Coop kits

[FluffyColor]

So, I'm looking to start keeping chickens. I think we should build our own, as the pre-fab ones cost too much, house little birds, and won't protect against predators. I've talked to my parents about it. My mom wants a coop kit, saying we can't really build one from scratch.

Should we get a coop kit, or build from scratch? How much to kits cost? Are they hard to build?

Any input will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

 

[Dogfish]

How many birds?

 

[enggass]

I am picking one up here:
http://www.rootscoopsandmore.com/Roots,_Coops,_&_More/Coops.html

Much more reasonably priced than others.
You can get them as 1.) Unassembled/unpainted kits, 2.) Fully assembled/Unpainted, and 3.) Fully Assembled/Painted.
They list 4x4 and 4x8, but I am getting a 4x6 which they do not consider custom even though they do not have it listed.
I thought about building my own, but with materials, and mostly the time involved, I opted to get the Unassembled/unpainted 4x6.($469)
I am still planning on building a 10x6 roofed run myself.
I have 6 chicks coming in May - 3 RIR & 3 Barred Rocks.
I'm a first timer-
Good luck-

Steve

 

[featherz]

OO. I like the 4x8 coop 'thomas'. Has anyone ordered from these folks before? Looks like they only ship to GA area tho.

 

[enggass]

They are referring to Augusta Maine where they are located.
On theie FAQs page it says:
4.Do you deliver/ship?
Yes. We do our own deliveries within the state of Maine and sometimes New Hampshire, Vermont, Northern Massachusetts. We have shipped our chicken coops as far as North Carolina and have the ability to ship nationwide. We also offer free local delivery.

Steve

 

[FluffyColor]

Quote:
40-50.

 

[Dogfish]

You'll need to build one, or buy a pre-made shed for that many. Check Home Depot for kits, or Craigs list.

 

[KDH]

We just put ours together - from a kit - over the weekend. Another couple of weeks, when it's warm enough for the babies to graduate from the basement, and it will go out into the yard and stop hogging up the garage.

I think it will be big enough for the four (or five, if one of the "boys" turns out to be a girl) birds...

 

[gryeyes]

I have that exact same coop, with the attached pen. It's a bit crowded with 9 chickens in it. Which is why I am building a new coop on my own.

I'll be using the kit coop for the 4 chicks and 2 ducklings currently in their brooders, after I get the Big Chickens moved to the new coop, which I am hoping to get COMPLETED within the next 3 weekends. Maybe two weekends. Maybe the next five days, since I have a LOOOOONG weekend....

....but I have a guest coming to stay with me, and she doesn't want me to ignore her "just" to build my new coop. Ha! She doesn't GET it yet.

Anyway, I like that coop a lot. The hinges on the roof-top, however, don't hold up all that well. I've had mine since November 09.... PLUS there isn't enough ventilation, so I prop the lid up on a piece of paver stone, just about and inch and a half high. The little slider window isn't nearly enough ventilation.

And the chickens kick those roost bars down a lot. I find I have to put 'em back up a couple times a week. But then again, I do have too many chickens for the size of the coop......

Frankly, those are minor issues, as far as I'm concerned. I'm really glad I bought it. I bet you'll like it, too!

 

[KDH]

Quote:
That's great to hear - I'm looking forward to being able to initiate it. Hopefully, it'll be just the right size for four or five hens.