch higher than the nest box encourages perching at night. Good luck - pictures will be appreciated!

[pdblake]

Take a look at the one I made (web site in my signature), it fits four with room for a couple more

[Flummery]

Always good to leave room for a couple more!

[MaureenHall]

Make it as big as you can!! it'll never be big enough (you'll get so addicted like the rest of us that you'll want to add more later )

[lynda66]

get a shed and convert it ... i have 3 ... it is far too big and i want more (3 is not enough) ... so had to buy more eggs .... good job i made a big enough house

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...n-house-5.html

[Solitaire]

That's a brilliant henhouse pdblake, I couldn't decide whether to have the nest boxes inside or as a separate bit coming off a side and I had thought of a lifting roof partly to make it easier to clean out

[Solitaire]

[QUOTE=lynda66;456643]get a shed and convert it ... i have 3 ... it is far too big and i want more (3 is not enough) ... so had to buy more eggs .... good job i made a big enough house

Sheds are far to expensive over here, even a little 6x4 is over £200

[pdblake]

I put the boxes inside, but I've left the back so I can remove the door and extend it with an attachable nest box if I want to fit more hens inside. It shouldn't take more than removing the nest boxes and putting in an extra perch to make it big enough for 8

[lynda66]

[QUOTE=Solitaire;456649]

get a shed and convert it ... i have 3 ... it is far too big and i want more (3 is not enough) ... so had to buy more eggs .... good job i made a big enough house

Sheds are far to expensive over here, even a little 6x4 is over £200

then get some pallets and make one like wot i did

beware of opening nest box lids, foxes can open them so make sure they have a secure lock

[sheena]

You could always join your local The Freecycle Network and request a shed, there are always shed's listed, and if you got the room, why not??

Better to aim big, as I started with the intention of only having 4, now I got a couple of chicks to add to them, and will no doubt get a couple more later in the year.

If I had the room, I would most certainly have more than the average joe. With the exception of Lynda of course, she's going for the record right now! lol

[lynda66]

You could always join your local The Freecycle Network and request a shed, there are always shed's listed, and if you got the room, why not??

Better to aim big, as I started with the intention of only having 4, now I got a couple of chicks to add to them, and will no doubt get a couple more later in the year.

If I had the room, I would most certainly have more than the average joe. With the exception of Lynda of course, she's going for the record right now! lol

no i'm going for babies and yummy chicken dinners ..... and apparently the french are really bad at giving things away