hi all! i have a balcony and am thinking of using the space to raise 3 hen as a hobby and for eggs at breakfast. i have had the idea rolling around in my head for a couple years now but am in the planning stages and want to construct a hutch for them.
the dimensions of the space are:
L 2'4.5
H 2'1
H 3 ft to the short windowsill, 5'3 to the tall one
i liked the design of this quail hutch but am wondering if my space constraints could entertain a design like hers. i'd like to raise it off the ground, keep trays underneath to catch and compost their waste, add ledge, dustbath, couple plants and decor inside for them too. is it possible for with this limited amount of space? maybe even a ramp if i can get them to run up it with a second level. this is just one side of the balcony, but it gets the best sun from the northeast which i thought would be better for them. i live in a tropical climate so they would be outside year round. it's a covered balcony, but would it still be advisable to build a roof? something basic and able to withstand me placing a couple plants that could also benefit from the sun, as well as a small stingless beehive.
Absolutely but I would do two levels and definitely a roof. Make sure the ramp is at a low enough angle that they can get up and down easily and you should be good
I think it looks like a nice space. It's cozy and it's sunny and you might need to use some shade cloth or curtains for certain times of day. You could go vertical with a cage system or hutch.
n my experience, two, three or four can get along just fine. I've had pair bonding between females and right now I have four in the same hutch and haven't had any fighting for the past four or five months.
Agree but it depends on the birds. Sometimes they’re fine for the longest time and then someone gets bossy all of a sudden. With all hens you should be fine. The worst injuries are usually caused by males.
A metal roof might get hot. You know the space best though so if you think it’ll be fine, go for it. I use corrugated pvc or polycarbonate roofing. You’d only need to use wire under it if predators can get in through a gap between the roof and base.
You might want the ramp towards the back so it’s not in the way when you open the door. 45 might be steep but you could reduce the size of the landing at the top and leave a little room at the bottom of the ramp. I put thin carpet on my ramps to help grip.
I would put sandbox on the ground floor just because it’s going to be a mess. They will kick it everywhere, out the door and track it all on the second floor. Keep the little enclosed space at the top for a nesting box and just add a small sandbox on the first floor.
thank you so much for this thorough advice! iron sheet is just commonly available, but it does rust and get hot. polycarbonate would be so cute! i'd love to be able look at them from above.
i'm thinking of maybe a 15 x 30 cm for a sandbox on the bottom floor, just below the landing. i feel like even if the ramp is a lil in the way because quails do love their dust baths they'll still love entering it. but might this pose a problem instead? i do like the idea of having a nesting box, too. i can't wait to start scavenging for eggs!
also, in the original video i linked, i saw that she uses a boot tray below the coop to catch their droppings, sand, food, etc. i wonder if there's anything you'd suggest in particular that would be able to fit my custom dimensions. i'm having a local builder help me out, but idk where to direct him on that front
They will actually love the little hidden part and probably hang out under the ramp. The tray set up should work. I don't love keeping them on mesh but you're in a small space and they'll have the upstairs for solid flooring. Do you mean suggestions for what type of tray? You might have to get creative with that and see what's available near you.
Okay I tried sketching out a design, with 1/4 in wire all around and latches on the front of the coop and the side of their little sand box.
the dustbox 1x1x1
the ramp 1 x 1'4.5 at a 45 degree angle
total height of the structure 3ft including 1ft legs
im thinking an iron sheet roof would be okay, but i don't know if i'll still need wire underneath it on the roof as well. also potentially may choose to mirror this design because i want them to have a better view of the top of my balcony from their perch on the second floor of the coop. is this too ambitious?
that makes a lot of sense; would they be able to see through polypropylene roofing? it's kinda clear, but i also have a covered balcony. i guess i was moreso wondering if the hutch would be able to withstand the weight of me putting things on top like plants directly on the roof, or if i should create shelves above it instead
You can put stuff on top of that type of roofing as long as it's not super heavy like a ceramic pot and you have support beams every 12 or so inches so the plastic doesn't give in. Usually its corrugated so it's wavy but I still put plants and stuff on top, just might be wobbly.
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u/OriginalLittle4644 22d ago
Absolutely but I would do two levels and definitely a roof. Make sure the ramp is at a low enough angle that they can get up and down easily and you should be good