Build OR Buy???

[User 1234567]

Here is the ultimate question, do I build or buy a coop?


If I build I get all the design features I want along with math headaches, project delays and the usual heartaches of DIY.
If I buy, the project should go fairly predictable and quickly.

The bottom line is I found a pre-fab kit for $580 http://www.amazon.com/CC-Only-CC-53...&qid=1370019097&sr=8-33&keywords=chicken+coop

or a cheaper and more ghetto version of The Palace Coop https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/the-palace

Obviously if i went the DIY route I want to spend less money than the kit would cost, if there are better kits for 6 chickens please let me know.

This is my first venture into chicken ownership, any experienced advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Chick Charm]

Building it yourself will take longer than you anticipate usually. But you get more bang for your buck. Bigger, Stronger, Better quality than anything that can be shipped for a reasonable price.

You ultimate question can only be answered "ultimately by you".

I would build my own. Cheaper and better.

 

[nbenevento]

In my opinion, how fancy or pretty a coop is, is for the owner, not the chickens. Chickens don't care. I built my coops. It still costs a fortune and never comes out as nice as prefab kits. But they are functional and again, my chickens don't care. I would do a rough sketch of what you want to build and do a rough cost estimate. Don't forget to include nails, screws, tools you don't already have and any other small detail that may come up. In the end, you just may be better off buying he kit!

 

[Chick Charm]

If you are leaning towards buying a coop don't forget or rule out the sheds they sell at the big box stores. Many times you can get a full sized shed for around 800 $. And you will be getting a much bigger enclosure to work with. If that helps any. Don't forget chicken math.

 

[aart]

Look carefully at the dimensions on any prefabbed coop or kit, they are almost always much smaller than you think and when they say how many chickens they use a pretty small sqft calculator.

Here is the ultimate question, do I build or buy a coop?


If I build I get all the design features I want along with math headaches, project delays and the usual heartaches of DIY.
If I buy, the project should go fairly predictable and quickly.

The bottom line is I found a pre-fab kit for $580 http://www.amazon.com/CC-Only-CC-53...&qid=1370019097&sr=8-33&keywords=chicken+coop

or a cheaper and more ghetto version of The Palace Coop https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/the-palace

Obviously if i went the DIY route I want to spend less money than the kit would cost, if there are better kits for 6 chickens please let me know.

This is my first venture into chicken ownership, any experienced advice would be greatly appreciated.

This coop is only 10 sqft (the coop itself), good for about 2 chickens....the run is about twice that size but still too small for 6 chickens.

If you are leaning towards buying a coop don't forget or rule out the sheds they sell at the big box stores. Many times you can get a full sized shed for around 800 $. And you will be getting a much bigger enclosure to work with. If that helps any. Don't forget chicken math.

This is a great idea!!