Any experience with: Coops & Feathers Universal Pen (SKU 221-75)

[chicken1234]

I've found the wood they use in the kits to be very flimsy pine or fir wood and they don't last. Even the hardware cloth is a weak gauge. If you were going to use it inside a garage or barn it might be good but the wood rots fast in the weather unless the wood and HC is a better quality, I'd find that out. I know here Home Depot will cut wood for you and deliver. You could get some 8ft 2x2's or better yet 2x4's and make something cheaper and much stronger. You could just do a slant roof to avoid all the angle cuts. I just ordered 50ft of 1/2" hardware cloth off of Amazon for $100. I look forward to seeing what you get!

 

[Ginmary]

I am just so desperate to get the chickens out of the house.
Background (sorry, this is going to be a bit long)
I have 1 Buff Orpington, 1 Americauna, 2 silkies, and 3 Seramas (who don't mix with the big girls since one of them is a roo who is very protective.) I have a coop outside that we got at TS and put together. It looks too small for the 4 girls to be in for too long. Plus we (me and my 23 yr old DD) when we got the chix hadn't found this site yet and I didn't know about the gazillion creatures that want to eat chickens.

We are in the process of moving to this house and are only there on weekends and one night in the middle of the week (to check on the chix) so, the coop/run has to be big enough for them to be comfortable for a few days at a time. We only let them free range when we are there with them. (lots of hawks and buzzards in Jackson NJ.

I thought a run that is about 13x7 would be big enough for 4 hens. That's 91sq feet or about 23 sq feet per hen if I figured right.

I would love to build one but I don't know if I could do it myself.

The next problem is the Seramas. I may want to get something to keep them inside for the winter or in something next to the big girls so that some day they can all be together.

Hindsight: I should have researched this all before getting the chicks. But it was chick season and we got hooked!!!

 

[Ginmary]

I wish this was like in the olden days when they had barn raisers! I could get all the supplies and have a coop/run raising. I'd supply the burgers and beer and ziti (we're Italian, it's required)

 

[paneubert]

I wish this was like in the olden days when they had barn raisers! I could get all the supplies and have a coop/run raising. I'd supply the burgers and beer and ziti (we're Italian, it's required)

You can still do this. Is there a "local"/town facebook group? Post on there that you need 5-10 teenagers for a certain weekend date and that you pay in ziti/pizza/whatever plus a little cash. Or beer.....under the table.

 

[Mimi13]

You can still do this. Is there a "local"/town facebook group? Post on there that you need 5-10 teenagers for a certain weekend date and that you pay in ziti/pizza/whatever plus a little cash. Or beer.....under the table.

She just wants a coop/run built, not go to jail.

 

[Ginmary]

Lol...or a lawsuit because they are horsing around with the power tools! I would never hire anyone but an experienced adult.

Disclaimer: Not to say all teens aren’t responsible or capable but it is very risky to deal with ones you do not know.

I’m afraid if I were to try to hire an adult they would charge more than if I were to go out and buy the run!

 

[rosemarythyme]

Well if it's just for 4 birds I'd say it's big enough. If you want something more sturdy and are willing to make alterations (like adding small opening wire and an apron), a covered dog kennel would be my recommendation. Not terribly expensive in comparison and a 10x10 size would suit 4 birds just fine.

 

[Ginmary]

I have been trying to find some simple plans for a 10x10 run (or similar size) but am only finding ones with the coop built in. If anyone knows of a link to one without the coop, please share. Thanks

 

[paneubert]

I have been trying to find some simple plans for a 10x10 run (or similar size) but am only finding ones with the coop built in. If anyone knows of a link to one without the coop, please share. Thanks

What sort of shape? Just a box? Honestly the easiest way is to just go buy some 8 foot, 10 foot, or 12 foot "2 by 4's" and then make a really simple frame. Box on the ground, some verticals, then a box for the roof with some horizontal "2 by 4's" to support the roof covering. Hardware cloth all over it, or possibly add some solid roofing on a slope so that rain rolls off. Height depends on how tall you are. If you want it to be a little beefier, use 4 by 4 posts for the verticals.

 

[emrya]

What sort of shape? Just a box? Honestly the easiest way is to just go buy some 8 foot, 10 foot, or 12 foot "2 by 4's" and then make a really simple frame. Box on the ground, some verticals, then a box for the roof with some horizontal "2 by 4's" to support the roof covering. Hardware cloth all over it, or possibly add some solid roofing on a slope so that rain rolls off. Height depends on how tall you are. If you want it to be a little beefier, use 4 by 4 posts for the verticals.

we just did this yesterday for a 10x20 run. height of verticals was 6', everything else was 10' pieces. we added some support bracing at the bottom to try and get it less cockeyed, but otherwise it was simple enough!