Feedback on this coop? Leaning towards purchasing....

[Goodfolk]

Hi!
I am leaning towards purchasing this coop....it comes in a box, takes about one hour to assemble, and cost $280. Found it on Houston's Craigslist. The company name is Taiyuan Wood Products out of China. If you have any feedback on the coop or its manufacture, please share it with me!




If you have used this one and love it or hate it, would you please share? I have 5 chicks, but expect that we'll lose one along the way, and we do plan to let the chickens free range a few hours a day.
I figure the cost is about what I would spend if I bought my own plans online and did it myself, and quite frankly, we're not too handy

Here are other details...
.This high quality Large Deluxe Chicken coop is made from fully treated and grooved wood.
It is coated with a water based preservative(It is not water-proof however).
It comes with sliding access pan, which makes easy to clean.
Can also be used as a Rabbit Cage/ Run, Guinea Pig Cage/Run, Chicken, Quail, Fowl or Poultry House.

All solid pine wood, better quality than other coops on market
Slatted wood roof, can be opened
Two doors and one windows on the front
Two front doors can be locked
Inside door can be opened from outside
Nesting box included
Slide out Cleaning Tray
Strong Galvanized mesh wire
Fully treated for outdoor use
The roofed run attached to the hutch is included
Two Roosting Bars inside
Some Assembly is required, takes about one hour easy work with instruction.


Chicken Coop Dimensions
Outside:
82.7 in(L)x52.4in(H)x27.5in(W)
2100mm(L)x1330mm(H)x700mm(W)
Inside:
Coop/House Inside Area is 25.5" x 25.5"
Approximately 4.5 sq.ft
NEST BOX Inside Dimension
26.6" long x 13.2" with x 14.8" deep
Run Area Inside Measurements
Total Run Area Is About 64" long x 25.5" deep
Approximately 11.3 sq.ft

Thank you in advance!

-Jennifer

 

[lindseyawest]

I have no direct experience, but I've read that the pre-fab/kit coops are okay, but usually don't fit nearly as many hens as the packaging/description says they will. A lot of people think they don't come with enough ventilation usually either, so you might need to add more ventilation to the coop if you go with it. Hope that helps and that others with more direct experience can chime in.

 

[scooter147]

Here is my opinion.

RUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Number of reasons I wouldn't buy nor do I like these prefab very small coops.

1. Living in a climate like you have in Houston they are going to bake in that thing at night.
2. They are typically very cheaply made.
3. From the size of it I would say 2 hens max. My guess is the manufactory says 4-6.

I use to hold meeting for a backyard club where I live. I cannot tell you the number of horror stories I've heard and seen as they relate to these prefab coops.

You are much better off saving your money and building or having built your own coop with proper materials, ventilation, protection from predators etc.

That's my two cents worth.

 

[LI chickie]

Made in China sorry too many problems with that

 

[chickie484]

I actually purchased this exact coop online last year. It arrived quickly, but when we put it together, there were pieces broken (was not properly packaged for shipping). It was advertised to hold 4 to 6 chickens, but seeing it in person after assembly, i'd say 2 chickens at best. It is Tiny! It's also very drafty and not too sturdy to be outside in the elements year round. Plus, the roof would probably need to be shingled to prevent leaks. Long story short, we disassembled it & tried to return it & get my $ back. I was told they would deduct the cost of shipping back to them, & i'd be losing $ in the end. They actually recommended selling it on craigslist, which is what i did. There's a reason so many of these types of units are on craigslist. Wish i would've known all this before i bought it, so hopefully this was of some help to you.

 

[birds4kids]

Something like that I could see using as an intermediate coop or segregation coop if afforded some other protection from weather. If I saw one on Craig's list today for $100 I might take it for a day coop for 3week olds or short term segregation, but not $280 with permanent hopes.

Ask around, bet you know a handyman/woman you could show that picture to and ask them to expand on it some and trade a case of beer and weekly dozen eggs for the for the foreseeable future.

 

[Eggsoteric]

I have this exact same coop that came with 2 hens I got from someone looking to rehome them because of predator problems. I used the coop only to integrate the 2 hens into the main flock following quarantine (I was able to place the coop and run in the main pen). Save your money. The coop is flimsy, it leaked and mold formed, would not at all be predator proof and there was barely enough room for 2 hens much less the 4 that the previous owner kept in it. It served its purpose for me and, once the hens were integrated, the coop part went into storage in the barn and I ended up breaking down the wire panels that made up the run to use as covers for a brooder I built (the latter turned out to be the best part of this coop setup).

I'd look for something a bit more sturdy. Perhaps a large wooden dog house or small playhouse or shed - something that you can retrofit or revamp. There are a lot of really good coop ideas in the coop section of this forum - since you're in a warm climate, you could even look into building something like a hoop coop.

Good luck!

 

[bucky52]

They are cheaply made. and very small.I just purchased a prefab coop.At our local tractor supply.It works for what I needed it for.i have 6 three week old chicks.It Easily went together in about 1 hour.We have it in a secure run.other wise I would not trust it out in a open area.my husband has already cut a opening in the side for ventilation.I 'am 63 .and can pick up one side of it and scoot it around.it was on sale for 149.00.There were no ventilation.My husband has already cut a opening for ventilation.and it still needs more vents.My husband has built 3 nice coops.but I did not want to put any stress on him building another.

 

[Goodfolk]

Thank you so much for that reply! I was afraid of that. So grateful you stopped me from making that mistake.

 

[45ishChickenMom]

One more reply... I just purchased a kit online because I'm not handy at all, and neither is my husband. It's a little different from the one you posted, but the same wood, materials, etc. My chicks are almost 4 weeks old, and I am wracking my brain to fortify the coop and add an extended run. These kits can't last beyond 2 years, and I live in WI. I've heard plastic and fiberglass coops are a bit hardier too. Look up BackyardPoultry.com and maybe pick up a copy from a magazine rack. LOTS of helpful ads...