Does anyone have the Lowes 8x12 shed???

[TammyTX]

I am thinking about using this for my new coop, but using the back for the front. My roost are attached to the back and I thought the higher roofline in the front would be better for that.

I can't find photos of the back.

 

[yogifink]

IMO, way to pricey. You could easily build something exactally like this for about half the price.

 

[TammyTX]

It's less than $1000. There is another one at Home Depot that is $678 and it's 10x10, but it looks cheaper....after having compared the two in person.

Yogifink - Do you and/or your husband have experience in building? We don't. I know it differs from location to location, but the materials plus the ease of using a "kit" made me think this wasn't a bad deal.

 

[yogifink]

You're right. You've got to do whats right and easy for you, and with no building experience it can be daunting. For the cost of a 'kit' ease of mind is worth it to a lot of people. The shed is very cute, and I have looked at them myself and admired their quality.




$1000 is a lot of money for us, much more than we can responsibly afford, not to mention, it would take a lot of eggs to offset this kind of investment. And don't forget about creeping costs; after you invest in the shed, you will still need to modify it to suit the needs of a chicken coop; assuming you have a run, the run will also need to modified or built, to accommodate the new coop. -- dollar signs rolling! You are right about the cost of prebuilt versus buying new material. If you were to buy top quality, brand new materials to build a shed coop like this, you will spend OVER 1k, but if you use all recycled free material, the cost would be way less than half of that. The two coops at my home we made for less than $100. The most expensive coop I have made is in a link in my sig, and ran about $500.

For me, I get much more enjoyment out of building something myself, there is a certain satisfaction that goes along with seeing something you made being used.

I didn't have any experience building things,...until I started to build them either. With that said, I am a bit of a handyman that grew up with a handy dad. I have taught my DW to be a handywoman, and she can put something together if need be. If you were closer, I would happily, show you as well. I bet you could find a friend or family member who could help you out for a weekend or two - I think most honest guys will do a little project like this for friends for a pack of suds and lunch.




Please don't feel that I am trying to be discouraging, I am not. I totally understand the ease of going with a kit.

 

[TammyTX]

I appreciate the insight.

We have had a self-made coop since '96 that was made with 50 year old barn wood. I do like the old barnwood and would like to reuse it.

 

[432bullet]

We used a resin shed and modified to suit chickens. Not cheap but worked out very well.

 

[ll]

We used a metal shed, it's working good for our girls.
Photos on my page!

 

[SequoyahFarms]

I started out with an old 8x8 shed and did some modifications to make it work for chickens and make it a bit more esthetically pleasing. It's worked out great!

 

[TXchickmum]

We purchased an 8 x 12 shed kit from Home Depot. -worked perfecly for our flock! The shed you are contemplating should make a very nice coop.

 

[TammyTX]

We used a resin shed and modified to suit chickens. Not cheap but worked out very well.

This looks very functional and roomy.

We currently have 34 chickens and in the spring I want to let at least one batch hatch under a broody for olive eggs so we'll probably end up with 40/45 chickens.