Are there any good pre-fab coops?

[paintedChix]

That's hilarious I cannot believe that's an actual thing .

I remember a few yrs ago, when I first saw it. I thought "Really?"...

The homesteader i watched a handful of times - used Omelet coop/run tractor w/ 3-4 hens.

 

[ForFlocksSake]

We started with a prefab coop (snaplock by former). Its extremely easy to assemble, plastic, overpriced, too small for more Than 5 girls, and the nesting boxes are tight. However, once I learned about chicken math and we built an entire new setup I realized it's still completely useable for our nursery. I use it now for chicks and pullets before they are big enough to join the main flock. It's actually been great to have and since its plastic it doesn't wear down in the sun or weather.

 

[Raubkatze]

Here is my setup. We aren't 100% done with it, but we went with pre-fab for just about everything and then made modifications to those parts. I went with a Nestera coop for ease of maintenance and cleaning, and got the run off of Amazon for $400. We have added hardware cloth to the run, and the pavers to anchor the run and deter digging. I think I am $1200 into this project so far, with a few more final touches still to go.

 

[Sefirothe]

Here is my setup. We aren't 100% done with it, but we went with pre-fab for just about everything and then made modifications to those parts. I went with a Nestera coop for ease of maintenance and cleaning, and got the run off of Amazon for $400. We have added hardware cloth to the run, and the pavers to anchor the run and deter digging. I think I am $1200 into this project so far, with a few more final touches still to go.

You are gonna want to put some supports to the center roof pole of your run if you get snow.

 

[Raubkatze]

You are gonna want to put some supports to the center roof pole of your run if you get snow.

View attachment 4079666

Redoing the roof is on our todo list. It was already sagging under the 3 inches we got a couple of days ago.

 

[bluebeth]

If you have a friend that's handy this is a coop that's supper easy to build and cost me $250 in supplies from Lowes. The boards that you place in the middle is how you increase it in size. Mine is 48x 48 coop and 48x96 run. Took a couple of days painting the wood to match the house and then predrilling so I could build on site. Enough room for two 48"perches and three 15" nesting boxes. I did add a small vent at the top for ventilation. Picture not the one I built mine is grey with white trim. I also used 1/2 inch wire mesh not chicken wire.

This is the video the second site were the plans I used for the 48x94

https://www.ana-white.com/woodworking-projects/double-wide-modern-chicken-coop

 

[BDutch]

If you have a friend that's handy this is a coop that's supper easy to build and cost me $250 in supplies from Lowes. The boards that you place in the middle is how you increase it in size. Mine is 48x 48 coop and 48x96 run. Took a couple of days painting the wood to match the house and then predrilling so I could build on site. Enough room for two 48"perches and three 15" nesting boxes. I did add a small vent at the top for ventilation. Picture not the one I built mine is grey with white trim. I also used 1/2 inch wire mesh not chicken wire.

This is the video the second site were the plans I used for the 48x94

https://www.ana-white.com/woodworking-projects/double-wide-modern-chicken-coop

This design in the video is not okay.
The nestboxes are way too high and no real nest boxes. Bedding falls out immediately. There are more issues like the chicken wire and ventilation. Please look into the article section if you want to build your own.

Important. The small runs that come with a prefab or a small coop/run combination you build yourself are in general good to keep chickens secure for the night if you block the possibility to dig underneath wit hwc and tiles/bricks. Adding a bigger run for the day (or free ranging) is a must have with these small runs.

 

[briansol]

I lost track of this thread... sorry. been working on being a farmer and carpenter. lol

How'd I do?

I ended up with a pen-style enclosure and a prefab coop. It has basic chicken wire.
I wrapped the bottom 2' with hardware cloth, and went out 2' with it in an L-shape, and then put pavers/bricks all around it.

I have some more finishing touches to do, but the girls are out there this afternoon for the first time.

No eggs yet. they are born 2nd week of feb so i'm hoping by july?

We intend to free-range a bit when we are home/playing in the yard. They just went out today so i want them to get used to it first. Later, we'll let them roam a bit to get some more steps in.
We're a little weary on it due to hawks. We do have them occasionally, but they usually go for mice. not sure if they will take a chicken. Anyone use those 'ball' cages?

TODO -
finish going nuts with the zip ties. it can use some more. I have SS zipties on the hardware cloth and will add a bunch more.
- add more pavers. I have another pallet+ sitting on the other side of the yard, will bury most of the HC with them in the pattern i started at the front gate.

later this year
- get ready for winter.
- automatic door/solar panel to the coop so they stay warmer
- snow support beams?
- water bowls/heaters that wont freeze solid.
- better HD tarp

 

[SandyRiverChick]

That looks good on a temporary basis. For context this is my pre-fab. In my dining room with 3 babies for 1 week. Then I boot them out to my coop brooder, take the few screws out that hold this together and store it in my garage. That is all that it's good for. I would not use this outdoors. It grows mold outside, is not adequate space for more than 1 full size chicken (could be more if bantam,) the roost bar it comes with is not a roost bar, it's just not meant for chickens, rather hamsters, gerbils or guinea pigs. Just hoping that you wont get caught off guard when it's time to do more and hoping you haven't stopped thinking of a long term solution

 

[rosemarythyme]

I wrapped the bottom 2' with hardware cloth, and went out 2' with it in an L-shape, and then put pavers/bricks all around it.

Your pavers are undoing your apron effectiveness - the apron needs to extend 18-24" beyond the solid edge, in this case, the pavers, not the run fence. Better off removing the pavers and using landscape staples to secure the apron, or extend the apron even further.

We're a little weary on it due to hawks. We do have them occasionally, but they usually go for mice. not sure if they will take a chicken. Anyone use those 'ball' cages?

Even a small hawk can take a chicken in pieces, in their stomach.

There was a thread about those ball cages... https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/chicken-orbs.1524278/