best coop kits

[Urbanhens]

Hi there! Since there is a wood shortage, it has been difficult to get the materials to build our own coop. So now we are looking into purchasing a kit to assemble. What companies/coops do you recommend for coops that are predator-deterrent, durable, long-lasting, and good for three or four hens in a suburban neighborhood? (San Jose, California) Thanks in advance!

 

[black_cat]

Personally, I wouldn't recommend a chicken coop. It's super great that you wanted to build one! With prefabs, you want to get the biggest one possible, because they are tiny. Don't be fooled by how many chickens they say can fit. Standard size chickens need 3-5 square feet each in the coop, and 7-10 in the run, so at minimum for four chickens your henhouse should be 12 square feet (not including nesting boxes) and your run should be 28 square feet. Your other option is to get something that's pre built, but an ACTUAL coop. They are often very well built, and well expensive, have little to no hassle and will last a long time. Here's a good site with lots of options, and many locations: https://www.thehenhousecollection.com/wooden-chicken-coops/ For other options, you can probably search 'custom sheds near me' or 'custom chicken coops near me' to find things along the same lines. I'd recommend for a permanent coop, getting something that will fit more chickens than you ordered. That way, you have space to expand your flock, and if you don't, you won't have space concerns. You can also modify a shed or a dog kennel to have a good sized coop.

 

[eaking]

We got ours from MyPetChicken and got additional run. It's been great so far. https://www.mypetchicken.com/catalo...bhouse-Coop-w-Run-up-to-4-chickens-p1167.aspx

It will not accommodate more than 4 grown hens and it works for us because they free range during the day. If you're considering more than that I'd go with something larger. We stained ours and added cameras and locks throughout.

 

[Mamatomany123]

We got ours from MyPetChicken and got additional run. It's been great so far. https://www.mypetchicken.com/catalo...bhouse-Coop-w-Run-up-to-4-chickens-p1167.aspx

It will not accommodate more than 4 grown hens and it works for us because they free range during the day. If you're considering more than that I'd go with something larger. We stained ours and added cameras and locks throughout.

Hate to break it to you but that coop should not have more than 1 bird in it. You're giving them each 1 sq ft when each bird should have 4 sq ft

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Have you tried to buy a shed kit andfence a run with it?

 

[eaking]

Hate to break it to you but that coop should not have more than 1 bird in it. You're giving them each 1 sq ft when each bird should have 4 sq ft

Ours free range. All they do is sleep in the coop.

 

[Mamatomany123]

Ours free range. All they do is sleep in the coop.

Free ranging can maybe make up for the lack of space if the run is small. 1 sq ft in the coop can result in fighting, sleeping in the nesting boxes, and death.

 

[aart]

Hate to break it to you but that coop should not have more than 1 bird in it. You're giving them each 1 sq ft when each bird should have 4 sq ft

Ditto Dat.

Ours free range. All they do is sleep in the coop.

Even 'just for sleeping', it's small and under ventilated.
..and there will come a time when they need to be confined.

 

[aart]

Have you tried to buy a shed kit.....?

Yes, best suggestion.

 

[DaisyG2317]

The only prefab coop that seems like it is any good is the Over E-Z coop. It does need more ventilation in it, and they of course over estimate the bird amounts but not nearly as bad as the other prefabs. When you order it, it comes on a pallet, all you have to do is assemble the walls together.