Building a Coop or Buying one?

[GreenBabe5]

So i was all sure I was going to build my coop. Found plans on Ebay (this guy has a lot of awesome plans). Here is the one i chose....

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Chicken-coo...323?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item23273093b3

I already priced it out. Basically Lumber is like 375, Pavers and Mesh like 100, Asphalt Shingles instead of metal is like 75, and SmartSide siding would be like 51.00 Plus like nails and hinges. I got a free basement style double paned sliding window off craiglist new in box (saved 120 there!). But all in all I'm at least 700-800 plus man hours. Oh plus paint and getting the building permit.

Well then i went to an Amish shed place today. Saw a coop that would be bigger in coup actual size, delivered to my house for about 1050. With options like electrical installed (way too much for that), flooring, insulation etc at additional fees and I could pick the color combinations, roofing, siding etc. The coup i like is a barn style dutch coop or Quaker one 4x6. But i would then need to build the run anyway. (or buy a 4x8 combination coop for 1500ish).

I keep telling myself building it is the way to go but the thought of it just showing up at my house seems awesome to.

I keep reading folks making coops fairly easily and cost efficient but pricing basic supplies has me at about half the price of an amish built combination coop which i'm sure will be better crafted than one i make.

How did you all decide to buy or build?

 

[GinaR]

If you enjoy planning and building things then building your own coop can be a really fun project and would probably save you a few hundred dollars (particularly if you can find sources of recycled free/cheap materials). If spending the extra dollars isn't an issue and you wouldn't get a kick out of building it yourself (or don't have the time) and just want the finished result of chickens in a nice coop, then buying a coop may be the better option for you as you will be up and running a lot quicker and easier.

 

[conny63malies]

I have three of Jim's plans. I am about done with building his kennel coop. Not sure how much i spend . I bought 20-30$ worth of lumber and material every now and then. I put shingles on instead of metal roofing. I will post a pic later.

 

[cluckcrazy]

If you want something cost effective, then I would go with building a coop. I don't have any chickens yet, but personally, I am planning on doing is taking a large outdoor playhouse for children (I found some on craigslist for no more than $75), covering the "windows", and putting in a run and a few nesting boxes. If you are okay with spending $$$, then I would go with the larger coop. It really depends on the person.


-crazy