Anyone have GreenChickenCoop.com experience?

Hi all!
I'm just embarking on this whole awesome chicken business, and of course want to have the best coop for my future feathery friends. I've been searching high and low for the best coops, the most affordable...teetering between wanting to do it ourselves (yeah right), to spending way beyond our budget, or getting something cheap through ebay, certainly made in China.

I came across www.greenchickencoop.com and loved that their coops were USA-made, made with renewable timber, and non-toxic paint. However, the coops ship whole, which can be costly, and the largest one only holds 8 chickens (maybe 10 if they only had 1 square feet per hen in the coop). So far, my e-mail interactions with them have been wonderful. Dan, the owner, has been very attentive to my inquiries, even over the holiday. But, I was wondering if any chicken peeps out there have real experience with these coops? Does anyone have them? How well do they hold up? Are they a good size, or do you find yourself wanting to expand even more?

They look very cute and well made. Please bear in mind that standard size chickens need AT LEAST 4 sq. ft. per chicken in the coop, and 10 sq. ft. in the run. With that in mind, I would not put more than 2-3 hens in a 10 sq. ft. structure. If you go tighter than that, you will risk pecking problems, especially in the winter. (Lots of posts about that in "emergencies" and "management" forums right now, not pretty). Have you looked at the Coop Designs section?

Yeah, we were looking at the extended "Alexandria" design here:

http://www.greenchickencoop.com/Our_Coops.html

They have replied saying the design is the most human-friendly...allowing easy egg access, and that it's easy to clean. Doing the math (if I'm correct - I was totally an art major), 36 x 60 leaves us with 15 square feet in the "extended" version of the coop, which is just under two feet per chicken. Is that not enough? They told me the extended Alexandria design will hold up to 8 chickens...hmm....

and naturally I'm dead-set on hefty breeds, like Buff Orps!

Quote:
Do not listen to the seller. It may be "human-friendly" but it is not chicken friendly for more than two or three birds as mentioned. It may hold 8 chickens but it will not provide adequate living space.

At least here in Maine, putting 8 birds in that tiny space would be cruel. If they have to remain in the coop for any length of time (such as when it's below zero for a month with 4 feet of snow, those birds would have nothing to do but get on each others nerves and pick each other mercilessly.

Of the 15 sq. ft. you're considering, it looks like 3 sq. ft. of that is nest box. That leaves 12 square feet of usable floor area. I'd put only 3 birds in that cute little over-priced box.

My suggestion would be to find an out-of-work carpenter, show him or her the picture and say you want something similar built on a 4'x8' platform for $529.00. Then put 6 or 8 happy hens in it.

Wayne

hmmm. yeah, I was afraid of that.

Thanks for your advice Wayne! I've actually found someone "fairly" local in GA...he makes chicken coops, but I'm not entirely sure of the design. This is his site, and I've seen others post it here as well: www.cockadoodlecoops.com

My main concern was for the height of the nest boxes (which I've also asked the BYC community). I can't find a lot of information on it, but I have read in several places that chickens like to roost high and nest low. Is this true, and if so will having high nest boxes discourage my hens from laying?

So much to think about with this chicken business!!

Yes, those nestboxes are higher than the roosts, which is not generally a good idea. A high nest box is fine if they can get into it (with an adjacent perch), but the roost needs to be higher. Otherwise they are likely to roost in the nest box, or on the edge, and make it pooey. The other thing I don't like about those coops is the wire floor--I really, really hate wire floor. For one, predators can scare them and grab their toes. Sorry to be so negative, but I spent A LOT of time researching and thinking about coop design. It that guy could build you a coop with a solid floor, and nestboxes lower (only need one bank of nest boxes also--one side), that could work well. Make sure you can access the entire inside easily. But I would try for one that you can walk-in--sooo much nicer!

Keeko, did you ever decide on a coop to purchase? I was just reading through the greenchickencoop.com website, and it states that the runs can be covered with tarps during the winter to deflect snow. That should still provide a good space for the chickens during the winter, although the house itself still does seem a little on the small side.

Sorry for the delay!
Yes, I went with the Cockadoodle coop. It was the most affordable coop for the cost, including delivery. However, it's not perfect, and I'm encountering some problems with it hadn't anticipated (and the chooks aren't even out in it yet!). I've painted it, shingled it, and put removable plexiglass windows for the winter, but they don't sit flush with the windows. Also, the door in the back is much smaller than I thought, and it's going to be tough to get in there to clean. I'm wondering if www.ezcleancoops.com will be better suited to my needs. I guess the search for the perfect coop never ends!! Here's where I am with the cockadoodle coop:



I opted out of the Green Chicken Coop because I just wanted more hens. I love their design and eco-friendly mission, but I found even the extended Alexandria model to be too small for the cost. C'est la vie!

I wish I had seen this before I bought from Green. Here is my review that I posted on Greens FB Page. I have serious buyers remorse. Next Time I will build one like this.

I have posted here a few times the past few weeks and also did when I recently got my coop. I want to start this post with compliments again. The owner is very obliging and the coop is well made but I have to say being a complete newbie and spending countless hours on chicken sites I have one complaint. I purchased the Extended Alexandria and am disappointed there is only one air vent and no windows in the coop. Ok, so I should have noticed this but like I said I am a newbie, dont even have my chicks yet. I would think this would have been mentioned when I ordered the coop. Obviously we cannot leave the doors open due to predators. This was very pricey now that I have seen some other coop companies and to add "extras" was not feasible for me. I really think a small window for ventilation and light at the peak of the opposite end from the one vent would be a huge plus and should be standard. On rainy or Winter days this coop is going to be very dark and cold. I seriously considered returning it but I could not possibly afford the shipping. Thanks.

I am wishing I had gotten a small wooden shed that I could have predator proofed. Next coop will be that.