Bought a Hanover Outdoor Elevated Wooden Chicken Coop with review

Boarding00n

In the Brooder
Oct 12, 2020
24
22
37
Hartford, CT
So, I live in the city, cousin of mine bought me a chicken for my b-day about 3 weeks later I bought a chick so the chicken wouldn't be alone. As for the surprise of getting a chicken out of the blue, I contacted my parents about a large dog cage I knew they had in their shed. It was a 48in L x 30in W x 30ish H, I than removed the door at one end and built a wooden roosting box for her to play eggs. As for the chick, I had her in a mediumish rabbit cage which was fine until she hit her growth spurt. I googled, coops, checked many sites, and read lots of reviews. After almost 2 weeks of researching I found that this coop would be best based on the dimensions, I was going to have to make some modifications for my setup, as you will see in the pictures, I added a floor and some paneling along the side to reduce the mess they would make. Now, after having it in place, I realized I had to make at least one major modification. The run space under the house part is truly not enough for a chicken to walk around comfortably and its very obvious once you have the chickens in there. So, as you will see with the pictures, I use some 2x4's and lifted it up about 5.5 inches and now they are much more comfortable, though I might even lift it up more to be honest.

Now as for the item it's self. I paid 188.99 on sale the week of thanksgiving. So the price isn't bad and when I compared dimensions with other cheaper and more expensise coups, overall design, this for me was the best option. The material is fine, its not oak but it is sturdy and does the job. All the holes are predrilled and I predrilled for my modifications as well. The latches on the doors did not align perfectly, they worked but needed a little wiggle, I simply unscrewed on side, lined it up better and fixed that. The nest box hinged roof has a slight gap, but that can be fixed by lifting the nesting box up with some 1/4in strips of wood. (didnt do that yet but I will)

Now, again. I do live in the city, so I have this in my back porch haha they are pretty damn quite but in a lot of cities, you are allowed 6 or less chickens if i recall. I do have access to the backyard, so I do take them out a few times a week for an hour or so.

And yes, I built this in my living room :)
 

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So, I live in the city, cousin of mine bought me a chicken for my b-day about 3 weeks later I bought a chick so the chicken wouldn't be alone. As for the surprise of getting a chicken out of the blue, I contacted my parents about a large dog cage I knew they had in their shed. It was a 48in L x 30in W x 30ish H, I than removed the door at one end and built a wooden roosting box for her to play eggs. As for the chick, I had her in a mediumish rabbit cage which was fine until she hit her growth spurt. I googled, coops, checked many sites, and read lots of reviews. After almost 2 weeks of researching I found that this coop would be best based on the dimensions, I was going to have to make some modifications for my setup, as you will see in the pictures, I added a floor and some paneling along the side to reduce the mess they would make. Now, after having it in place, I realized I had to make at least one major modification. The run space under the house part is truly not enough for a chicken to walk around comfortably and its very obvious once you have the chickens in there. So, as you will see with the pictures, I use some 2x4's and lifted it up about 5.5 inches and now they are much more comfortable, though I might even lift it up more to be honest.

Now as for the item it's self. I paid 188.99 on sale the week of thanksgiving. So the price isn't bad and when I compared dimensions with other cheaper and more expensise coups, overall design, this for me was the best option. The material is fine, its not oak but it is sturdy and does the job. All the holes are predrilled and I predrilled for my modifications as well. The latches on the doors did not align perfectly, they worked but needed a little wiggle, I simply unscrewed on side, lined it up better and fixed that. The nest box hinged roof has a slight gap, but that can be fixed by lifting the nesting box up with some 1/4in strips of wood. (didnt do that yet but I will)

Now, again. I do live in the city, so I have this in my back porch haha they are pretty damn quite but in a lot of cities, you are allowed 6 or less chickens if i recall. I do have access to the backyard, so I do take them out a few times a week for an hour or so.

And yes, I built this in my living room :)
That's a great price...I paid $300 for mine.
They are not raccoon proof though, if you have it on your back porch or is it located in an enclosed porch?
 
That's a great price...I paid $300 for mine.
They are not raccoon proof though, if you have it on your back porch or is it located in an enclosed porch?

I have it in a back porch that's actually inclosed and my apartment is on the 3rd floor. They are not big fans of walking down the 3 flights of stairs to go outside but have no issue with walking up the 3 flights back up.
 
Welcome, @Boarding00n! I'm just down the road from you in Middletown. What did you name your hens?

Thank ya, yeah not far at all!

In all honesty, they dont have official names lol I do call them my little bi*ches but in Portuguese LMAO
Has to come naturally and there hasnt been any names to jump out! They aren't complaining yet lol

What names do you have for yours?
 
That is neat to have chickens on your apartment porch! I don’t know if I am brave enough to think to have chickens in apartments or townhome style living. 😝

The way I am doing it might not be an idea most people will think of, especially being in a apartment let alone on the 3rd floor. Biggest issue is the landlord not allowing it but I do not have that issue here.
As for a townhouse, you would be able to do whatever you want on your side of the property. would your neighbors get upset maybe if they are they tight arses! lol
really the most important thing is, keeping up with the cleaning and maintaining things.
 

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