Build or Buy?

[chickenmomma16]

Whichever you decide, prefabricated or DIY (you’ve got some great advice so far), my .02 is to *go as big as you can afford*! Even for only 3 hens like you plan, you will be glad they have plenty of space and if down the road you decide you would like to add a couple more hens, say, after your girls get a few years old and slow down laying, you will have the room to integrate new layers or separate them if one gets sick. And wether you build or buy don’t bother with chicken wire, use hardware cloth. It’s way more expensive but worth every penny in safety. Have 1/2in x 1/2in or 1/4in x 1/4in holes.

 

[Maya Vance]

Thanks!

 

[Maya Vance]

But seriously, if you're only getting 3 birds, most prefab coops will suit your needs just fine. Most of them are 8-16sqft, which is perfect for 3 birds.

But you should be aware that your 3-chicken-deal isn't set in stone. I know a lot of people who put all their bets on "I need THESE EXACT THREE OR FOUR birds!" and then were sorely disappointed and flipping out when either A) they couldn't get them in such small numbers or B) one died/got sick/was a boy, or c) one was a bully that needed rehoming, etc. So take care with that. And also bear in mind, with the collection of 3 chickens, you will probably want more. A bigger coop will only give you chickens a nicer house if you never get more birds, or will put you ahead of the game if you DO want more birds.

Well, my chicks are being given to me from a program and this year they are doing those three breeds so..........

 

[jreardon1918]

You could do both. Buy a prefab with a goal of turning it into an isolation coop or brooder for the future. That would allow for rookie mistakes on a small scale. I spent a lot to build what I thought was the ultimate. (coop article in my profile) Now I see many faults. Just figured out why my flat roof on the run was always so leaky. Fixed it yesterday. The rain today is now staying out of the run. The experience owning chickens has educated me as to what is really needed.

 

[Cryss]

I will be getting 3 chickens : A sapphire gem, a Cinnamon queen, and an easter egger.

Are you sure they are all female? And just so you know up front, you are gonna fall in love and want more. Plan accordingly.

use hardware cloth. It’s way more expensive but worth every penny in safety. Have 1/2in x 1/2in or 1/4in x 1/4in holes.

Use the 1/2 inch hardware cloth. The 1/4 inch stuff has smaller holes BUT is thinner wire, easier to be ripped by a predator.

 

[Aunt Angus]

The experience owning chickens has educated me as to what is really needed.

TRUTH.

 

[allymcshop]

I REALLY NEED ANOTHER COOP BADLY BUT THERE ISN'T TOO MUCH PRODUCT OUT NOW. I DON'T KNOW WHAT QUALITY I AM REALLY GETTING. CAN SOMEONE HELP ME FIND A COOP WHICH IS THE BEST BUY FOR THE BEST QUALITY FOR 10 HENS?

 

[Aunt Angus]

I REALLY NEED ANOTHER COOP BADLY BUT THERE ISN'T TOO MUCH PRODUCT OUT NOW. I DON'T KNOW WHAT QUALITY I AM REALLY GETTING. CAN SOMEONE HELP ME FIND A COOP WHICH IS THE BEST BUY FOR THE BEST QUALITY FOR 10 HENS?

I suggest you start a new thread in one of the forums. You will get more answers that way.

Good luck!

 

[Cryss]

I REALLY NEED ANOTHER COOP BADLY BUT THERE ISN'T TOO MUCH PRODUCT OUT NOW. I DON'T KNOW WHAT QUALITY I AM REALLY GETTING. CAN SOMEONE HELP ME FIND A COOP WHICH IS THE BEST BUY FOR THE BEST QUALITY FOR 10 HENS?

There are no prefab coops that will hold 10 hens. You need 40 square feet of free floor space so that means not including the nests. You could easily convert a prefab storage shed like from Lowe's or Home Depot. Add ventilation and a pop door to it as you assemble it. And a window for light. Attach nests to the wall at least a foot off the floor to maximize those square feet. Make roosts higher than nests. Make ventilation much higher than roosts.

 

[Maya Vance]

When I say "we" that means we paid someone to build it for us because my husband and I are both old and don't know what the _____ we're doing. As a result, when ours was finished I had a stack of receipts for building materials that I've never added up and a friendly new handyman/carpenter to call on when we need his services again.

Thank you for keeping that part clean.