Building a chicken coop

[foxtrotters19]

Girl, you need to keep this man! LOL

I intend too!

 

[foxtrotters19]

Ok so change of plans - instead of building one we are going to buy a chicken coop. He couldn't find plans in detail enough so after looking online and looking at reviews... we have decided to order this one. It hold up to 10 chickens and he also said that we could get 8 chicks.

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/producers-pride-defender-chicken-coop

I am so excited...

 

[aart]

Ok so change of plans - instead of building one we are going to buy a chicken coop. He couldn't find plans in detail enough so after looking online and looking at reviews... we have decided to order this one. It hold up to 10 chickens and he also said that we could get 8 chicks.
https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/producers-pride-defender-chicken-coop

That's too bad
That coop itself is about 3' wide.....tight quarters.

 

[FlyWheel]

If you're going to buy forget about those playpens at Tractor Supply; they'll at best be comfortable for 1/4 of the chickens advertised for the couple of years they'll hold together. There are, albeit more expensive, coops that are built by people whoactually know more than a feather's worth about chickens out there. Carolina Coops is a very good one that comes to mind and I'm sure there are others which others should ring in with.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Ok so change of plans - instead of building one we are going to buy a chicken coop. He couldn't find plans in detail enough so after looking online and looking at reviews... we have decided to order this one. It hold up to 10 chickens and he also said that we could get 8 chicks.

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/producers-pride-defender-chicken-coop

Looking at the interior photos that unit is smaller than it appears from outside, about 40% of it is next boxes (more than you need) or storage. For the price you'd get more bang for your buck if you buy a premade garden shed and fix it up to your liking, though the run would have to be added separately.

The run appears to have large wire openings so it'll have to be reinforced with either welded wire or hardware cloth to ward off pests and predators.

 

[foxtrotters19]

Specification Description
Pen Width: 117 in.
Wheels Included: No
Product Length: 57 in.
Roof Material: Asphalt
Pen Included: Yes
Product Weight: 585 lb.
Product Width: 44 in.
Recommended Number of Chickens: 10-14 Chickens
Pen Height: 84 in.
Wall Material: Wood
Pen Length: 122 in.
Product Type: Chicken Coops
Brand: Producer's Pride
Product Height: 73 in.
Manufacturer Part Number CCR1010

Well hate to burst everybody's bubble like you have burst mine but the chicken coop has already been ordered. We have watched several videos, read plenty of reviews... we are going to put the chicken coop part under the carport part of our shed/garage...so it will be out of the weather. One of the reason why my husband liked it was the frame is metal so even if the wood does rot or fall apart the wood can be replaced...

I am excited wanted to share my excitement...

 

[foxtrotters19]

Looking at the interior photos that unit is smaller than it appears from outside, about 40% of it is next boxes (more than you need) or storage. For the price you'd get more bang for your buck if you buy a premade garden shed and fix it up to your liking, though the run would have to be added separately.

The run appears to have large wire openings so it'll have to be reinforced with either welded wire or hardware cloth to ward off pests and predators.

We are going to put hardward cloth at the bottom...

 

[ChickenFox]

Specification Description
Pen Width: 117 in.
Wheels Included: No
Product Length: 57 in.
Roof Material: Asphalt
Pen Included: Yes
Product Weight: 585 lb.
Product Width: 44 in.
Recommended Number of Chickens: 10-14 Chickens
Pen Height: 84 in.
Wall Material: Wood
Pen Length: 122 in.
Product Type: Chicken Coops
Brand: Producer's Pride
Product Height: 73 in.
Manufacturer Part Number CCR1010

Well hate to burst everybody's bubble like you have burst mine but the chicken coop has already been ordered. We have watched several videos, read plenty of reviews... we are going to put the chicken coop part under the carport part of our shed/garage...so it will be out of the weather. One of the reason why my husband liked it was the frame is metal so even if the wood does rot or fall apart the wood can be replaced...

I am excited wanted to share my excitement...

I don't think anyone meant to burst your excitement bubble. They just wanted to give their opinions on the coop and try to give you as many options as possible. If the coop portion is too small once you get it set up and the chickens in you can probably modify it a bit if you desire. Otherwise just enjoy it and your chickens.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Well hate to burst everybody's bubble like you have burst mine but the chicken coop has already been ordered.

Wasn't trying to burst your bubble, I was very happy to be able to get my first few chickens, so I know it's something exciting to look forward to. And then after spending $500 on a prefab and much more on a run... I ended up having a shed built anyhow in order to fit more chickens.

If nothing else since your hubby can probably make modifications down the road to this unit if needed. And if you decide you really enjoy having chickens and want to really expand, this set up could still serve as a nice quarantine or isolation unit, or maybe a separate set up for bantams or something.

 

[FlyWheel]

No deflation intended, just a warning (I was unaware you had already gotten a coop). I've read too many posts about how people have been disappointed with budget coops, and I myself have seen how overrated their capacity is. Rule of thumb: 4 square feet per bird.

Is your miracle hubby good with his hands? There are a lot of articles written by people who have built their own coops, some at a laughably small cost.