Approximate cost for 8x12 run and simple 4x6 ish coop?

We may be getting some chickens in the next couple of weeks from someone who ordered too many, but it will depend on how expensive this whole endeavor is going to be!

We live in Mississippi.

I'm looking to build an 9x12 run (or similar size) and a 4x6 foot coop (doesn't matter what exact size, just that approximate square footage). We are thinking about 6 chickens. They would free-range some, but most likely only when we are outside with them, and we are gone for 2 2-week periods during the year. They probably would not get to free-range during those times. Would this be large enough?

I want to do a run that is about 6ft high so we can walk in it, hardware cloth at least around the bottom 2-3 feet and buried a foot, some kind of wire over the top to protect from hawks. The coop, well, my head is spinning looking at designs, but we're aiming for simple (easy to build!), efficient, and inexpensive.

I would need to build this early next week while my father is in town, so I won't be able to be searching for free items/discounted items etc....this will be a "go to Lowes/local feed store etc" for supplies and build.

For those of you who may have done something similar, what do you think I may be looking at as far as cost goes? Any simple plan suggestions? I'm almost scared to ask!

THANK YOU!!!

Where are you located? Your climate will help a lot with the advice you get. Coop design in Arizona is going to be a lot different than in Minnesota

I edited the original post....we are in Mississippi. So pretty mild winters usually! Thanks!

Have you checked Craigslist? I would start there. We are building a hoop house run with PVC piping and treated 2x6 for the border. We are using hardware cloth, the most expensive part of the entire run. We are turning an old playhouse into a coop. We are reusing what we have around our house and what we can get off of Craigslist.

If we had the time, I'd keep a look out on various facebook buy-sell groups for things (there is no craigslist for our area...), but we'd have to build in just a few days while my father is in town and could help. Thanks, though! If it doesn't work out this year, I'll definitely be watching the groups for things to use!

c24267 said:

We may be getting some chickens in the next couple of weeks from someone who ordered too many, but it will depend on how expensive this whole endeavor is going to be!

We live in Mississippi.

I'm looking to build an 9x12 run (or similar size) and a 4x6 foot coop (doesn't matter what exact size, just that approximate square footage). We are thinking about 6 chickens. They would free-range some, but most likely only when we are outside with them, and we are gone for 2 2-week periods during the year. They probably would not get to free-range during those times. Would this be large enough?

I want to do a run that is about 6ft high so we can walk in it, hardware cloth at least around the bottom 2-3 feet and buried a foot, some kind of wire over the top to protect from hawks. The coop, well, my head is spinning looking at designs, but we're aiming for simple (easy to build!), efficient, and inexpensive.

I would need to build this early next week while my father is in town, so I won't be able to be searching for free items/discounted items etc....this will be a "go to Lowes/local feed store etc" for supplies and build.

For those of you who may have done something similar, what do you think I may be looking at as far as cost goes? Any simple plan suggestions? I'm almost scared to ask!

THANK YOU!!!

Click to expand...

Sorry, but those things rarely come together.
Sorry, really sorry to laugh it just really hit my funny bone...Welcome to BYC!

If you want it that fast and simple, best to go buy a 6x8' storage shed and a kennel.
Buy some lumber to build roosts and nests,
and some 1/2" hardware cloth to cover the windows and vents you're gonna need and any gaps in kennel.
Ain't gonna be inexpensive tho...I'd guess about a grand.

Really, in the long run, IMO, it's best to take your time and plan it out so you don't have to re-do it.
There are so many options on housing chickens....
.....most importantly is that they are in a safe and healthy environment that's easy for you and your vacation sitters to maintain.

I'm far less experienced than the other posters, but for the sake of helping out, and not telling you it can't be done, here goes:

Mississippi, so mild climate, I'd say you could get away with 3 walls and a roof.

Depending on your property, you should be able to do a dirt floor, so long as you have access to dry ground. You want the coop located on high ground where any runoff from rain will leave your coop and run area.

I'm assuming you have a general idea, or your father does, of how to frame walls and that sort of thing.

So if you're rushed, you get yourself 5 sheets of 4x8 plywood. How thick depends on how many 2x4's you'll use to support the walls, and how long you want this thing to last. You'll need to use exterior, treated plywood.

One cut across the middle into 2 4x4 foot squares are your two side wall.
One with 2 feet cut off across the end for a 4 x 6 foot back wall.
Two cut the same way as the back wall into 4 x 6 squares will make your roof.

Now you need some 2x4's to support the walls and the roof.

I'd use rafters for the roof, and make the roof one foot higher on the open front end so the rain runs off.

This'll leave a gap at the top between your wall and the roof of 3 1/2 in back, and a foot in the front. Cover that with hardware cloth.

Your roof should overhang your sides one foot on each side, keeping any rain from entering the coop.

Now you build your run on the open front-end of your coop.

That would house your chickens for a bit, maybe years, until you decide to do something else.

Depends on how much you want to make hardware cloth, how much of the wood needs to be pressure treated, and whether you can use zinc hardware or if you need to use galvanized or stainless steel hardware. If you are south of Jackson, you will need materials that will hold up in a coastal environment. If you are further north, the salty air is less of a concern.

Aart- thanks for the support. I know, I'm asking a lot. We will see how it goes. It may be good if I don't have too much time to think about it since I'd probably never make a decision. I'll never be able to do anything fancy anyway.

WesleyBeal- thanks! I like the quick/easy coop idea!