build or buy?

[NancyNurseCxMama]

I'm with the majority , build one. But your going to need a few more dollars. I just finished a 8x8 with a 8x16 run. So far i'm about $800.00 dollars into it and I'm not done. Close but there's a few more dollars to finish the details. View attachment 1117967

That looks very nice!!

 

[dunnmom]

Yep, building is good. You can keep costs down by using reclaimed materials, as others have suggested. We built our coop, run, and got it predator proofed for about $350, using some wood from throw away fence panels we got from a fencing company. The metal hardware we bought new, and the wood for the main supports. Converting a shed or playhouse may be cheaper, but it depends in how fancy you want to go, and what free materials you can scrounge from your area. Great way to recycle stuff!

 

[jeria]

I'm up to about 600.00 planned on about $200. Building mine. was hoping to find something to re-cycle, no luck. I have lots of coons, so have to make it secure and also off an on 60+ mph winds so sturdy. Never built a building before so it has been a learning experience.

 

[anatess]

Built my 10x4 coop and run myself for about $300. I've never built anything before. So, mine isn't at all fancy.

I had a a coop I bought for $200 and it was very flimsy. I ended up selling the thing to some lady on Facebook Swip Swap.

View attachment 1118031

 

[Toothpick]

I got 6 chickens early this year and bought a coop that was supposed to hold 8 chickens from Tractor Supply Company. Local store in town. So got the chicks and the coop all in the same spot. Being a novice I thought I would start with something basic and easy. Now that I'm a more experienced chicken owner I wish I would have built a better coop from the get-go.

The coop I got has worked fine but I've discovered I want to walk around inside of it for easy cleaning. And the chickens need more room. No way 8 chickens would be comfortable in this thing for an extended period of time. Plus it's cheaply made. I'll be lucky if it makes it through this winter. I've had to staple some wood back on already.

For $200 I suppose it wasn't bad, and it gets the job done. But If I had to do it over knowing what I know now, I would have built my own from the start.

This is what I have now. And a larger 8x10 shed is being built today.
https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/p...se-chicken-coop-up-to-8-chickens?cm_vc=-10005

 

[Parront]

I'm with the majority , build one. But your going to need a few more dollars. I just finished a 8x8 with a 8x16 run. So far i'm about $800.00 dollars into it and I'm not done. Close but there's a few more dollars to finish the details. View attachment 1117967

Looks like a million bucks! What a good job on $800, as is!

 

[Parront]

My first coop I enclosed an existing horse shelter. I used plywood around the 4x4 structure. I had a chain link fence around my yard, then chicken wire yard around the house. Dogs came in yard almost every night once I got the chickens in the house. I put rocks and wire around the chain link, they just pushed and dug in another spot. They dug into the house, I put a cement floor. The cement and locking them up every night helped, but then they came in the daytime!
Now that I have learned about electric fencing, that is what I am using the next coop. I was at a Bed and Breakfast on Widby Island and they had chickens. I was worried, because I had a Brittany, and she wanted those chickens. The owner said, "Go ahead and let her run, she won't get the chickens." When I let the dog loose, she made a beeline for that chicken run. When the nose made contact, what a show! A mid-air U-Turn. She would not even look in the direction of those chickens, all week. She was not harmed, but she learned she did not want those chickens!
You can have a lighter built hen house if you use electric fence. It is worth the cost, I think.

 

[aart]

We are looking for our first coop and while I can build one, the idea of buying one seems to be in the back of my mind.

Right now we have 4 chicks and plan to get at least 2 more, maybe 4 (total of 8)

THe run is the easy part, I can add on to any pre built one. are there any off the shelf that the coop itself is a good deal, maybe under 200 (250 max) and that will be good for 6 to 8 chickens.

First, welcome to BYC!

You've already heard the bad news, so I won't repeat it.

What is your location? You can put it in your profile.
Climate can play a big part in what you need for a coop.

 

[Ursuline Chick]

Welcome, from New Orleans. We built ourselves, took 1 weekend and access to used wooden fencing and plywood from a contruction site, as well as, stuff around the house. Only had to buy Heavy duty chicken fencing. Check the coop section on this site. Lots of good ideas. The chickens don't care what it looks like as long as they are safe. Although I do like the look of the weathered wooden fencing. Check what you need for your area to keep your chickens safe. Good luck, and let us know how your coop comes out.

 

[EmmsHens]

Thank you everyone for your replies.

To clear some things up. We live in southern California so our winters are mild and our summers are warm.

Everyone sort of confirmed what I already thought. the 200 budget was not really a total budget but what I was willing to pay for a pre built one vs when I thought I'd build my own.

With 8 hens I was thinking 4'x8' coop size with a run of about 16x8. We will free range when we are home and can watch them but when we are out at work we will have them in the pen.

Thanks everyone!