Cannot decide on which design be best for us

[City Farmgirl]

I'm looking into keeping two of three banty chicks. One is rooster so he is going to a good home once he starts crowing too much. I got chicks to give my girls fun memories and to relieve my own childhood memories. Yup, a farm girl marries a city boy. We own and live on standard town lot. I don't recall seeing any regulations concerning chickens (viewable online). I have yet to double check the long long list. My husband seem to be willing to let me try this project a try.

My dearest is not a very good handy man. I am known to put aside some projects too long. Our experiences taught us that sometimes it is better off to buy things ready-made. Our biggest question is how these coops would perform in winter. I'd have no problem feeding/watering chickens along with keeping them warm enough. We're looking at which design would be easiest to handle during Iowa winter. My requirement is for the coop to be moveable. Hens will be cooped up 24/7 unless we are right there in small fenced backyard. During winter, we can park it on cement apron in front of one east facing garage door (that bay used only for storage, my van goes in second bay while husband's car sits outside).

Any suggestions / recommendations out there for me to consider? I did tried to browse through posts containing "winter" but what I skimmed through did not serve to answer my winter question.

How does these Eglu performs in winter? That Eglu Cube sure appeals me but may be mite too much for just 2-3 hens. http://www.omlet.us/homepage/homepage.php

What about HenCondo? http://www.henspa.focuspage.com/hencondo.htm

What about something similar to this penthouse rabbit hutch? I've seen somewhere that was for chickens but I couldn't find it at the moment. http://www.rabbitmart.com/shop/index.php?page=shop-flypage-23729

This is what I consider most desired ideal of coop. Perfect for two to three hens and yet can easily move around. I'd be most glad to build one from stratch (already printed off pages on that coop). I'd be one who build this, not my husband. I'm teetering on a fence- whether to go ahead and attempt to build one by myself or buy one ready-made (some minor adjusting be very acceptable). He is more inclined to buy instead. https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=20375-cottage-coop

I still am stuck on which ready-made coop (with or without alterations) be best for winter and still portable. Any thoughts on this out there?

 

[Karlachix]

The Eglu is attractive and the construction looks like it would be nice and warm in the winter (according to the website it is).

I'm not that fond of the Hen Condo unless you really need it to look like a trash can.

 

[Anny]

The eglu and the hen condo just seem so small to me.

 

[Kajunbanty]

Have you tried looking on craigslist???? In my area several times I have had someone post chicken coops already made or made to your plans. I have seen some great ones ready and they would deliver to your home to me that would be the way to go save on paying all that shipping charge.

 

[angels4]

I LOVE my Eglu Cube. Alot of people do think they are rather small, but then I have a small flock of just 4=2 BO and 2 SLW eight week old girls living in mine. I know when the girls get a bit bigger they will need more room, so I'm planning on building a larger run for them, but for the 3 you want I think it would be fine.

 

[kristenm1975]

Have you considered the Catawba Converticoop? You can check them out here:http://www.catawbacoops.com/?gclid=CMX6ovOIqpUCFQimggodKFr_kA

I've built about 5 of them now and have been pleased with both the design and the finished product. The man who designed the coop is incredibly nice to work with and has quickly answered any questions I've had when I got stuck building and needed help.

Here's a picture of one of the ones I've built from this plan:

Hope this helps!

 

[chickens3]

Well that house is just fine for them 3 chickens nice job

 

[astylishgirl]

I love that rabbit hutch one... but does it give them enough room to get on a roost? I would love to buy that one and add a bigger run. And cut out a door for the nest.

have you seen the Savannah one on here? Check it out... it is made from a childs playhouse. You can get them on Toys R Us. com. SUPER CUTE.

 

[CityChook]

Just HOW cold is it where you live?

Why not purchase a dog house and raise it up over a run? It could be easily modified to add your windows and doors.

 

[City Farmgirl]

I'm thinking out loud here. Decision must be made very soon. I'm primary caretaker who is stay-at-home mama. I'm planning on a trip with just us girls. My dearest didn't tell me so but I already know that they MUST move out of house and they MUST have secure place outside with abundance food and water lasting 12 or 24 hours at stretch (check 'em before leaving and after arriving home from work).

I have had considered converting dog kennel into two levels but knew my dearest wouldn't be too excited. He is 6' 3" and usually the one who cleans up after our black lab. It cannot be expanded, it is larger size. Space is precious enough already within fenced backyard. We do not want to risk allowing dog and chicken to mix. This black lab is known to chase and chew.

I double checked the city ordiances. Nowhere the word of chicken, bird, or fowl is found. That's how I know I can "get away" with having two or three banties as a pet.

I do have advantage of 16' alley for our use as neighbor have mix of shrub and fence on their line. But coop cannot be large enough to block a vechile from driving through. I have 14' trampoline there full time and I don't want to move anything else but THAT.

Winter here can get as cold as minus 20. Wind is big thing but coop will parked on garage apron on sheltered side. I could tuck them inside garage but I prefer not because storage bay is full enough during winter.

I have had considered purchasing another dog house but then I'll need to figure out how to convert dog house AND homemade run into portable set. I do not want coop to be permentant.

I'd LOVE to buy small wooden play house and convert it into coop! But again, the portablitiy issue. Have anybody found a way to convert this type into portable coop? Run including. I could put in a wall in this playhouse, dividing room in half. One half (1/3?) would be for garden tools. Remaining space will be for chickens.

Our garage is detached and tucked in one corner of lot. Area between garage and house is fenced. Not too small or very large for two toddlers and a black lab. I do not want to fill it up with things that I cannot move. Swing set and dog kennel is what I cannot move. One pinic table along with few chairs I can move. Plenty of lawn in front but we do not want anything permentant out there beside raised beds and periannuals. Portablility is a must for this purpose.

I do not want to get building permit. That means permenant coop is out and portable coop is in.

I could design a kind of blanket to go over Catawba Converticoop to help insulate better during coldest part of winter. There will be outdoor electric outlet right beside where coop will sit during winter. Perfect to connect one light bulb to. This appeals to my woodwork hobby.

'Mini' Eglu- my dearest is most interested in this earlier. But then, I'm not too excited about bending over a lot just to tend the chickens. Eglu Cube sure do appeal me. I don't know yet how it will fit in our budget. I haven't yet measured out in our back yard to see how much space it really take. This appeal as to looking sleek and easily cleaned.

AAAARGH! I wish it is very easy to make an decision! I could always give away these three banties but I'm not ready to do that yet. I could always start over next spring if I do give away. They already have a good home to go to if I ever decide to do that.

City wide garage sale this Saturday (16th). Junk day ending next Thursday (21st). First day of trip on 26th. What and when to decide concerning these banties before deadline (26th)?

If you have any advice and/or thoughts you think might be of a help for me, throw them my way!!