I miss having chickens - we kept about 20 laying hens for several years. We used a old trough for water and a hanging feeder. Never had problems with vermin. The occasional coon and rat snake would bite the dust but other than that - no problems. We closed in part of an old horse barn and it worked great. When i get more, i will build a small coop that i can move around and keep 8-10 hens. Backyard Chickens always had good info.