Buying coop and chickens

[Percheron chick]

I see high production birds. That's only 25% lay rate. Even just coming out of winter with girls as old as 7 I'm pushing 50%. I'd want to see at least 4 eggs per bird. They are in their prime. My guess is they are older, are stressed from the living situation, underfed... I see red flags.

 

[TonyBYC]

Given the breeds I see that is not good production levels. Not good at all.

What are they being fed?

While that coop is tiny selling half the birds would relieve a lot of stress on them which might help production.

Are you 100% sure they are only a year old?

I think he mentioned corn, some other grain and food leftovers.

No idea about true age, that's just what the seller said, I did have a concern about that as well but have no idea how to verify.

He also mentioned briefly that he had 18 birds with that same coop at some point, which makes me wonder what happened to the other six if it's only been one year

 

[ButtonHoarder]

They’re only a year old and they’re only getting 3 eggs? That seems off...
And that coop is way to small for 12 hens

 

[21hens-incharge]

I think he mentioned corn, some other grain and food leftovers.

No idea about true age, that's just what the seller said, I did have a concern about that as well but have no idea how to verify.

He also mentioned briefly that he had 18 birds with that same coop at some point, which makes me wonder what happened to the other six if it's only been one year

Given their poor diet in the first year of life I would pass on it.
Nutrition is critical to egg production and long life.

Sorry.

 

[Mamatomany123]

Given their poor diet in the first year of life I would pass on it.
Nutrition is critical to egg production and long life.

Sorry.

I agree.

Right now I have 10 one year old laying hens. On my slow days I get 7. Most days I get 10. Only getting 3 from 12 laying hens is not a good sign. And they dont all sleep.in the coop because there isnt enough room or ventilation. I would pass and start my own flock.

 

[TonyBYC]

Thanks, everyone! This seemed like a nice "shortcut" but I guess we'll be looking elsewhere

 

[21hens-incharge]

Thanks, everyone! This seemed like a nice "shortcut" but I guess we'll be looking elsewhere

We definitely want your introduction into chicken keeping to be a happy experience. I fear that group would bring a lot of disappointment.

Do be sure and hang around BYC.
I know I will be excited to see the birds when you do find some.

 

[gtaus]

Thanks, everyone! This seemed like a nice "shortcut" but I guess we'll be looking elsewhere

Or, maybe you could use all those negative points mentioned by others to negotiate down the price of the setup. There is little chance that he will be taking the chicken coop and run with him when they move. At that point, it has no value to him at all. I know some people around here that are willing to give a coop away because they fear the new owners might not want to have chickens and it would be an expense for them to tear it down and remove.

I think the coop would be fine for 6 chickens, but not 12, and certainly not 18 like he said he had. The low egg production may be due to over crowding, poor nutrition, or God forbid "Egg Eaters!" Chances are that if they thought 18 chickens were OK for a small coop like that, they probably did not know much about raising chickens when they started.

I would not assume the chickens were only 1 year old. They should be laying a lot more eggs than what he says.

Yes, some people think they can only feed cracked corn to the chickens to save money and still get eggs. Our great grandparents used to do that on the farm. But you suffer in terms of egg production. Some people do not want to even feed kitchen scraps to their birds. I do, but it's not their main feed. In the summer time, my chickens eat lots of grass and I will see their commercial feed consumption go down by half, but their egg production also goes down. I have commercial layer feed available 24/7, but my chickens prefer to eat just about anything else before they eat the commercial feed. It sounds like your neighbor was not feeding his birds well, so I would not be overly anxious to inherit those birds.

Anyway, it is a nice small coop and run for a small flock. I might offer a low ball amount to see if he is interested in the offer, but be willing to walk away from the deal if the price is not right. I agree that the chickens themselves might be a problem given their past history and currently low egg production rates. Red flags there. I would go so far as to say the chickens themselves might have a negative value to the package. So, if you decide to go after this package, assume you might have to replace that flock with your own 6 hens if his flock does not respond to better care.

Bottom line, I think you are in a better negotiating position then your neighbor and if you can't come to agreement then walk away and plan your own setup. There is some satisfaction starting out everything from scratch, but, having done that, I would also consider the value of buying something already made and upgrading it to your needs.

There have been a lot of negative comments and warnings about this potential deal, and I don't disagree with those comments. However, it might still be an option if the price is right. I think the coop and run have some long term value, but the suspect health of the flock would concern me. The flock can be replaced and you could start over with your own chicks at any time. Some of us only plan to keep a flock for a 2-3 years and then replace them. So the birds are just a short term investment.

FWIW, my chickens stay in their coop most of the winter, and never go outside in the snow. I built my coop to have almost 8 square feet per bird, which is twice the recommended 4 square feet per bird normally recommended because I expected this. If you get 12 birds in that small coop for 2 square feet per bird, I still think you need to either reduce the number of birds or expand that coop. It just looks too small to me for that many birds. I think they need more room.

 

[springvalley123]

Some of the birds had pale combs. The tiny coop is made of wood, so could harbor parasites, and be breeding groujd for any disease that is making the lay rate so poor. A nicer way to get a head start might be to build your own coop and run, then look for a few, healthy-looking birds, perhaps from someone whose own health or circumstances forces them to sell. One of the problems in inheriting/buying a ready made flock, is that they might well carry some disease, and some of those diseases make them carriers for life, infecting any newer birds you bought later as chicks even.

You can always count on the experts here!

 

[3KillerBs]

I agree that the coop is far too small and too badly-ventilated and that 12 chickens should be producing a lot more eggs.

However, at the current price of lumber a too-small, ill-ventilated coop that is in good condition and shows no sign of infestation with parasites *might* be a good investment if purchased with the intent to modify it into something more suitable for a reduced and better-nourished flock.