do i realy need a coop...?

[fowlsessed]

Eric, save your self the money. It sound to me like for where you are, a well built, predator proof run with a roost in it some place simply covered with a tarp or metal is all you really need. And for nest boxes you can just put a small dog house, bucket or similar item in there and vualla, every thing you need at a fraction of the cost. Alot of people on here have money and lots of them pamper their chickens with more then they need and advise others to do the same. Of coarse though, if you have the money and time or are going big time then a coop is really nice and worth it, BUT NOT NECESSARY AT ALL. I hope you enjoy your new chickens.

 

[Pharm Girl]

Check Craigslist.
If you can pay a little, there are a lot of coops. Check the free section for supplies too.
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/cph/grd/2768341185.html
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/grd/2761836023.html

There are always good cheap idea in these theads:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=446029
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=77624

 

[LiLRedCV]

Since you live in a milder climate, you can try an open air coop (aka fresh air coop). You'll have protection utilizing 3 walls, but not put up a 4th wall - just let it flow into the run. In this manner, the chickens have a way of getting out of the reach of predators hands.

Here's a BYC thread you might be interested in:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=503884

In the thread above, the person used an old metal shed to convert. You can probably find one really cheap or even free on CraigsList and then find the additional supplies you'll need in the same manner.

 

[Chemguy]

Hi Eric. From what you've said, a coop isn't necessary to protect against temperature. I agree with what others have said that you do need to make sure that the chickens are safe from predators. But, even if there are no predators, chickens get scared at anything that might seem like a predator. Having a place for them to go into, or under, might prevent them from getting overly stressed in the long term. Also, if it rains where you are, they can also find some shelter.

 

[NC ChickenKate]

Don't think there are no coyotes in your neighborhood just because you haven't seen or heard them...they can be found in every state and in cities (L.A., St. Louis, Denver, Chicago, etc.) and the country. Coyotes live very well and raise youngsters successfully in urban and suburban neighborhoods and breed with domesticated dogs (if they don't eat them first).
As for dogs Many, if not most dog owners will let their family dog out before dawn to roam and do their "business" somewhere other than their own yard...and they will pack up and roam through their neighborhoods like a bunch of young thugs looking to boost cars and make trouble. They are capable of demolishing your flock for fun before going home to see what's for breakfast. They'll climb through chicken wire like it wasn't there and dig under any fence to get them.
You also have to consider predators with wings...hawks, owls, falcons, roadrunners, etc...all hunters who find chicken very yummy. And snakes of all kinds that will find the smallest hole to sqeeze through to eat the eggs.
You don't need a totally enclosed coop but your yard has to be well built from the roof to below ground level and all doors and gates must keep all the above mentioned creatures out. Your chickens need sufficent room to get out of the rain, mud puddles and wind (even dry wind)...they don't like their feathers ruffled while roosting, that is for them to do to themselves, thank you! And if they don't feel safe, secure and private in the nest box they won't use them.
I envy you for living in an area where the weather allows a nice open coop...suficent ventilation is almost everyone's biggest concern.
Just build it like Fort Knox and both you and your chickens will sleep well at night.

 

[peepblessed]

If you live somewhere in the US that allows chickens (except maybe Hawaii) I can't believe you don't have raccoons. They don't wear those masks for nothing.

Please do check out the great ideas that have already been suggested and be sure the run you are building is made of very study wire. Dogs and coons will chew through normal chicken wire. Hope it all works out for you!

 

[Ariel301]

Where I live in Arizona it is very hot, and chickens in an enclosed coop will die in the summer. People here don't keep chickens in a traditional coop for that reason. What is often used here is a wire run with a roof over it to keep out rain and predators and maybe some shadecloth or a piece of plywood on one side as a windbreak/to keep the sun out. The nest boxes are either on the floor or hung on the side of the pen. It works quite well in hot, dry climates like Arizona. In the winter, it gets down to 15 at night sometimes, but that is not low enough for chickens to not be outdoors.

 

[welasharon]

I don't have a coop. Mine is an open air pen but it is covered in hardward cloth on all four sides and the top is covered to keep out the rain. The back wall is solid and the nest boxes are up against it as are the roosts. If you don't have a coop you need to make sure nothing can get in the run or dig under it. I am in North Florida and it doesn't get too terribly cold here. When it is going to be in the low 20's I put plastic around all but one side.
sharon

 

[Sassafras]

Hi Eric;
You mentioned being on a tight budget so you might want to look into the cost of feeding and upkeep before commiting to the endeavor. Chicken are fun but as a lot of folks on BYC have said feed costs are rising and it really is hard to make it cheaper than buying eggs at the store. Good luck!

 

[fowlsessed]

That's true, but some people keep them sorta as pets to. I always free range mine and only give them minimal feed, and when they do get some(mainly in winter, late fall, early spring) it's just scratch grains so cost is minimal.
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