Coop and feathers as a starter coop

[NOSA]

I recently purchased the coop and feathers coop as a novice and quickly thinking it over. Has anyone had bad experience with these? I mean I don't want to put my chickens out like a meal for the raccoons in the area are they ok to use?

 

[TalkALittle]

If you have raccoons you will definitely want to fortify it. Raccoons can and will open those little slide locks. They can also lift and pry even quite heavy things open, so will attempt to gain entry through the nest box access and will even try and pull out the poop tray and reach inside. If there is an easy way in they will use it, but they will even try to dig in if they have to. Foxes will surely try and dig in.

Typically little pre-fab coops like this don't stand up to the elements really well. It is not uncommon to read posts from people who've only had them a couple of years and already the wood is warping and rotting. Because the wood used is so thin, once it starts to warp or rot even a bit, the structural integrity and security of the coop is often compromised. You will definitely want to seal/preserve the wood yourself.

 

[junebuggena]

That isn't a starter coop, that's a temporary coop. It says it will house 4, but that's based off of space requirements for commercial chicken farms. You really don't want to use that as the standard for keeping healthy, happy chickens. Long term, it's only adequate for a pair of smaller breed hens.

 

[NOSA]

Ok, that's what I was starting to figure, they just seemed too good to pass up but they're probably too good to be true. I'm going to build my own coop I'm sure... Just another excuse to buy more power tools, like you ever need one? Haha

 

[Blooie]

Ok, that's what I was starting to figure, they just seemed too good to pass up but they're probably too good to be true. I'm going to build my own coop I'm sure... Just another excuse to buy more power tools, like you ever need one? Haha

Don't give up on that one completely, though! Even though it's not designed and sturdy enough for a full time coop, it will make a dandy brooder, or grow-out pen, or time-out pen for an ornery chicken, or an infirmary for a sick bird! A little reinforcement, then you can just store it out of the weather or tarp it until you need it! Sometimes I wish I had one! So see, there's always a silver lining!

 

[NOSA]

We just have four chickens right now but with my then reluctant wife now searching for more chicks I'm sure I'll need a bigger coop eventually might as well start building it out