Buying a coop

[Ann Perkhens]

We are thinking of purchasing a coop but wanted advice from the experts. We formerly talked about converting an existing shed on the property, but it’s out of our line of vision and we didn’t even notice when a fox stopped by and took a few chickens.

so we were hoping for opinions from you guys on this coop for our remaining ladies.
This is the coop in question:

https://www.familyfarmandhome.com/chicken-coop-t242674.html

Thank you in advance!

 

[Lemon-Drop]

How many chickens do you want/have?

 

[Lemon-Drop]

Do you know the specifications of the coop? I don’t know the actual size, but i would guess 2-3 chickens for that coop.

 

[Ann Perkhens]

We have 3. We would like 8.
The website doesn’t list the dimensions. I called the store and they said 8-10. I’m not sure how much of an over exaggeration that is

 

[Lemon-Drop]

We have 3. We would like 8.
The website doesn’t list the dimensions. I called the store and they said 8-10. I’m not sure how much of an over exaggeration that is

Usually, what stores say, I would count in half the amount they say. If you want happy chickens, plan on 4 sqft in the coop (per bird) and 10sqft per bird in the run. So for 8 chickens, an 80sqft run and a 32sqft coop.

 

[neo71665]

Ugg premade coops, by the time you often fix all the flaws in them you would be better off building one.

 

[21hens-incharge]

They don't even list dimensions no matter what I click.

Having seen similar in person I would definitely NOT get it.

Premade coops are nearly always made of cheap thin strips of soft wood. They warp and crack in the first year. They are undersized and easy for predators to enter.

You're in Michigan.... That means snow correct?

Can you go to the store and actually see this coop in person?

A coop doesn't need to be in line of sight to keep birds safe. The coop and secure run can do that. If free ranging there are risks. A secure run is handy even if you choose to free range. It can be used when there are predators around or deep snow.

 

[Percheron chick]

A coop doesn't need to be in line of sight to keep birds safe. The coop and secure run can do that. If free ranging there are risks. A secure run is handy even if you choose to free range. It can be used when there are predators around or deep snow.

I can't see my chickens or geese from the house and they are 100% safe. They are safe because the enclosure is predator proof and even when they free range, loose dogs can't get to them.
That coop is a waste of $250 and it will only hold 2 large fowl hens. You will be right back here looking for a replacement in 2 months. Give us pictures of your current coop and we'll help you make it a killer coop. Having an existing structure is going to save you $1000 or more in the current lumber shortage.

 

[3KillerBs]

Rules of thumb:

If it looks like a dollhouse it's only suited for toy chickens.​

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If they don't list the actual dimensions on the website it's because they're trying to make you think it's bigger than it is.​

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If there are more nestboxes than the number of chickens it ought to hold there are probably other serious flaws because the designer/builder doesn't know anything about chickens.​

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And if the dimensions are given in inches instead of in feet it's almost certainly too small.​

If you want 8 chickens and are using the usual guidelines for space (which are minimums, really, especially in a climate where they might be confined indoors due to heavy snow or other severe weather), you need 4 square feet in the coop, 10 square feet in the run, 1 linear foot of roost space, and 1 square foot of ventilation per adult, standard-sized hen.

So, that means a coop that's 8x4 or 6x6,

With an 8x10 run,

8 feet of roost,

And 8 square feet of permanent, 24/7/365 ventilation -- preferably located above the chickens' heads when they're sitting on the roost. The pop door that is closed at night and windows that are closed in the winter don't count.

In short, if you don't want to use the existing shed the money for that coop would probably be better spent on buying another shed to convert.

 

[3KillerBs]

Having an existing structure is going to save you $1000 or more in the current lumber shortage.

An excellent point!