Coop, Buy or DIY

Hello everyone
My kids forced me to get some chicks, and we got six buff orpington. I thought it won't be an expensive hobby, but I found coop is the biggest and most important need. Anyway I did some research about purchasing a coop and the are very expensive and the reviews are not very good. So I thought I can make one but couldn't found any step by step instructions.
My question is, is it a good idea to buy or make my own coop.
If buy, can any suggest a good one with a cheep source.
Also I am looking for DIY coop step by step instructions to decide if can do it or not.
Thank you

Hi

Glad you could join us here! Have you popped by out coop section ~ https://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/2/Coop_Designs
Lots of great coops there to take a look at and some of the pages also have plans. If you are diy inclined it's always great to make your own as you will get what you want. Often the prefab coops are of poor quality and not designed for as many chickens as stated.
I'm sure of you start a thread in the coop and run forum section you will get help too ~ https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/9/coop-amp-run-design-construction-amp-maintenance

Good luck and enjoy BYC

I think you'll be much happier with a coop you build (or hire someone to build) than the pre-builts. Reading some of the coop build stories members have written are shown under the Coops tab. Check them out, they may give you some ideas.

Good luck!

Thank you
Any suggestions on the attached links

http://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/precision-pet-farm-house-coop?cm_vc=-10005

http://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/precision-pet-orb-country-classic-coop?cm_vc=-10005

Thank you
How can I post a link. I tried and it is held for moderation.
I need oppinion on two of the models of tractor supply. Which are

Red Barn Chicken Coop
&
Precision Pet Farm House Coop, 6 Bird Capacity

Thank you

G’Day from down under Kashifr Welcome!

Sorry to be a downer but there is no way that either of those coops are going to comfortably house your 6 buff orps.

The Tractor Supply Company ‘Red Barn’ has dimensions of 80” x 43” x 52” and supposedly houses 8 chickens. Each of the 8 chickens would have an area 10” x 5”

The Precision Pet ‘Farm House’ has dimensions of 73” x 38” x 46” and supposedly houses 6 chickens. Each of the 6 chickens would have an area of 12” x 6”

The picture they have on their site with the 4 chickens in it shows how little room they have, add two more and they would literally be peas in a pod.

Personally, I think you will be hard pushed to find any type of kit coop that would be appropriate for 6 large chickens and even if you could, it would turn out way more expensive than building your own and still not be a good fit.

Have you considered converting a shed? I have not done that myself and hubby and I built a coop, but I have read some posts on BYC about it. You might want to search and check those out.

I hope you enjoy being a BYC member. There are lots of friendly and very helpful folks here so not only is it overflowing with useful information it is also a great place to make friends and have some fun. Unlike non chicken loving friends, family and colleagues, BYC’ers never tire of stories or pictures that feature our feathered and non feathered friends

Edited to Add: I also just wanted to say that I have been down the kit coop path myself in my early chicken keeping days.

We had two kit coops joined together for 5 bantam chickens and it was still not enough room.

One of the coops was 49” x 44” x 29” [without a run] and was still a little too small for just 2 bantams!

The dimensions of the two coops mentioned above include the run area and personally, I would not keep 4 x bantams in either of them.

Once again, sorry to be a downer, just hopefully helping you out.

DIY is best - the models they sell in stores are always too small for the number of birds they say can live in it. Usually the materials will not stand up to weather or predators. Sometimes people buy a wooden shed and modify it for chickens. Coops and proper fencing (for runs) will be your biggest costs. But if done right they will last a long time.

Greeting from Kansas and ! Pleased you joined our community! I am agreement with the DIY crowd - purchased ones seem to be poorly constructed and too small for my taste. Best of luck with what ever you decide and thank you for joining BYC!!

Yesterday I went to the tractor factory to get the idea for DIY and to see what they have. The red barn style was on display. The quality is very cheap. I pushed a panel with my thumb and it seems it was taking apart.
Anyway the idea I got to follow the same size of red barn, but the 2nd floor entirely in closed, like 4 x 6 size room. In our area we can only keep 4hens. I think it would be good size. Please advise
The other thing which I want to ask,
1: for the wood should I use the normal 2x4 or I need treated wood. Treated is way expensive.
2: is it okay to keep the coop close to the house wall.
Thank you all for your support.

Ventilation is very very important. In the learning center there are wonderful articles that cover ventilation vs drafts, dealing with mud and so much more.

I have seen the red barn coop in person. I have Buff Orpington. For these big gals I know 4 would be cramped in it. There is no good place to put feeders, water dish or grit dish.

If at all possible I recommend a 4x8 shed with windows cut into it. Your hens wont mind extra space at all. It will give them room when weather is bad and you a place to put nest boxes, food and water. You may find that even that is snug once you get everything they need in there.