Best prefab for 6 chickens

[foLk]

Any good ones out there?

 

[ChickenLeg]

There are some amish built ones that are real nice, facebook market place and sometimes craigslist has some nice prebuilt ones too, much better than anything from the store or amazon

 

[black_cat]

From what I've found, the best prefab is no prefab, unless you're willing to pay a lot of money.

A lot of Amish built ones are nice. Most custom shed companies near me also sell some nice coops.

There's also this one:
https://www.mypetchicken.com/catalo...en-Coop-Plus-Run-up-to-20-chickens-p1790.aspx

It says up to 20, but it will actually fit six quite nicely.


I really like these runs, as well: https://www.omlet.us/shop/chicken_keeping/walk_in_chicken_run/

But NOT their coops.

 

[black_cat]

Sometimes homemade is the best way to go. Some of my favorites are these:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/upcycled-swing-set-to-chicken-coop.72964/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-chicken-condo.64203/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/loveland-wichita-knockoff.63238/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/coop-de-la-villes-chicken-coop.48414/

 

[CHlCKEN]

I really like these runs, as well: https://www.omlet.us/shop/chicken_keeping/walk_in_chicken_run/

But NOT their coops.

Those runs are magic and the most predator proof stuff you can buy. I have two. The coops though are just crap and SO small.

 

[black_cat]

If you get an amish coop and an omlet run, it's expensive but you'd be good to go. You could probably get one of the larger runs and just put the whole coop inside.

 

[3KillerBs]

Carolina Coops cost a fortune, but they've got a good reputation for being well-made.

Some "Amish" type coops are well-made, but you will always have to add more ventilation.

ALL prefabs claim to hold more chickens than they actually hold since the numbers are based on legal minimums for commercial chickens.

The Usual Guidelines

For each adult, standard-sized hen you need:

• 4 square feet in the coop (.37 square meters)
• 10 square feet in the run (.93 square meters),
• 1 linear foot of roost (.3 meters),
• 1/4 of a nest box,
• And 1 square foot (.09 square meters) of permanent, 24/7/365 ventilation, preferably located over the birds' heads when they're sitting on the roost.

For 6 hens:

• 24 square feet in the coop. 4'x6' is the only really practical build for this given the common dimensions of lumber. If you can't walk into it, put the access door in the middle of the long side to make sure you can reach all areas of the coop because a stubborn chicken WILL press itself into/lay an egg in the back corner where you can't reach.
• 6 feet of roost
• 60 square feet in the run. 6'x10' or 8'x8'.
• 6 square feet of ventilation.
• 2 nest boxes, to give the hens a choice

Be careful, sometimes they give the measurements including the nestboxes. Don't be fooled.

 

[Aunt Angus]

I swear by converted sheds. They're usually cheaper than prefabs. Just add ventilation, a 2x4 roost, and a couple of nest boxes. Voila!

I used a 4x8 vinyl shed for a spell when I was between permanent coops. I added hardware cloth over the windows and a 2x4. It was great. I had 8 chickens at the time.

As aforementioned, Craigslist and Marketplace are great sources! Shoot - pppkhave used playhouses and large doghouses, too.

 

[foLk]

Thanks for all the tips guys !