Amazon.com Pre-Fab Coops

[heyheypaula]

Hello everyone!

I have wanted to own a few chickens for a while now and am finally in the housing position to be able to do so and I am SO excited!
I am borrowing an incubator from a friend and will be receiving eggs next week! Hopefully if all goes well I'll be a chicken owner in March! I've been doing a lot of reading on the incubating and hatching forum here, haha

My original plan was to acquire a coop from Amazon.com BUT since I have been researching coops and chickens etc, I now realize this might not be the best idea since they don't appear to be the best quality. My problem is that I asked for amazon gift cards for christmas from my family and (5!) sisters and therefore received quite a few of them. I think the easiest (and most economical) thing to do would be to buy a coop and up-grade it a little once it gets here? What do you all think? I am looking into this coop since I only plan on having a couple bantam hens and a couple full size hens. It seems to be the most practical in terms of size, ventilation and cleaning. I am also located in NY State so it gets pretty cold here in the winter! Could I insulate it a little? Add shingles? Please keep in mind that I am not handy in any sense of the word and do not own any tools beyond the basics - hammer, nails, screwdriver... I am willing to learn and try however and would appreciate any suggestions anyone has!
Thank you!

http://www.amazon.com/Backyard-Outd...TF8&colid=1AETBFS0XYMOX&coliid=I2MCV12P71BVJJ

 

[heyheypaula]

Here's a picture of the coop in question!

 

[Pancholoco]

I don't know from what part of NY are you, but first thing I do, it's search on CL. I was lurking on NY CL and I found a lot of used ones for reasonable prices.

Good luck.

 

[c2chicks]

My coop is a lot like yours. We put a couple coats of paint on the roofs (it's a must!). We have only 3 hens--the size is good and it's really easy to clean. They do have a large, uncovered run, I don't think the little "run" is enough space for full time use. I have an inch of sweet pdz in the tray, every morning I shake everything through a colander and dump into the compost. I thought it would be easier to keep the floor of the little pen dry, as sometimes they're stuck in there if it's raining/snowing really hard. We tried a few things (ground water seeped up, making our sand wet and it wouldn't dry out. We finally ended up building (from plywood and 2x4's ) a wood tray. We set it up on some bricks, filled it with sand and everything is perfect! My husband has offered to build me a "real" coop, but this is so easy for me to keep clean, I'm going to keep it. I'm not allowed to have any chickens where I live, (we have great neighbors) so I'm really happy with small and easy. BTW, I'm in NE Ohio, plenty of snow and cold. We didn't insulate and don't use heat. They have been fine and have been laying all winter.

 

[tadpole98]

it only holds 4 large chickens, which isnt very many. I would build a slightly larger house (you could build one for 100) and be able to let a broody hen hatch some out later or something. And always look on craigslist before amazon, they sometimes have AMAZING deals! i bought a new coop that was painted and is in perfect shape (electricity and everything) for 225 (holds 10). I am using it for a grow out pen, so 20 little dudes.

 

[JOSEPHC]

Welcome to the wonderful world of raising backyard chickens. May I offer some advice from an incredible salesman, Zig Ziglar. It is always better to spend a little bit more than you can, for you will get something a little bit better. You see, the coop you are looking at is very attractive from a price standpoint; $280.00 including shipping. However, you will be restricted to two , full size chickens. The run is terribly small as well.The history of these imports having leaking problems is well documented. You will need to reinforce the structure after a year or two. Is the hardware cloth "chicken wire" or 1/2' hardware?
My suggestion is to look at : My Pet Chicken who has 3-4 different manufacturers who are reputable. They have a model similar to the one you are looking at, but look at the difference in theirs and yours.

Also, look at Green Chicken Coop, Horizon Structures, Sheds Unlimited, Coops 4 U (New York),Clark Farm (Ct.) Agway, etc.Yes, you may spend twice the $280.00, but you will have a quality product. We all try to save on purchases and get the best product for the money, but sometimes spending a little is like throwing it away because you may need to replace the product soon after the initial purchase.

 

[Chook Chick]

Hello HHP.....

I was looking at the same coop on Amazon as you are; for me the price is right. I've been looking around for coops on Craig's List and there are a few, but here in Colorado they are pretty darned expensive, plus no one seems to want to deliver. I have no way to get a coop home. I am a 'handy' kind of gal so with the help of my son I can put it together, but yes, the run does appear to be a bit small. I have a fairly large sized backyard but also have a variety of predators (stray cats, hawks, skunks and owls...haven't seen any raccoons....YET) so I want them in an enclosed run.

I am only going to have 3-4 hens, so this size may work. I have been told that although it gets pretty cold here, the chickens will do fine, staying huddled together. You want to watch their combs however as they can be vulnerable to frostbite....(so I've been told).

I do have the good fortune to have a neighbor that lives up on the corner from me (I live just outside the city limits but in a suburban area) and he has 2 hens and a huge tom turkey. His name is Dave and he builds coops!! He has offered to build one for me for a reasonable price and work with me on payments. WHOOT!

So I think that's the route I'm going to go. He's going to build me a "tractor" coop so I can move it if necessary. I have a 17' x 6' dog run (no dog) that I am going to fortify with chicken wire and they can jaunt around in there....I just have to figure out how to join the coop to the run as it is made of chain link fencing.

Good luck!!

 

[heyheypaula]

I don't know from what part of NY are you, but first thing I do, it's search on CL. I was lurking on NY CL and I found a lot of used ones for reasonable prices.

Good luck.

Thank you! I have been looking around on Craigslist (and will continue to do so) but I am hoping since I have so much money in amazon cards that I can buy a coop and then spend another $100 or so fixing it up a little and creating a larger run.

 

[heyheypaula]

My coop is a lot like yours. We put a couple coats of paint on the roofs (it's a must!). We have only 3 hens--the size is good and it's really easy to clean. They do have a large, uncovered run, I don't think the little "run" is enough space for full time use. I have an inch of sweet pdz in the tray, every morning I shake everything through a colander and dump into the compost. I thought it would be easier to keep the floor of the little pen dry, as sometimes they're stuck in there if it's raining/snowing really hard. We tried a few things (ground water seeped up, making our sand wet and it wouldn't dry out. We finally ended up building (from plywood and 2x4's ) a wood tray. We set it up on some bricks, filled it with sand and everything is perfect! My husband has offered to build me a "real" coop, but this is so easy for me to keep clean, I'm going to keep it. I'm not allowed to have any chickens where I live, (we have great neighbors) so I'm really happy with small and easy. BTW, I'm in NE Ohio, plenty of snow and cold. We didn't insulate and don't use heat. They have been fine and have been laying all winter.

The wood tray is a great idea! I will definitely implement that when I set up the coop (if I buy it). I figured I'd have to paint it for looks and function. How is the roof? Do you need to put shingles on it? Would that help with anything? Would you mind posting a picture of your set up if you have any? Thank you!

 

[heyheypaula]

it only holds 4 large chickens, which isnt very many. I would build a slightly larger house (you could build one for 100) and be able to let a broody hen hatch some out later or something. And always look on craigslist before amazon, they sometimes have AMAZING deals! i bought a new coop that was painted and is in perfect shape (electricity and everything) for 225 (holds 10). I am using it for a grow out pen, so 20 little dudes.

I agree 4 hens is not very many but I don't live in an area where I could realistically have many more than that anyways. Unfortunately I don't think I have the skills or abilities (or tools!) to build a legitimate coop but I do plan on building a much larger run if I do purchase the coop I have in mind. That doesn't seem TOO difficult, I hope haha. I will continue to check craigslist but it would be nice if I could use all my gift cards too!