Coop help for 6 Bantams

[sstierman]

Hi there! I'm new to the community & very excited to announce that my family added 6 week old Bantam/Bantam cross breed chicks to our menagerie today! They are settling in well in their 100 gallon galvanized trough, & my kids (ages 4 & 1) are in love! I am so overwhelmed by the coop situation. We live in a township & have no major restrictions regarding chickens/livestock, & we have 12 acres to let our feathery girls free range. We plan on having a coop with run (very secure, given the local foxes, raccoons, coyotes, & hawks...not to mention both feral & domesticated cats & dogs), but I am intimidated by building a coop -- I don't think we're handy enough to execute it properly! Any suggestions regarding premade coops (brands/models you love? Things you wish you knew before buying a coop? Pep talk regarding building a coop vs repurposing a tool shed or something similar?). I can't wait to hear your thoughts & suggestions.

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC! You can usually build or have built for you a much better coop than you can buy... you might try your state thread to see if anyone knows of a builder in your area if you'd rather not diy https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/12049/ohio-come-on-buckeyes-let-me-know-your-out-there/0_20
They make some coops for a reasonable price and will deliver in certain areas http://tbfarmproducts.wix.com/tbfp
Check out the Coop design forum for ideas also https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/9/coop-run-design-construction-maintenance main thing is probably to figure that bigger is usually better so far as coops go, especially if the birds will be inside much in the winter, and since you will probably wind up getting more birds.

 

[Chicken Girl1]

Hello

and Welcome to BYC!

Glad to have you join! Feel free to make yourself at home!

 

[sstierman]

Thank you so much! I will look into some of my local coop builders. I really appreciate your help!

 

[sstierman]

Thank you! Excited to be here!

 

[drumstick diva]

Sometimes you will find free coops on Craig's list, and even chickens coming with it. People try it out and then decide they don't want them., or they are moving. You might get luck, frequently new members have said that's how they got started.

 

[sstierman]

Thanks! I'll take a look!

 

[Wyandottes7]

Hello, and welcome to BYC!

I'm glad you joined our community.

Congratulations on your new chicks! You've received some good advice already. Good luck in either building a coop or finding one!

 

[sstierman]

Thank you! Very happy to be here!

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC! I'm glad you joined us!