COOP Madness- Need Help & Guidance

[anoki]

Hello all.... New "Chickener" (correct term?) here who has been researching for months. Reading everythign I could, seraching the INternet etc. It's time now to get organized in preparation for my coop installation in the Spring. I plan to give my nieces chicks fro Easter and their Uncle will raise them. In any case my biggest concern right now is getting the right coop. I am pretty handy with a saw but unfortunately don't hae the time to build a coop therefore Ihave decided that I need to purchase one.

I'm curious if folks would care to recommend what they think is a good pre-fab to purchase. There are many choices, in many styles but 'm not certain what I'll get when it comes. I realy can't spend $1000 for a coop but by the same token don't want something that won't offer adequate winter protection (I live in NYC). Let me know what your experiences have been and what has worked fro you - - I'd greatly apprecaite it.

Thanks
Frank

 

[Kat's Silly Chickens]

1st

There are a few factors in choosing a coop, how many chickens is the 1st and foremost. There are a lot of threads in here to help with some choices. Keep looking and more ppl will check in that may be able to help you decide.

 

[Cargo]

Might be a good time to start posting wanted adds on Craig's List

Mail order coops are either way too expensive or complete crap. (IMHO)
If someone has an inexpensive coop they got mail order and is good please let us know.

Another option is to start asking around with friends and family to see if anyone might have some time and be willing to pop a small coop together.

 

[anoki]

Kat/Cargo,

Thanks for the infromation.

You're right Kat, I knew number of chickens was key and had planned to include that but, alas, I forgot. I plant to house 6 beauties in the Spring. I figured I'd better get and early start!

I'll get looking throght here - - WOW there is a lot of infromation!

Cargo, Great idea going to Craig's. I have found the same- - some of those prefabs look like they are made of cardboard (no matter what the claims are) hence why, like you, I thougth someone may have found one that is a good find.

I'll keep searching ...thank you both for your input!

Be well-
Frank

 

[Judy]

If you're thinking of those dyed chicks they sell around Easter, be forewarned that they have been identified as roosters. You might get lucky and get one female out of 6; unlikely any more.

 

[swimmer]

What we did was...hired a local high school boy to build ours. He did a great job. His dad had all the tools and he built it the way we wanted. The coop and run is solid as a brick. The coop is 5x5 and the covered run is 10x4. We paid him $400 to build it. We painted it. You could look into hiring a local carpenter/handy man to do the work for you. Maybe someone that is laid off at the time. Ask around, you'd be amazed at the people out there that are looking for some extra cash and love to build stuff. Good luck.

 

[RIBill]

There is a very short step between $300 and $1000. This is especially true if you build it yourself or have it built. From my lessons learned, I would plan on an insulated coop with south and east facing windows. The size will depend on the size of the bird and the amount of time they will spend outside. I have 6 Rhode Island Reds and my coop is 3'x5'. It has a nest box mounted on the outside. They spend the whole day in their run, so I was able to get by with a smaller coop. That saild, I am limited with where I can put the food and water. I have to lean my whole body in to reach the feeder. If I were to build another one I would definitely go bigger.

 

[Cargo]

What we did was...hired a local high school boy to build ours.

Great idea!
In fact while looking for work I am going to build a walk-in coop for MIL before spring.​

 

[can you hear me now?]

from Missouri. I.agree with one of the posters about the Craigslist wanted. That way you may find what you need. Biggest factor is how many birds because they usually require 5 feet if space each. Hope that helps and good luck.

 

[Mtn Cur]

Swimmer doesn't have a bad idea. I to have used the high school to build me things in the past. One benefit is usually you don't pay for labor costs. We have Future Farmers of America which would be perfect in building a coop at half the cost. Or use you imagination when searching on craigslist.