Any advice re this possible coop?

[soniasilbert]

Hi there,

I'm thinking of asking this person to build us a coop because we're not going to do it ourselves in time: http://www.coopsmto.com/mid-sized.html I like the Midsized Design but it seems small for the 6-8 hens we're getting (though he says it could fit 10 hens) so I might increase the footprint but use the design. I also have questions about whether the measurements are inside or outside measurements. I'll fence in an additional larger area for the hens to go in during the days when we're around but our neighbors have had some predator problems without a roof, so the built in run is important to me.

Do you have any opinion on going this direction or other questions I should ask the builder before we commit? He claims it will be sturdy enough for VT weather.

Thank you for any thoughts you might share!

Sonia

 

[K0k0shka]

This is way too small for 6-8 hens. Don't listen to sellers/builders. Listen to people with chicken experience. Most people on here will tell you that it's too small, and that standard size chickens need 4 square feet of floor space per bird in the coop, and 10 in the run. This coop would be good for no more than 3 chickens. If you still want 6-8, ask the builder to make it bigger - big enough to give you 4 square feet per bird. And ask them to add plenty of ventilation. I don't see any in the pictures. Small coops are hard to ventilate properly, because there isn't enough clearance above the birds' heads to add vents. Ideally they'd have 1 square foot of vent area per bird (yes even in cold weather). So, the two most important things to keep in mind when looking for a coop is proper size and proper ventilation.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Looks to be sized for 2 full sized chickens.

Bummer cause it has cute factor.

For $600 it is WAY to small.

 

[Alaskan]

For VT you want more than 4 square feet per bird of coop space, OR a roofed fully protected from predators run (so can be kept open to the coop 24/7). Then the run can have wind blocks installed in the winter to keep out wind and snow.

Might be easiest to find a handyman /shed builder.

I have 2 coops that I made myself out of junk.... and one coop complex that I hired shed builders to build.

Yes, it was expensive. But it is well built, will last ages, and looks great.

 

[Alaskan]

Oh... and one issue with the cute little coops in snow county....

How will you find it mid winter????

Not sure how much snow VT gets... but anything more than 2 feet, and that coop will be buried.

A walk in coop is SO MUCH nicer.... you can run out there, jump into the coop, close the door behind you, then take a breath and enjoy your birds.

It is nasty to have to stand in sleet or blowing snow while you gather eggs and try to peek in at chickens.

Also a shed turned coop (if well built) can always be turned into something else... if at some point you no longer have chickens.

 

[Kiki]

Hi there,

I'm thinking of asking this person to build us a coop because we're not going to do it ourselves in time: http://www.coopsmto.com/mid-sized.html I like the Midsized Design but it seems small for the 6-8 hens we're getting (though he says it could fit 10 hens) so I might increase the footprint but use the design. I also have questions about whether the measurements are inside or outside measurements. I'll fence in an additional larger area for the hens to go in during the days when we're around but our neighbors have had some predator problems without a roof, so the built in run is important to me.

Do you have any opinion on going this direction or other questions I should ask the builder before we commit? He claims it will be sturdy enough for VT weather.

Thank you for any thoughts you might share!

Sonia

2 maybe 3 hens could fit in there.

 

[Cattle dog Mom]

Ask the builder WHY there is NO permanent ventilation. (Windons that can't be left 24/7/365 don't count! To be honest, I would be leary of ordering ANYTHING from a "coop builder" that doesn't have the space properly ventilated AND listed for the CORRECT number of chickens for the size of the coop. To me it says all they care about is the $! Not the health and well being of the chickens that will be living in it.

 

[K0k0shka]

Ask the builder WHY there is NO permanent ventilation. (Windons that can't be left 24/7/365 don't count! To be honest, I would be leary of ordering ANYTHING from a "coop builder" that doesn't have the space properly ventilated AND listed for the CORRECT number of chickens for the size of the coop. To me it says all they care about is the $! Not the health and well being of the chickens that will be living in it.

The problem with these builders selling coops (and there are a lot of them, especially out patrolling facebook groups or chicken forums) is that they are carpenters, not necessarily chicken keepers, and often they don't know much about chickens. They know how to build - which is great - but they don't understand the needs of the audience they're building for. They are indeed after the $, not necessarily maliciously so, just ignorantly so.

 

[Cattle dog Mom]

The problem with these builders selling coops (and there are a lot of them, especially out patrolling facebook groups or chicken forums) is that they are carpenters, not necessarily chicken keepers, and often they don't know much about chickens. They know how to build - which is great - but they don't understand the needs of the audience they're building for. They are indeed after the $, not necessarily maliciously so, just ignorantly so.

I never said it was malicious. But is still IS. If you are building and selling ANYTHING, IMO you should know what it needs and doesn't need. Otherwise you aren't doing anyone any "favors" other than yourself! Ignorance doesn't help the buyer nor the aniimals that are supposed to live in it. And sadly, many people that are new to chickens take the builder/sellers word for things because they don't know any better either. They often find out AFTER they have wasted their money that what they bought is not suitable.

 

[K0k0shka]

I never said it was malicious. But is still IS. If you are building and selling ANYTHING, IMO you should know what it needs and doesn't need. Otherwise you aren't doing anyone any "favors" other than yourself! Ignorance doesn't help the buyer nor the aniimals gthat are supposed to live in it.

I agree. Just like when you build a house, you have to look up the requirements and proper ways to do it. I just meant that some people might cut corners intentionally so they can push the product off to the buyer more easily, while others might genuinely have good intentions, but good intentions are usually not enough. Either way, beware when buying anything and know what the coop needs to have, don't trust that the seller will.