Can this coop really hold 12 chickens?

[mikecnorthwest]

Personally I think it's too small for 12 hens.

 

[Kansaseq]

I looked at those, too, since they are in Kansas. No way could they hold 12! Maybe 4-5.

 

[americana-chick]

Also-do you think that is a fair price for a coop like that?

 

[valentinebaby]

If $179 buys all 3 pieces, then i say Yeah! that's a fair price. But you should always bargain for a better price!

The #1 problem I see is with the roosting space. You have to think about how your chickens are going to live. Will they be allowed to free-range for most of the day? Or will they be cooped up and if so, how large will their run be? Most on this site recommend at least 4 s.f. per bird inside the coop and 10 s.f. per bird in a run. I have had as many as 12 birds in 32 s.f. in the coop, but they're run is huge and they have instant access to it (the pop door is always opened) and they are also allowed to free-range when I'm home (which is almost every day). I'm down to 7 now (hawks are a bad thing!) and only plan to keep around 10 at any given point so that they have 3 s.f. on the inside, but my roost space is enough to allow for 13-14 birds (which I would never do - too much poo to clean up!). Maybe I didn't look right, but I don't see a door on the smaller 2 pieces???

You need to allow no less than 8" per bird on the roost for regular chicks and 10" for the bigger girls. My girls tend to roost in groups of 3 to 4 and like to have space between the groups. Since mine don't fight very much, guess it's a good thing they have plenty of space around them.

In the beginning, I would start with the smaller # of chicks and if you think you can add more, that's always easy! Good luck!

 

[scooter147]

If that's metal (looks like the stuff on metal storage sheds) I'm seeing you may have roasted chicken sooner then you planned on.
Yes, it's way too small for 12 hens. But my main problem with it even for 4 hens is that they'll likely die in the hot humid weather of the midwest in that thing. Even if that's wood they are likely to suffocate with no windows.

 

[teach1rusl]

That comes out to about 16 sq. ft., but that INCLUDES the nest boxes, which is NOT living space, so that would have to be deducted. Personally, I wouldn't try to keep more than 3 chickens in that coop, 4 MAX, unless they are bantams. A year round warm weather area could handle maybe 5 birds, because they would never be in there except to sleep and lay eggs. I would not want to have to lift the lid to gather eggs. What if it's raining all day? You'd get the bedding all wet trying to gather them.

If I only wanted to keep 3 - 4 birds, it might be worth the money to me to buy the dog house and modify it, but not the coop.

ETA: Good eye Scooter...didn't notice the metal. And I also didn't notice that there is NO ventillation. But I still like the dog house

 

[AtholCoop]

Having to reach OVER the high side of the coop to get to the nest boxes=poorly designed.

No venilation is a huge mistake anywhere, and at least SOME light (as in a winder) would be nice.

All of that said, if you could pick it up for say 50 bucks and makes some changes I think you'd still be doing ok.

 

[americana-chick]

I am not actually going to buy this coop, im just looking at it. I have, however, been looking for a good coop so i can start breeding some of my silkies and seperate my guineas and ducks from the other chickens. They do get to free range all day (well almost everyday) so they are ok with sharing the space but i only have 2 coops and one is being used for about 15 baby chicks right now.
Good eye everyone, i didnt even notice it had no ventillation! I could easily build this coop myself.. it looks as though it is only a few metal pieces attached to a wooden frame. My larger coop is the same but is MUCH bigger (i can walk in it) and has windows that open and close for ventillation i have insulated the coop and made a splace to hang a heat bulb and a fan.
Definatly not worth what they are asking. I should send them an email linking to this....

That would be kinda mean though..

 

[Shelly_WNC]

seems small for 12 chickens, maybe 4 or 5 would be ok. Is there room for food and water for those cold winter days where they may not go outside?

 

[sattoritx]

Looks like he is selling 2 coops with those measurements so it would be 4 per coop (8 total not 12).
Love the dog house