Coop purchased, now what?

[ssramage]

OK, so I have a coop in mind that I'll likely be picking up this weekend. I'll also be looking to pick up 3-4 laying hens (not raising from chicks right now).

What else do I need? Would like as low maintenance as possible and something my 5 year old can help take care of.

Feeder recommendation?
Waterer recommendation?
What else?

Start to finish if you were outfitting a new coop what would you get or DIY?

 

[Ridgerunner]

I'd like to know what the coop looks like so I know what I'm dealing with. 3 - 4 hens now but do you plan to integrate any chicks or chickens later? Will you have a broody hen raise chicks, either getting fertile eggs for her to hatch or getting day-old chicks for her? How I'd outfit a coop would depend a lot on my plans for down the road. But let's stay with 3 to 4 hens.

For a coop you need roosts, ventilation and probably a nest. Some people have nests somewhere other than where they sleep but it's easier if the nests are accessible from the coop. A way to get out of the coop into the run is a good thing, probably a pop door. That is all a coop needs.

Are you feeding or watering inside or out or both? Where you feed and/or water can have a big influence on what it can look like. Still, there are an unbelievably huge numbers of different feeders and waterers that work, whether you buy them or make them yourself.

You can see how I make my feeders in this photo. I take a free plastic bucket and cut 2-1/2" diameter holes in it for their heads. I've used this as a waterer in emergency situation. I don't necessarily recommend it as the handle will eventually break but it is free.

I've used a lot of different things for waterers. This is what I mostly use currently. A black bowl in winter so the sun helps keep the water thawed but white in summer to help keep it a bit cooler. I cut a hole to fit in plywood and raise it above the ground or bedding so they don't scratch trash in it. I also have one set up on a cinder block. These need to be dumped daily. The chickens will poop in it plus I don't want a mosquito breeding pot of water.

Without knowing what your coop/run look like I can;t make any recommendations. Most importantly there are all kinds of ways to feed and water, inside the coop and out. In Georgia you should not have much to worry about with freezing water. That makes it easier.

 

[lazy gardener]

General recommendation for back yard flock: MINIMUM space needs: 4 s.f. in coop and 10 s.f. in run per bird. Pre fab coops are almost always over priced, poorly designed, made of inferior materials, do not meet the needs of either flock or owner. They are also falsely advertised regarding the number of birds they will house. Do your homework before you spend your money!!!

Before getting your birds, I suggest that you go to the learning center and read a few articles about how to manage a back yard flock, how to choose healthy birds, and how to meet their housing and feed needs.

I also suggest that you visit your state thread, and meet some local flock owners, even if only meeting them on the internet! You may even find someone near your home who could mentor you.

 

[lazy gardener]

Start to finish if you were outfitting a new coop what would you get or DIY?

I would absolutely build my own coop. Absolute minimum size for back yard flock: walk in style 4 x 8 shed style with large roof overhang. Must have at least 1 window, must have at least 4 - 8 s.f. of ventilation. This coop would house up to 6 birds comfortably, would be a bit of a crowd for 8 birds. I would build on an attached (and covered if budget allowed) run of at least 80 s.f.

Coop must be predator proof: hardware cloth covering all openings, including windows and vents.

 

[lissalischicks]

The pre made coops are REALLY small. Here's the problem with the pre made coop. So you think ok... I'll start with 4 chickens. Then you keep adding so I'll get that pre made coop that states it fits 8. You get the coop and you realize it only comfortably fits 3 or 4. Also the premade ones usually arent a walk in style. I dont know how owners clean the house of all the pop. Just something to consider. After researching for about a month I ended up building my own.

As for waterer and feeder you can buy one or build your own. I did both but had to go through a few until I found the one that worked for me.

Once you get everything set up it smooth sailing from there.

 

[ssramage]

I think I've actually decided to buy the custom "pre-made" coop here as a starting point. I'm pretty handy with woodwork and could build my own but work and family prevent me from dedicating the time to build one right now. I've been putting off my son getting his chickens for a while now. Time to just jump in!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/hot-weather-coop-feedback.1267002/

 

[Birdsong 82]

I can understand kind of needing an easy starting point. That would be good for 4 to 5 birds in my opinion but would need more run space. It is hard to get a coop built with long working hours and kids and such. I know we just did that. And if you want to add more next year at least this is something you can build off of and not worried about time so much. If you make sure you keep up with the weatherproofing every year and a few extra supports the premade coops can last for a bit. Would strongly suggest more run area though.

 

[Birdsong 82]

And as far as a five-year-old helping you with maintenance. That’s a great thing. Just make sure you’re with them at all times obviously well with the chickens. I’ve seen plenty of posts where a young one did something that they thought was a good thing to do but wasn’t necessarily good for the chicken. Even though the heart was in the correct place. But I think it’s great for a child to put in that helping hand. My daughter love to do it when she was young. Now she’s becoming a lazy teenager so it’s a little more of a push. LOL. It teaches them responsibility but they can also have a sense of pride

 

[lissalischicks]

I think I've actually decided to buy the custom "pre-made" coop here as a starting point. I'm pretty handy with woodwork and could build my own but work and family prevent me from dedicating the time to build one righ

I can see your point about the starting point. Building a coop is a feat on it's own.

 

[Skipcurt]

I was also looking for low maintenance as far as food & water goes. I have (5) 5 mo old hens and the feeder gets filled about 3/4 full and lasts about 2 weeks. The water station also gets filled about 3/4 full and will last a week easily. Now that it's been pretty hot & humid here in GA, I also add two big blocks of ice every other day or so. Those are made from 32 oz soda cups from the convenient store.
I would also think about either adding electric out there or at least having a 1 pc extension cord for a fan in the summer or light/heat in the winter. The latter being less important here in GA.
In the end, once you get them you'll be out there several times a day anyway just to see them or give them treats and when it's almost egg time you'll be out there checking for eggs too!
Enjoy!!

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