Elizabeth Coop

[terryg]

Has anyone purchased "The Elizabeth" coop from My Pet Chicken or the builder, The Green Chicken Coop? I'm interested in what you think of the product.

 

[jpcode]

No, but they look pretty and adequate.

 

[Life is Good!]

It's a very cute coop, pricey but nice - my concern would be in the photographs, two nest boxes are blocked by the 2x4 framing. And truly, if this is made for 10-12 chickens, do you need that many nest boxes? I've understood 4 hens/box, which means this has way too many boxes for the hens it's made to hold.

I'd go the extra and get the largest run they made for it - or build my own.

 

[terryg]

I'm working on a project to bring chickens to a nursing home. They need a prefab coop, but one that looks good and is of high quality. There will be only 5 chickens, (this is an enrichment program so that the dementia residents have chickens to watch and interact with) but I want one large enough to walk in (not for the residents but for the caregiver.)

LIfe is Good, thanks for pointing out the framing blocking the nesting boxes. Personally, I prefer metal boxes, but these will be okay Extra nesting boxes aren't a problem. I also have to be able to install an automatic door closer.

I'm a stickler about having windows, and very good ventilation. Here in New England the chickens can spend days closed up due to snow, so plenty of floor space, too! Also, it has to be easy to access and clean as it will be tidied daily. I'm very excited about this project and want to bring just the right coop to the facility. It's a pilot program and could spread to other nursing homes.

If anyone loves their prefab coop, let me know.

 

[SunnySkies]

I'm actually looking at this one myself. Spendy, but...I have four small children under 7. I work PT on weekends and DH works during the week. We don't really have time to build a coop. I want to add extra windows and the bump out and the wheels, so I could move it with a tractor. If you go with it, could you update with a review? I'd appreciate it.

 

[Presidential]

TerryG, We use our chickens for Animal Assisted Therapy at a Nursing/Rehab facility and schools. It is AWESOME! The patients/residents/students respond so well to the birds.

We have trained ours to sit on their mat and be touched. The chickens were exceptionally easy to train, much to my surprise. The chickens are very relaxed and comfortable - again, much to my surprise! The chickens are very accepting of fumbling hands while people work on their fine motor skills. Elderly patients especially enjoy the chickens - - they all remember back to their chickens when they were growing up. Everyone smiles.

I have worked with dogs for years, but this is my first try with chickens. It was MUCH easier than I expected. Best of luck to you! Enjoy!!

 

[terryg]

Hi Presidential, I already do school visits with my chickens (see my programs here:http://hencam.com/events/) so now I'm going to get to do the other end of the age spectrum
Using a mat is an interesting idea. I've clicker trained my chickens to follow a target stick and pose for the camera, but I've found that I haven't had to formally train them for the visits. Out of my flock there's a couple of hens who are naturals at sitting in my lap and letting people pet them.
There is one patient at this facility who lived on a farm his entire life before he had to move to the home. He has retreated into a passive state. I'm eager to see what happens when he gets to hold a chicken again