Buy? Or Build? Heeeeellllllppppp!!

[janiedoe]

Thank you for responding! I am sure the chickens don’t care what it looks like, but I want it to be adorable!! Don’t chickens feel proud of their home? Or not?? I thought keeping chickens happy and comfy helped keep them healthy! Or do they truly not care at all? I know they need a roost to stand on, a box to lay in, and room to spread their wings in a run! But I thought it was better if they loved their coop too? Maybe I’m being silly! I just want a cute coop!

Safe, roomy, and ventilated keeps them healthy and happy. Adorable is for you! (I have three..one adorable (for fun), one is elevated and hard to clean, one is a walkin shed type. All safe.) The hens prefer the one they were raised in.
Since you live in florida, I'd build a roomy, sturdy, covered run because they will spend more time there than in the coop. You just need to make sure that your coop has plenty of roost space and plenty of ventilation. You'll also want to have easy access to the hens when they are inside.
I'm in Texas. I let mine have access to the runs at all times. They sometimes roost in the runs at night. I like knowing they are secure.

 

[cheer4michelle]

Safe, roomy, and ventilated keeps them healthy and happy. Adorable is for you! (I have three..one adorable (for fun), one is elevated and hard to clean, one is a walkin shed type. All safe.) The hens prefer the one they were raised in.
Since you live in florida, I'd build a roomy, sturdy, covered run because they will spend more time there than in the coop. You just need to make sure that your coop has plenty of roost space and plenty of ventilation. You'll also want to have easy access to the hens when they are inside.
I'm in Texas. I let mine have access to the runs at all times. They sometimes roost in the runs at night. I like knowing they are secure.

You are so sweet! Thank you so much!!

 

[rosemarythyme]

Buff Orpington, coachen, black aster orb or silkie. I really need quiet chickens!

ANY breed can be loud - breed guidelines are just generalizations, so no guarantee that the individual birds you get match that.

 

[UtahCooper]

I would, and did, build my own coop personally, so I've only got one side of the story... I ended up spending way more than what a prefab coop would have cost, but then I couldn't find what I wanted in a prefab. Doesn't feel like as much of a cost when you do it a piece at a time over several weekends. Definitely seemed like the prefabs were way overstating the number of birds they could hold, since comfort didn't seem to be an important factor. I'm sure you could find ways to use scrap materials and make it cheaply yourself. I started with that mindset, but ended up buying almost everything new to ensure minimal maintenance long term.

 

[Sethjps]

I live in a neighborhood, so small is the key for right now...maybe 3 chickens. I live in Central Florida so it’s hot. I think winters are freezing, but I get cold with anything below 80! My plan is to purchase a small coop and run and a sail shade for them not to get too hot. I don’t think we have predators around here, we have a vinyl fence all around the yard so I think they will be safe.

 

[Preston1]

As I am sure you are aware, I am such a newby to the chicken arena that I haven’t even gotten my first chicken yet! I have been studying coops. Now, since I am just beginning, isn’t it okay if I purchase a cute little coop, or do you really have to build one?? Honestly, I would much rather buy one! A builder I ain’t!! And, I would like to the the beginning of this new adventure as simple as possible for me! Now, since I have all that outta the way, which brand is best?
I hope I am not becoming a bother! I want to be successful when I do actually get a chicken! And thank you for all of your help!

 

[Sethjps]

I am new to this as well and decided to repurpose an old play house till I figured out exactly what would work for me. It’s a quick and fairly cheap project.. has worked out perfectly so far. You can usually find something like this on the tag sale sites for little or nothing.

 

[Preston1]

I have an Eglu which is perfect for 3 chickens. I have the extended run but they generally free range during the day.

 

[NatJ]

So you're in central Florida, plan to have 3 chickens, have a fenced yard in a neighborhood, and want it to look cute. You also would prefer to buy it, rather than build it.

I recommend a gazebo, preferably at least 7 feet across.

You can buy one that includes roof and floor, and depending on where you buy it--you may also be able to get the builder to modify it for you.
The modifications: cover the sides with firmly attached hardware cloth, and add a door that's also covered with hardware cloth.

That will give them shade from the sun (roof), predator protection (roof, hardware cloth, and floor), and plenty of ventilation & fresh air (hardware cloth sides.)

Add something inside for a nestbox-- a small doghouse would work fine, or a wooden crate, or whatever other item seems cute to you. It can just sit on the floor inside, no need for anything complicated. It could even be a cardboard box, if you're willing to replace it regularly, but that's not very cute

The chickens will probably be delighted to sleep in the rafters, although you may want to add a perch halfway up in case they need help getting up there. If they sleep in the rafters, they will be protected from wind and rain as well, because they'll be inside the slope of the roof.

The size I suggested is big enough to serve as a "run" for three chickens, so no need for a separate run--just let them out into the backyard when you're in the mood to watch them there, and they'll have plenty of space in the gazebo the rest of the time.

A gazebo can look nice, and be big enough for you to easily walk in to visit the chickens, tend them, and clean it.

 

[PrimroseMom1]

I early on noticed that my chickens tolerated the cold better than the heat. I’m in Louisiana. So I built a coop with a concrete base and hardware cloth on three sides so it was very open. Then I built a shelter over it and it was all built under a big oak tree. Still I have to put fans blowing in in the summer and when it’s super hot I use a misting system in the yard. I have never seen a bought coop open enough for LA and FL. I also built custom walls for the three open sides with ventilation at the top fir winter. No matter how cold it gets it works.