6 chicken pre-made coop recommendation?

[Krugerrand]

The Over EZ coops look very sturdy and well built to me. I admire them whenever I go to the feed store. But they are expensive. This one is 5’ X 6’2” and I think one could use it for 6 chickens. They come in different sizes and there is a smaller less expensive one. If they don’t have them at your local store, the website says they ship free….
https://overezchickencoop.com/

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The OverEZ tends to get the best response from what I've read around here. However, it does still require a good bit of ventilation modifications. There are some good threads ton what to do for that, too.

 

[Krugerrand]

If it’s the intimidation factor of DIY more than the need for it to LOOK professional, maybe look into hoop coops. You could likely do a lot of it yourself if you are comfortable hanging a curtain rod using a drill. Just would probably want to recruit a knowledgeable helper for the door.

There are also kits on Amazon and similar that provide metal joints and the plans so all you have to do is take the list they provide to your hardware store and have them cut the 2x4s and whatnot to the right lengths. But you don't have to calculate angles or cut the wood for the frame. I think there is someone on here DIYing using one of those kits right now - maybe find that thread and follow along to see how tough it is?

But if you just aren’t at all a DIY person, that’s fair. I would go back to my first suggestion of finding someone local who has good reviews to build it for you. And build bigger than you think you want - I suggest tall enough to walk in for sure so you aren’t crawling in at some point to catch a stubborn hen or clean the corners.

Kit thread:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/ez-frame-chicken-coop-build.1559028/

I found that swinging cattle panel can make a super easy door. I copied the idea from res

 

[triciayoung]

I am new to this, really just started researching coops a few weeks ago. I live in a Louisiana neighborhood on a 1/2 acre so a small coop+run 10x6 or smaller is a must. Summers here are in the 90s. Winters can dip into the 30s. I am very intrigued by the Eglu + 9ft run but it is just a bit above my price range. I need something that is easy to maintain (poop drawers, solid materials, etc). I am NOT handy and cannot build a coop myself - prefab is the route I need to go.

Am I good considering the Eglu or are there other options in the $1,000 range out there? Everything I see on Tractor Supply and Amazon seem like they are too small for 4-6 chickens or would fall apart after a year in the Louisiana weather.

I agree with @nuthatched. I purchased a large formex and another coop - both premade. What a waste of time and money. Now I am converting a shed. Besides construction, here is what I see as issues with the pre-mades: 1: If they say 7-15 chickens (like my formex), it is really only good for 3-4. 2. Roosting bars too close together - pecking at night. 3. Not even close to enough space during waking time - if you need to have them in the coop during bad weather, etc.. 4. Even the extra large, do not have enough space from the top roosting bar to the top of the coop - my australorps can barely fit. 5. Too small to provide the right ventilation. When winds are high - I want to block where the chickens roost but want ventilation above this - nope, not with the pre-mades...for some reason most decided to put ventilation right at the roosting level. 6. Most are not walk-in.

 

[AmeliaBedelia]

Kit thread:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/ez-frame-chicken-coop-build.1559028/

I found that swinging cattle panel can make a super easy door. I copied the idea from res
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Oooo thanks for this!!! I am considering a hoop coop and the door had me intimidated. This looks much easier than most.

 

[rcm1201]

But if you just aren’t at all a DIY person, that’s fair. I would go back to my first suggestion of finding someone local who has good reviews to build it for you. And build bigger than you think you want - I suggest tall enough to walk in for sure so you aren’t crawling in at some point to catch a stubborn hen or clean the corners.

Thanks, I have been looking on local forums and found a couple handy men types that say they have experience building sheds and that a coop shouldn't be a problem. Appreciate the suggestion

 

[3KillerBs]

The Over EZ coops look very sturdy and well built to me. I admire them whenever I go to the feed store. But they are expensive. This one is 5’ X 6’2” and I think one could use it for 6 chickens. They come in different sizes and there is a smaller less expensive one. If they don’t have them at your local store, the website says they ship free….
https://overezchickencoop.com/

View attachment 3394199View attachment 3394205

Yes, OverEZ has a good reputation for being well-made -- just undersized for the number of birds they claim to hold and BADLY under-ventilated.

Thanks, I have been looking on local forums and found a couple handy men types that say they have experience building sheds and that a coop shouldn't be a problem. Appreciate the suggestion

If you don't want one of the Open Air style coops, this one was designed to meet all the minimums for a flock of 4 -- including the necessary ventilation for a hot climate: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-little-monitor-coop.76275/

It could be expanded to 4'x6' to house 6 birds if you enlarnged the access door and moved it to the wall opposite the nests, turning the roost to run longways.

Any larger than 4x6 you really want to be able to walk in. It's important to have access to every portion of the coop.

 

[Jeniferb]

I bought a pre-fab coop and certainly wished I made one from a shed instead. the cost would have been the same because of all the enhancements i needed to do to make it work for winter. i painted it, added all new hardware, shingle roof, and roost bars. I added a roof and insulation to the run so it would stay warm and dry since I live in snow. I also built a larger run attached to it. I can’t tell how often I was out there in the cold snowy storm fixing it.