Coop

[New Hen Mama]

i was leaning on getting this coop for Lucy and maybe a friend or 2.. it says it holds 4 hens.. but don’t think I will be getting that many.. Thoughts?

 

[noregerts]

This set-up is very small. I'd say no more than 2 adult birds could live in there.

 

[TooCheep]

Commercial coops *always* lie about capacity. My "8 chicken" coop is slightly undersized for three. That one does look small. Do you have a link to the product so that we can check dimensions?

 

[New Hen Mama]

Yes, it’s small and I am thinking no more than 2 hens at the most..I may add.. that she will only be locked in at night.. she will have free run of my yard like she does now
Here is the link..

https://www.shopsmartexpress.com/it...-hen-house-rabbit-hutch-poultry-cage-with-run

 

[IamRainey]

When I first thought I'd get chickens I looked into a small prebuilt coop since I can't build anything using anything more demanding than Scotch tape and nylon zip ties.

The sad truth is: THEY SUCK. They can't be relied upon. They're built of cheap materials that won't hold up. They're too small. They won't offer protection from predators. They're down on the ground meaning you will constantly be bent in half. ...which is an excellent position from which to second think your original plan.

Give this some serious thought, New Hen Mama. I don't want to discourage you because having chickens is quite a wonderful experience. But if you decide that you want to do it, ask yourself what you can commit to it in terms of money and space. Then maximize those resources, build or order a well built and well designed coop, get some chicks and get ready for some fun and some yummy eggs. If you aren't ready to spend some money to provide an adequate space for the safety of your birds and your future as a chicken keeper, that's OK but you'll be happier with a canary or a parrot.

It may be you can plan for a small coop and run built of adequate materials and made predator proof. It may be you can start out with 3 birds -- the generally established minimum for their comfort. And it may be you can come up with a plan that can be adapted later for a bigger flock. That would be the way to go.

I truly hope this won't discourage you. My husband and I enjoy our chickens more now than we ever thought we would 3 years ago when we started. I just want you to understand that you'll have your best experience if you start out well and start out planning for success and healthy happy chickens. ...even if that will cost multiples -- MULTIPLES -- of those substandard prefab coops.

 

[New Hen Mama]

When I first thought I'd get chickens I looked into a small prebuilt coop since I can't build anything using anything more demanding than Scotch tape and nylon zip ties.

The sad truth is: THEY SUCK. They can't be relied upon. They're built of cheap materials that won't hold up. They're too small. They won't offer protection from predators. They're down on the ground meaning you will constantly be bent in half. ...which is an excellent position from which to second think your original plan.

Give this some serious thought, New Hen Mama. I don't want to discourage you because having chickens is quite a wonderful experience. But if you decide that you want to do it, ask yourself what you can commit to it in terms of money and space. Then maximize those resources, build or order a well built and well designed coop, get some chicks and get ready for some fun and some yummy eggs. If you aren't ready to spend some money to provide an adequate space for the safety of your birds and your future as a chicken keeper, that's OK but you'll be happier with a canary or a parrot.

It may be you can plan for a small coop and run built of adequate materials and made predator proof. It may be you can start out with 3 birds -- the generally established minimum for their comfort. And it may be you can come up with a plan that can be adapted later for a bigger flock. That would be the way to go.

I truly hope this won't discourage you. My husband and I enjoy our chickens more now than we ever thought we would 3 years ago when we started. I just want you to understand that you'll have your best experience if you start out well and start out planning for success and healthy happy chickens. ...even if that will cost multiples of those substandard prefab coops.

You didn’t discourage meat all,Lucy (my hen) just appeared in my yard about 4 weeks ago.. so I am trying to get her a safer place than my front porch.. it’s where she picked to sleep and lay eggs.. lol.. You mentioned getting a parrot.. in fact I do have a double yellow head Amazon and a sun conure.. I am a BIG bird lover .. I only want to do right for Lucy and value all input.. it’s why I posted it here.. I thank you for taking the time and replying to me.

 

[TooCheep]

Yes, it’s small and I am thinking no more than 2 hens at the most..I may add.. that she will only be locked in at night.. she will have free run of my yard like she does now
Here is the link..

https://www.shopsmartexpress.com/it...-hen-house-rabbit-hutch-poultry-cage-with-run

Hate to say it New Hen Mama, but that would even be crowded for two normal sized hens. The most commonly quoted numbers are 4sqft/bird in the coop and 10sqft/bird in the run. This one has 4sqft in the coop and 9sqft in the run. Sorry, but I really don't recommend this. Chickens are flock creatures and 2 is an absolute minimum (3+ is better).

 

[New Hen Mama]

Hate to say it New Hen Mama, but that would even be crowded for two normal sized hens. The most commonly quoted numbers are 4sqft/bird in the coop and 10sqft/bird in the run. This one has 4sqft in the coop and 9sqft in the run. Sorry, but I really don't recommend this. Chickens are flock creatures and 2 is an absolute minimum (3+ is better).

Ok.. thanks.. still looking

 

[TexasWineGuy]

Agree with the other posters. I was given one of the below "kit" coops/run. The box says it houses "5-7" hens, which is insane.

The reality is that this "Red Barn" kit is really only good for, wait for it, - ONE hen. It's pathetic.

Here's my interim solution t o the small size of the Red Barn kit. This is temporary while I'm building a much larger Coop and a 8x16' run.

Go big, no matter what you do.

TWG

 

[New Hen Mama]

Agree with the other posters. I was given one of the below "kit" coops/run. The box says it houses "5-7" hens, which is insane.

The reality is that this "Red Barn" kit is really only good for, wait for it, - ONE hen. It's pathetic.

Here's my interim solution tView attachment 1845298 View attachment 1845299 o the small size of the Red Barn kit. This is temporary while I'm building a much larger Coop and a 8x16' run.

Go big, no matter what you do.

TWG

Thank you.. guess I go big or go home .. lol