First Lesson Learned: Pre-fabed Coops...

[ChickenMammX4]

....too small.

When we bought our chicks we also bought a coop/run combo from the farm store. Before the chicks left the brooder tub inside the house we knew we had just made a $500. mistake :/ The coop was advertised as suitable for 6 chickens, we have 6. As our chicks grew and grew it became apparent that this just wasn't going to work long-term. 2 are Buff Orpington and at 6 weeks are almost the size of a bowling ball! The 4 Black Sex Link aren't quite as big, but will not be small birds when mature.

My husband got to work and repurposed a 8' x 18' shed (half - 8' x 9' is coop) and is building on a 8' x 16' run.

We were able to sell the purchsed coop on Craigs Liist to a family raising a couple of Silkies. Hopefully it will work for them being smaller birds.

I know now that; know the adult size, those little chicks grow into big hens, don't believe the advertised number of chickens the coop can accommodate and you'll always need more space than you think.

This forum is a God-send. I came into this fun adventure knowning zero about chickens and have learned so much. The more I read, the more I realize I don't know. Thank you all!

 

[Darmamommy]

So sorry about the pre fab coop!

We are first time chick raisers too. We have 3 Buff Orpingtons and 3 Black SexLinks (also known as Black Stars, I believe). The buffs are 2 weeks old and the Blacks are 4 weeks and already can fly.

We looked into all kinds of coops and designs. We talked with a local feed store owner and he strongly recommend not getting a pre fab. He had someone bring him one that was new. They were selling their whole flock because they were moving out of state. It only lasted 9 months and started to fall apart and held less chickens than it stated it could. So we set to a plan and made our own. It has taken a while but it is almost done. We plan on selling 2 when they are pullets and keeping 4 of them.

One of the Orpingtons has had an eye issue from day 1. She is also a loner. She puts herself in the corner away from the others and is not thriving. Not sure what will happen to her. I've been doing everything I can to help her. So we'll see.

Well, I hope your adventure goes well.