I think our coops look great, and if I were in an area where I knew, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that the ONLY time my chickens would be in there would be to roost, I would consider purchasing one. However, I KNOW my chickens aren’t only in their coop to roost. They are invariably up before I get out to let them out of the coop, which means they are up and about, scratching around, walking, etc, inside the coop. I feel confident in my 48 sq. ft. coop (not counting nesting area), housing 10 chickens, that I don’t have to be concerned about space if they were to have to be closed up for several days. I know that when I introduce new chickens after a quarantine, I have enough room in my coop for a separate area for the new chickens to be introduced before they are let loose with the existing flock. I took those things into consideration when building my coop. I, personally, wanted a coop that I could walk into if need be, etc.
I would have two concerns with your coop, were I to be in the market for a coop:
1) Ventilation: Yes, you can open the roof, but there seems to be no protection for the flock once it is opened. Have you thought of a removable but secure “frame” of sorts, with hardware cloth, to cover the entire ceiling of the coop, providing some protection when the roof is opened? Of course, if this coop is placed entirely in a secure run that would not be an issue.
2) The coop is ideal for roosting but doesn’t allow the room for much else. You mentioned that nest boxes, feed, water, etc, can be placed in the corners. I may not be judging the size well based on the photos, but the way it appears to me, placing anything on the floor in that coop is asking for it to be pooped on/in. That is, unless you’re lucky enough to have the chickens to point their rears to the center of the coop.
I think your design is great though, and with a few more tweaks, I think it would be something people would be interested in purchasing. As a consumer, however, I would want at least double the size for 4 chickens, as well as the comfort in knowing that I am not giving up protection and security in favor of ventilation.
Honestly, the cost per chicken was not a factor when I was researching building/purchasing a coop. The design was a HUGE factor. I would be willing to pay more for a coop that provided what I was looking for. When I was first looking into chickens I had the intention of getting only four. I passed up all of those coops that you linked, that indicated they were suitable for 4 chickens, because I thought they were way too small.
ETA: Please keep in mind that, no matter what the University of Maryland, or other reputable organizations claim, I, and many others, err on the side of caution when housing our chickens. Yes, I read that 2 sq. foot per chicken was suitable, but I also read, much more frequently, that 4 sq. foot was the smallest area that I should allow. So, I built my coop with that in mind. Yes, your coops may meet the minimum requirement as far as space, but they do not meet the more commonly adhered to, and recommended, requirements. You came here for constructive criticism, which many have attempted to provide, but you seem to be so set on your views and ideas, that you aren’t really listening to what these people have to say. Pray tell, if every single person who has responded to this thread seems to believe that your coops are too small for four chickens, then the likelihood is that consumers will think the same, if they have done any amount of research. If you will not have the demand for your coops, then you will not sell any, regardless of how “right” the size is.
