Amish coops - Are they worth the money???

[BoltonChicken]

here's the pre fab I got last week so far I like it and the chicks seem happy.

PLEASE tell me that is not cedar boards inside that pre-fab!​

 

[mulewagon]

I think you should check out the individual company, their products and reputation. The word "Amish" isn't a trademark, so anybody can use it. And just being Amish doesn't turn somebody automatically into a top-quality crafter! Find out whether that particular company does thousand-dollar work on their coops...

(And if cost is an issue, don't forget that you'll still need a run, feeders, etc.)

 

[EweSheep]

Quote:
PLEASE tell me that is not cedar boards inside that pre-fab!

If the windows are open most of the time, cedar would be OK. Its the cedar bedding what's causing problems for poultry. It is so concentrated.

there are two different kind of cedars so it is not really that bad using them for building materials when you have plenty of ventalitions.

 

[cpwhip]

hi guys it's Fir and I am using straw for bedding.

 

[Horizon Structures]

Quote:
I see what you're saying, but there ARE true Amish companies with the capability to ship nationwide. We do. Also, for example, there's a furniture maker in Intercourse that has a sign in their lawn that they do too. The Amish are generally savvy businesspeople, and they want to make money and be successful like everyone else. If that means they have to ship a product, a lot of them will do it.

 

[Eggcellent Adventure]

Thanks so much for all the replies

! I did some more homework, visited and actually saw the sheds at lowes and home depot, talked to our handy man, etc and revisited the Amish coop place here again (Upstate NY) dealer. And VERY HAPPY to say, I negotiated a bit and got my dream Amish coop for a bit less than the asking price being delivered tomorrow. The materials at this place were really spectacular, we got a children's playhouse from the same place (Amish built again) and 11 years later still solid as a rock and like new even after the horrible snowy winter we have here. The dog house my handyman built 4 years ago is not the same shape. The price was hard to swallow, but I have to say I am so excited about it being done and here when I could really use it (the girls are gettin' big and just about to start laying)! I did make sure about the ventilation and roost bars as suggested, both were there in great shape. Will post pics when the girls move in tomorrow!

Thanks again!!

 

[MaggieO]

Other questions to consider: Is the coop designed for your climate? If not, is the coop -easily- adaptable as built--i.e. can you add ventilation, insulation, etc., without too much redesign? And, do you have the time and skills to build a quality coop? And arre you willing to use recycled or cut-price materials to cut costs?

We are currently in the middle of building a coop that is likely to cost us $1200+. That is for 6' x 5' coop + 6' x 7' run, a gravel foundation to deal with extreme freeze/thaw cycles for our MN climate, a strategy following the best advice for size, ventilation, cleaning, etc., traditional building methods including framing, insulation, sheathing, vapor barrier, siding + roofing--and I'm sure I'm forgetting something!

Anyway, to make a long story short: if I had known how much time and energy this project would have cost my husband and me, I would gladly have picked up the telephone and asked a few questions. We are not saving any money by doing it ourselves!

 

[crazeetxn]

Quote:
I personally don't think you'll be disappointed...

Course now that we know when it's being delivered, we expect pictures

 

[Kudzu]

Great, hope you enjoy it.

 

[Eggcellent Adventure]

They were delighted with the new digs today

! Funny thing is, they didn't roost in their old smaller coop. I thought it was just that they were a bit young and hadn't figured it out. But as soon as we put them in, they hopped right up! It was great too, I had 2 batches (a month apart) in smaller hutches who were free ranging together, but not cooped together. I took the opportunity with the "new" place to put them all in at once and everyone's peacefully getting along!