Chicken Coop 6 Hens

[mobius]

Throw a tiny bit of scratch in coop just before bed I bet they go in.

 

[ptvclaire]

I bought a pre-fab coop a while ago, said it could hold 8-10 chickens.... doing the math now of 4 feet coop space and 10 feet of run, it really couldn't even hold 2. Very misleading and made me mad they tricked beginner chicken owners out there who might actually try to fit 8 chickens in there and question why it's not working.

 

[Fluttering-about]

My husband ended up making one. It was frustrating and some trial and error, but we know it is big enough, and we know it is predatory proof.
The entire bottom half if hard wire cloth. We use caribeaners to latch the openings. We free range during the day so the run it rarely used, but sometimes they like to go in there and perch. The inside is basically a box. With three thick branches for perching.

That looks great! My husband extended and added on to the $220 piece of junk that we bought online.
I noticed that you have wire on the floor. Will that help with smell?

 

[BYChickenAl]

I've purchased most of my coop and run material 2nd-hand so it didn't cost much. My run is a simple 2nd-hand dog kennel that I've critter-proofed. Now I plan to improve the accommodations based on many excellent ideas and plans I've found on this site and I know I can do all of the work myself. I made my mobile run out of PVC and you can see part of it in my profile picture. It's easy to move around the yard and it provides daytime protection from hawks. You'll be fine. Stay positive and love those birds!

 

[LindaPinda]

Thanks for all the suggestions on predator-proofing runs. We went with chain link fencing attached to welded metal pipe frames. The panels bolt together at the corners, the floor is pine shavings over a 6' by 18' concrete pad, the roof is corregated metal, and their coop sits inside. My question is how big a chicken needs to be before it cannot squeeze through the fence's holes.

 

[NorthTexasWink]

I'd advise against even entertaining the idea of purchasing a prefab coop. Besides being of shoddy construction, too small, inadequately ventilated, and using flimsy hardware, even almost all of the ones advertised as "made in the USA" are actually made in China. Some bits *might* be assembled in the US from imported components. And we all know how careful Chinese manufacturers are when it comes to avoiding things like lead paint, carcinogenic coatings, or other materials hazardous to human life. Never mind being hazardous to birds.

Just don't do it.

Hire someone or do it yourself. Almost anyone can build a basic coop. It's not really that hard. It needn't be too expensive. You don't need to purchase all new materials. It doesn't need to look perfect. It's amazing what aesthetic sins can be covered by a coat of paint! Trust me, your birds won't care as long as their basic needs are met and they are safe.

 

[BYChickenAl]

Thanks for all the suggestions on predator-proofing runs. We went with chain link fencing attached to welded metal pipe frames. The panels bolt together at the corners, the floor is pine shavings over a 6' by 18' concrete pad, the roof is corregated metal, and their coop sits inside. My question is how big a chicken needs to be before it cannot squeeze through the fence's holes.

Chickens grow very quickly. My EasterEggers are only 5 months old and one is laying now. Question for you to consider is...if your chickens can get through your fence now, what predators can get through?

 

[LindaPinda]

Chickens grow very quickly. My EasterEggers are only 5 months old and one is laying now. Question for you to consider is...if your chickens can get through your fence now, what predators can get through?

Predators would have to get past a six-foot chain link fence, the big guard dogs, a six-foot cedar board fence with the smooth side out, and the small guard dogs. A rattlesnake might make it in as my dogs are trained to avoid them.