I am thinking of buying this, for four hens. Do you think that if I put a good sized chicken wire pen around this and let my hens walk around in that during the day, that they'd be ok locked inside of it at night? I am thinking of buying this, for four hens. Do you think that if I put a good sized chicken wire pen around this and let my hens walk around in that during the day, that they'd be ok locked... » Read More I am thinking of buying this, for four hens. Do you think that if I put a good sized chicken wire pen around this and let my hens walk around in that during the day, that they'd be ok locked inside of it at night? « Show Less
604017
I think this coop is too small inside for 4 regular size hens. I decided to only house 3 hens myself. Even with a larger run (which I added) I think the maximum should be 3 otherwise your hens may become stressed.
604018
if you put the chicken wire pen around it, then in my opinion, it would be ok. but you said you wanted to put them in it at night, and they are more inclined to sleep in the roost area than they are "outside" - so actually... with the wire pen attached it seems like it would work for daytime, but I am not sure about night use. Let me know if you want me to take some photos of ours... you might get a better idea of size/space limitations. Direct answer to your question? I don't think it would work that great for 4 hens. 2 work great, but 4 might be overcrowd situation.
604019
I have a large rhode island red and two silkies in mine. They don't like to roost, so they all sit in the tray at night and there is plenty of room for sleeping. I don't think there would be enough room for four full-sized chickens to stay 24-hours in the coop so a pen they could walk around in during the day would be good. We haven't really closed the sliding door at night b/c we let the hens free range in the garden sometimes, then scoot them in at night and lock the coop door.
604020
I had 4 Rhode Island Reds in this coop. I lost one to a dog. Three is a much better number for this size coop. It was just too tight with 4 trying to roost in.
604021
That's what I did. I also had to put chicken wire (i used the plastic kind) across the bottom of the little coop because the hens were digging holes. also I zip tied the 2 sections together because the latches didn't work well. now they are pretty secure.
604022
Unless your hens are banties or silkies, I think 4 is too many. And, they'd likely roost in the nest box and make it dirty.
1909550
It should work fine in the chicken coop after a few days. However, I would check with the manufacturer or veterinarian first to be sure it won't affect the chickens. I would hate for all your chickens to suddenly stop laying.
1524180
You could ... if it were small enough. Only problem is the lid is plastic it would burn. It's the size of two chickens put side by side ... if that helps. Growing up, my grandma just used tin foil to cover her turkey and it turned out delicious. I've cooked chickens in it and it cooks them wonderfully -- I mainly use it for deep dish lasagna. Hope that helps. The plastic lid doesn't lock. BUT it sure is nice to use if you want to marinate or put things in the fridge. It's strong so other things can sit on top of it. PS ... the spatula --- looks weird but I tell ya, I use it every time I cook and need something solid to lift heavier and bigger pieces of food. You could ... if it were small enough. Only problem is the lid is plastic it would burn. It's the size of two chickens put side by side ... if that helps. Growing up, my grandma just used tin foil to cover her turkey and it turned out delicious. I've cooked chickens in it and it cooks them wonderfully -- I mainly use it for deep dish lasagna. Hope that helps. The plastic lid doesn't lock. BUT it sure is nice to use if you want to marinate or put things in the fridge. It's strong so other things can sit on top of it. PS ... the spatula --- looks weird but I tell ya, I use it every time I... » Read More You could ... if it were small enough. Only problem is the lid is plastic it would burn. It's the size of two chickens put side by side ... if that helps. Growing up, my grandma just used tin foil to cover her turkey and it turned out delicious. I've cooked chickens in it and it cooks them wonderfully -- I mainly use it for deep dish lasagna. Hope that helps. The plastic lid doesn't lock. BUT it sure is nice to use if you want to marinate or put things in the fridge. It's strong so other things can sit on top of it. PS ... the spatula --- looks weird but I tell ya, I use it every time I cook and need something solid to lift heavier and bigger pieces of food. « Show Less
1115482
I think it would hold up just fine. You could put a heating pad inside just to make sure your chickens where nice and warm. I have four chickens in mine so they sleep pretty close together I've never had any problems.
1632311
I have also had problems with owls, but I dont think this light will help. I do think it has helped with foxes. My suggestion for the owls though is to cover your run with chicken wire, or netting. Do you lock up your chickens and geese at night? I also moved my coop and run towards the corner of my yard where I have lots of tree cover and that has seemed to "hide" them better from hawks and owls, both of which have taken my chickens.
