I converted from a rotting kit-coop (that only lasted 2 years!) to an open-air coop this spring, and used a kit box kennel. It was extremely easy to set up and maintenance is basically just scraping poop off the roosts and adding some pine shavings to the nestbox occasionally. I found a 4'x8' sturdy box kennel for $200ish. I did have to take a corner off to go around a tree so lost 2'x4' of that space in the coop, but still enough for my 4 hens (6 when my babies join them in a couple months or so).
It was easy-peasy, just set it up and securely zip-tied chicken wire over the top to enclose safely. Perches are pruned fruit tree branches and 2"x4" lenths with hooks screwed into the ends.
I used a long storage tote for a next box, it's over 2 feet long. I screwed a 2"x4" to the back for reinforcement and to attach heavy-duty hooks, and a second, placed on its side as a spacer along the bottom so the nest box wouldn't sag. Unfortunately I don't know the model but it's RubberMaid and designed for stacking, open garage storage. In this photo you can see a bit of the opening. It's roomy enough for 2-3 hens at a time.
My hens have been in here for 5 months without issue here in my SF Bay area yard in California. This week I'm putting on the tarp roof before the rainy season starts (it generally doesn't rain May-October in my area), though they do have tree cover. If it gets cold or windy I may also put a plastic tarp along the long wall behind the nest box as well. It rarely dips down to freezing here.
I realize this isn't a feasible option for folks who get "real weather" but might be of interest as a seasonal coop. My hens love this and it's been so simple to just reach over the run gate to open and close the coop door at night and in the morning. You can see the fencing in front; the run extends around the sides of the coop about a foot wide on either side, then opens up to maybe another 80 square feet behind it with another little roost shelter. People often comment that they don't smell and I know it's because of all the ventilation (and several bags of sand and gravel on the coop and run floor!)
Here's a picture of my beautiful hens: Buff Orpington "Chickodemus," Cuckoo Marans "Hewegg," Silver-Laced Wyandotte "Eggmelia," and Partridge Cochin "Henora." Right now they're molting so imagine these chickens looking scruffy, with feathers all over the ground. :-D
It was easy-peasy, just set it up and securely zip-tied chicken wire over the top to enclose safely. Perches are pruned fruit tree branches and 2"x4" lenths with hooks screwed into the ends.
I used a long storage tote for a next box, it's over 2 feet long. I screwed a 2"x4" to the back for reinforcement and to attach heavy-duty hooks, and a second, placed on its side as a spacer along the bottom so the nest box wouldn't sag. Unfortunately I don't know the model but it's RubberMaid and designed for stacking, open garage storage. In this photo you can see a bit of the opening. It's roomy enough for 2-3 hens at a time.
My hens have been in here for 5 months without issue here in my SF Bay area yard in California. This week I'm putting on the tarp roof before the rainy season starts (it generally doesn't rain May-October in my area), though they do have tree cover. If it gets cold or windy I may also put a plastic tarp along the long wall behind the nest box as well. It rarely dips down to freezing here.
I realize this isn't a feasible option for folks who get "real weather" but might be of interest as a seasonal coop. My hens love this and it's been so simple to just reach over the run gate to open and close the coop door at night and in the morning. You can see the fencing in front; the run extends around the sides of the coop about a foot wide on either side, then opens up to maybe another 80 square feet behind it with another little roost shelter. People often comment that they don't smell and I know it's because of all the ventilation (and several bags of sand and gravel on the coop and run floor!)
Here's a picture of my beautiful hens: Buff Orpington "Chickodemus," Cuckoo Marans "Hewegg," Silver-Laced Wyandotte "Eggmelia," and Partridge Cochin "Henora." Right now they're molting so imagine these chickens looking scruffy, with feathers all over the ground. :-D
