Anyone use this coop?

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Cryss

Cryss

Eggcentric
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I would love to build my own coop in spring but no one here has any carpentry skills. That's why I ended up with a small tractor supply coop. I could design my ideal coop but have no way to build it. I'm looking for alternatives. Does anyone have any experience with this coop? Con side... I don't think it will meet my desire for DL but not sure cuz I can't see inside. I would need to remove my current 10×10 chain link run complete with hardware cloth covering, put this in it's place with the current small coop inside it at the right front corner, remove the end panel, add that chain link run onto that. Then I'd hardware cloth cover this lower fence, apron it, and possibly hardware cloth the coop to prevent gnawing critters. Lot's of work but my girls need more room. I have 4, would like 2-4 more. Any thoughts? My current set up can be seen in this thread. https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/sand-as-litter.1209365/#post-19226121

Here's the one I'm considering. https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/producers-pride-defender-chicken-coop?cm_vc=-10005
 
This one is saying 12 birds, but in reality it could be smaller, keeping in mind that much of the time they include the nest boxes in the sqft. That said, I’ve heard on here that the biggest problem with these types of prefabs is the flimsy building materials. I think you may be better off with finding a used coop on Craig’s list or find a local farmer who builds them. I know there are a couple up by me who enjoy building and selling their coops.
 
From what I see of the specs, it's 4 x 5. that's only 20 s.f.. Maybe I'm missing something here, cause it looks bigger than that. Agreed with @Frazzemrat1 , that you may be able to find a locally built coop that would actually meet your needs. So, your max flock size is 8? I'd suggest you find someone to build a walk in 4 x 8 shed style to YOUR specs. You would get a good coop, it would be appropriate for DLM, and you would be providing local employment instead of subsidizing foreign manufactured junk. Perhaps, contact your local tech school? Also, these prefabs put way too much floor space into nest boxes. For 8 birds, you only need 2 boxes.

Also, you might consider a hoop coop. In the last 4 years, I've built a hoop coop, 2 tractors and a green house. If this 61 year old biddy can build stuff, it's not outside the capabilities of most people. A hoop coop can be built with very little construction skills.
 
Many prefab coops are known to be flimsy and even non predator proof. This one looks like it lacks adequate ventilation and keep in mind that when a prefab coop says a certain number of birds, you should divide that in half to get the actual number of birds it can house. Many prefab coops don't have roosts.
 
It does look nice and I like the storage area but IMHO (in my humble opinion), you aren't going to get more room for your chickens plus an additional 4 with that coop. The best I can tell from the specs it is about 3 1/2 by 4 1/2 foot. If that is the case, it won't hold more than 4 or 5 chickens.
I usually take pictures of these types of coops when I'm at the feed store because I can't believe how many chickens they claim the product can house. IMO, those prefab coops are made by carpenters with no knowledge of chickens.
All I can figure as to why they over exaggerate the number of birds they'll house is that they use the dimensions given to cage fowl on an egg farm.
It looks like it has 6 nest boxes. Even if it could house 12 chickens (which it can't) they wouldn't need that many.
For the 4 chickens it could house, they would only need one box or two if a broody is involved.

You can go through all the coops on the coop page and come up with your ideal coop, go on craigslist and hire an unemployed or moonlighting carpenter, give him the specs and you'll end up with the coop you need and want for less than $1,000.
 
It's only 4.75 feet long by 3 2/3 feet wide. Subtracting about a foot for the nest boxes makes it 2 2/3 feet wide. Giving you about 12.7 sq ft, adequate for 4 adult birds. And I don't see much ventilation aside from one very poorly placed window. No overhang on the roof means it will be difficult to add more vents.
The pen looks great. The coop, not so great.
Buy a shed kit. Hire a handyman to put it together. It will be cheaper and you and your flock will be happier.
 
Also, keep in mind that those are external dimensions. Knock off a couple inches on each side for internal measurements which is what your chickens will be dealing with.
 

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