944493
I have them to protect my chickens. I have had no problems with critters. It's suggested you put the predator at the level shown on the instructions for the particular critters size. The Predadtor was recommended to me by a friend who uses them to protect goats from coyotes. He swears by it. He has 4. Me, all I can say is no problems with the possum or raccoon who got 3 of my chickens BEFORE the Predator. It has blinking red lights. I plan on buying a few more. They work up to a clear distance of 1/2 mile. I'd get them again. It's worth the try
2106293
I used the pen part as a brooder for my chicks and then opened up the other side when they were a few weeks old. The hutch part has a top & bottom so neither has a lot of height. We ended upTaking out the middle piece and putting a roost in the hutch side instead. I will be using it again this spring for my new chicks. I think we kept them in there for about 8 weeks. Maybe a little bit longer. We had 9 so I think you can go even longer with 4 if you want.
1725256
I have a friend using this cage for a pair of cockatiels and it is fine. They can fly within it. I have two of the cages, with 5 parakeets in each and they are not over crowded. I am a middle aged woman, and I can bend the thinnest of the wires with my fingers if I apply quite a lot of force. It hurts my finger tips, but I can flex the wire if I try hard. My neighbor's sun conure is quite a feisty fellow. He lets him self out of his cage and then lets all the other birds out of their cages. Conures are kind of "birds of a different feather." You would be a better judge of your own birds. The cockatiels are content to NOT break out.
1886474
Hi, i don't know much about baby chicks, but will point out a few things about this play pen. It would have to be kept in a low draft area. Halfway up the sides and all the way around is the netting material. So if they need to stay warm that may be an issue. Second thing is the material on bottom is canvas. It would probably hold moisture if gets wet. Other than that its been a great doggie pen. It's flexible enough to bend over and reach over side, but not cheap flexible. Hope I've helped you.
1437556
I have 3 bantams and it is too small along with an attached running pen. I wouldn't keep more than 2 small grown chickens. They also don't use the roost that is provided and sleep in the tray or nests upstairs. My hens should be laying next month...it will be interesting if they use the nests for laying eggs. The pen is not designed to be moved or relocated...I've had mine a few months and it is starting to crack and the end door has been replaced with longer screws several times! The coop is made of light material and won't last very long especially if you relocate your birds to new grasses. Also, the nests are getting loose with no use!! From one grandma to another, you get quality with what you pay.
1423317
Not always. Definitely better than the round feeders with holes in them. This is higher and the spaces between wires are large enough that you have to be carefut that the chicks can reach the food and don't actually get into the feeder. I use the round feeders with the spaced holes around the feeder and set it up on a small food dish (for dog or cat) that is same size as feeder or tiny bit bigger so elevated it a little. This helps a bit. Need to make sure all the chicks can reach the food. I have seen some people rig up a way to hang a round feeder above the bedding but still need to make sure they can reach it and that it is safe. Hope this helps.
524523
If Chickens are only in it at night to sleep do they still need food and water inside? Can you just keep it outside for them when you let them out in the morning? I am new to chickens and always wondered about this when I read about food and water in these...it confuses me. I assume some people leave their chickens in there all the time? Sorry I mean no offense just trying to learn. I've read somewhere some people just take the divider out or use one nest box with divider in place to put foot there...depending on the size of your feeder/water device. Hoe that helps some as my comment was more a question itself than a answer.
134500
I don't think that it would be the best thing for them. Its very small. The picture makes it look WAYYYYY bigger than it actually is. I don't think it would be big enough for them to be comfortable. It was fine for my 9 chickens when they were chicks but we had to make a lot of modifications to it and we had to build on. The wood is actually very cheap and it is thin wood. It's not pressure treated for the weather. Ours is falling apart and warpes.
136721
I live in Mass and it has survived the winter!!! And I happen to live in the country's "snowiest city" this year. No one is in it right now, but it's in my chicken run and my girls use it as a large nesting box. I will be using it for spring chicks this spring, but it is too small to house large breed chickens. I used to keep 2 silkies in there who I no longer have. I'm shocked actually. i can't promise it's weather proof as far as drafts go, my girls don't use it as an actual coop anymore. But there's a good 3 feet of snow on that thing and it's held up well.
190895
Depends. It's pretty small for 2 full size hens for more than a few hours. I use it for when a broody is setting on eggs. Have to move them to something bigger within a week or two of hatching. Just run out of room.
2141436
I would suggest 2 chickens. Possibly 3 but very crowded. We use it as a rabbit pen and we have 3 chickens in a coop 3x the size of this one. I think it's great for baby chicks.
190898
No. It's WAY too small for an adult hen- even one. We have used it only for an injured hen that couldn't stand to let her out for a bit, and we use it for our chicks.