Is this coop a smart purchase?

I recently posted about my coop design but my spouse isn't cooperating in the build so my next option is to purchase. Luckily I live near a man who makes them. He's got one for sale right now which seems about the right size for the flock size I'm looking at.

It's got four nesting boxes and a roost (I want poop boards so that will be reconfigured. And since we live in Louisiana where ventilation is a concern. I will eventually be building a screen door for the access door too which will stay open during the summer months. Will also be creating a good sized run.

This coop is $450. I think it's big enough for about eight chickens. I wish I had measured it while I was looking at it. I'll call it about 3x4 feet not including nesting boxes.

You will need no more than 2 nest boxes for 8 hens (i have 14 layers and they only use 2!) so maybe you can ask him to reconfigure and reduce the cost?

CT

I think I would reconfigure myself as this one is finished already asking him to redo would likely just cost more. Or I can ask him to build one to my specs but the wait time is 6-8 weeks, and possibly longer because he's out of board and batten. But I am tempted because we don't like the color either and if we get this one it will be repainted. How many birds to a nester?2-3? In my head I was giving one box to two birds.

The suggested number is 1 box for every 4 hens, but they seem to have their favourites and either wait in line to lay in a specific box or pile in together!

Guess you could use a nest box as a food store or something (should you wish).

Have you checked out the cost of buying a prefab wooden shed? They are my preferred coop since they allow flexibility for flock expansion, give you space to store food etc. Its just a case of sorting out some foundation material (cinder blocks, for example) and erecting the shed - put a couple of roost bars, nest boxes and you are sorted.

CT

I will look into it. I definitely thought about it but at the time price seemed an issue. But now that I'm willing to spend this much it might be an option.

http://m.lowes.com/pd/Heartland-Bel...nterior-Dimensions-7-58-ft-x-7-36-ft/50115703

See this isn't much more but then the logistics of adding windows for ventilation and stuff is kind of daunting.

That's adequate for 3-4 hens.

kkapotsy said:

I recently posted about my coop design but my spouse isn't cooperating in the build so my next option is to purchase. Luckily I live near a man who makes them. He's got one for sale right now which seems about the right size for the flock size I'm looking at.

It's got four nesting boxes and a roost (I want poop boards so that will be reconfigured. And since we live in Louisiana where ventilation is a concern. I will eventually be building a screen door for the access door too which will stay open during the summer months. Will also be creating a good sized run.

This coop is $450. I think it's big enough for about eight chickens. I wish I had measured it while I was looking at it. I'll call it about 3x4 feet not including nesting boxes.

Click to expand...

your birds will have a large run, or be free ranged?

depending on the configuration of the roost in there, you may be able to fit more birds.

also, since you are in Louisiana, your weather is similar to mine, I'd maybe consider eliminating the plywood floor altogether...maybe use hardware cloth for the floor. Many of the roost boxes I built, don't have a floor at all, but the roost is only about 24" from the ground. But My runs, have wind blocks as well, from the hard north or south winds, they also have shade, and rain protection for a large portion of them.

I'd add ventilation to the at the peak on the gable ends, and cut a hole in the door at and put hardware cloth to cover the hole. I'd also use hardware cloth for the pop door, rather than completely cover with wood.

That's good advice. I was intending on making a screen door in the summer months with hardware cloth, and a vent in the floor. And for the run since I think I would want at least as a beginner a max of eight birds, would make the run at least 80 square feet. But they will be able to free range at least once a day while I'm outside with them.

kkapotsy said:

That's good advice. I was intending on making a screen door in the summer months with hardware cloth, and a vent in the floor. And for the run since I think I would want at least as a beginner a max of eight birds, would make the run at least 80 square feet. But they will be able to free range at least once a day while I'm outside with them.

Click to expand...

do you have any pics of the arrangement inside?