are these coops any good?

[Alex S]

So I found a coop on craigslist... I want to know your guy's opinion on if it's good or not.(If you have seen any of my other threads I'm obviously not set on a coop)

https://seattle.craigslist.org/kit/grq/d/vashon-extra-large-chicken-coop-with-run/7261861015.html

https://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/grd/d/everett-chicken-coop/7261702771.html

https://olympic.craigslist.org/grq/d/carlsborg-island-style-chicken-coop/7261663758.html

 

[Alex S]

How many birds are you planning on housing? The coops look pretty small. Have you thought of building your own?
@black_cat @aart

I have but I was sent the link to these and I wanted to make sure that they were bad prefab coops so I could tell my family that

 

[Dottie the Chicken]

How many birds are you planning on housing? The coops look pretty small. Have you thought of building your own?
@black_cat @aart

 

[MGG]

They all look pretty cheapy, none of them will stand up to a predator attack, and you'll have to buy/build a new one in 2 years max when they fall apart anyway.
For how many birds?

 

[nuthatched]

For$900, I could fly up there and build you a really nice coop! The first and third ones aren't bad but for $900 (!) , they won't protect your girls or last more than 3 years.

 

[Ursuline Chick]

IMHO it is always best to build your own coop, check the articles section for coop articles.
Always build way bigger than you think you need for the number of birds you plan to keep.
Good Luck with your project

 

[Aunt Angus]

Actually, I'm hoping to build a 4x8 chicken coop! Do you know what plans you used? Also is to safe to free range with no fence?

Oh! Lemme see what I can find! Gimme a few minutes...

Free ranging is a gamble. I live in the woods. I have all kinds of predators: coyote, foxes, hawks, raccoons, bobcat, owls, skunks, eagles, possum, and the occasional mountain lion and bear. And I am one of those crazy chicken ladies who can't fathom the idea of losing one of her chickens. My run is a roofed dog kennel. But they have a fenced chicken yard (electric fence), and I let them on our property for a few closely supervised hours every day. My rooster does a good job alerting us to threats, but I watch closely. I am a veritable livestock guardian human. I don't mess around.

But free ranging is good for the chickens in a lot of ways - good diet, lots of exercise, living like a chicken should. It's a personal choice, and everyone will tell you something different if you ask their opinion. I just can't bring myself to do it. I feel responsible for them.

 

[RojoMarz]

How much do you think this would cost to make? https://www.construct101.com/chicken-coop-run-plans-10x8/

I'd say make a list of the required materials, and go to HomeDepot/Lowe's type store and price it out. Material prices can vary greatly by location. We just bought 2x4's and paid $6 a piece.

 

[aart]

First and third are urbannorthern think there are many warnings about that company.
They are all small.

 

[nuthatched]

Yeah, I found the Diy Palace Coop and it's $2000. Just asking, are Carolina coops quality?

Is that a company? I've never heard of them. There are hundreds of coops in that section that cost much less, depending where you source your materials, you can be under $300 but if you have the budget, go right ahead.
All you need is 4 walls, a way for you to get in, a way for them to get in, ( if its the same way, ok) ventilation, weather proof and predator proof.
I use 2x2 for framing and exterior siding for walls, or plywood with heavy duty weather sealant. Check craigslist, thrift stored, habit for humanity Restores for material.