Please give me your opinion

[homestead 101]

I just bought this coop for $600. Its 36 by 38 inside. Barn style. Comes with a 11 by 3 ft run covered with hard ware cloth.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/content/type/61/id/7741274/width/200/height/400[/I
MG]
[IMG]https://www.backyardchickens.com/conte
nt/type/61/id/7741276/width/200/height/400

 

[rosemarythyme]

While you're asking for opinions it sounds as if you've already decided what you're going to do. But the reality is the coop is very small and should only house 2, maybe 3, birds max. The 4 sq ft minimum that's recommended on here is for usable floor space. Roosts, nest boxes, do not add onto that. Four hours of free ranging once in a while will not make up for the amount of time they'll be crowded inside, especially if the weather is bad.

 

[flyin-lowe]

The "recommendation" is for 4 square feet of floor space per bird. So the height doesn't matter. If you live in warm climate where the birds would only be inside at night or during the rain you can go a little less. In my opinion in BC you need more then 4 square feet per bird given the fact they will be held up in there many months out of the year. I'm no expert but there are many people on this site that are. You should listen to them and not try to justify going with the advice that the person who sold you this overpriced coop has to say. You also need to have approximately 1 square foot of ventilation per bird. That means if you could put 5 birds in there you would need to cut out 5 square feet of wall space to place vents. By the time you do that you won't have much left.

It seems to me the options are to: Use that coop for 2 birds. Attempt to get your money back and start over, count your losses with that coop and start over, or sell that one and start over. I know it's not what you want to hear but you will be saving money and heartache in the long run.

 

[flyin-lowe]

We haven't gotten to the run yet. It's only 30 square foot. That itself is sized for 3 birds.

 

[aart]

I am planning to ad a second story for roost with a plywood floor. That should add 4.5 more square feet for roost. Thanks to everyone on here for all the advise. I really want to give them a happy life. Any one have any ideas on how to make even more room with out building a new coop

You just can't put 5 pounds of sssstuff in a 2 pound bag.

 

[peopleRanimals2]

Can you post a picture?

 

[homestead 101]

 

[homestead 101]

 

[peopleRanimals2]

It's very cute. I'm not sure if its just not visible in the pictures, but it looks like you need to add some roosts, a nesting box, and maybe a closeable door to the little pop-hole. (Can't tell if there's one there or not)
Otherwise, it looks great! Have fun with your flock and feel free to ask any questions!

 

[flyin-lowe]

That seems like a lot of money for a coop that should only house 2 chickens. Not trying to be rude but since you asked for opinions I feel you could have shopped around and got something with a better price per square foot. How many birds did you plan on getting?

I shopped around and bought materials when they were on sale but I built my own coop, 8'x6' with a 7 foot tall roof and paid $300 for the materials. I did put in used windows that were donated but all the lumber was bought new at Lowes. My Lowes store has 10'x9' wood sheds that are pre built for just over $800.