FML...the coop we ordered is from a scam company, help!

[ChickenMamaC]

Oh i'm sorry! Those are awful people! I kid you not you can get all those coops on overstock for less than half what those buttholes are selling for.

Argh. So frustrated. $500 later!! Let's hope my bank reverses the charge.

 

[Pugsabi]

I just went to Lowe's and they have sheds from $219 and up. Add a little hardware cloth, ventilation, and 2x4's and you'll be golden.

 

[ChickenMamaC]

I just went to Lowe's and they have sheds from $219 and up. Add a little hardware cloth, ventilation, and 2x4's and you'll be golden.View attachment 1453562

About how tall is that shed? How many chickens do you have?

 

[PetesChicks]

About how tall is that shed? How many chickens do you have?

If you click the thumbnail, you can see the dimensions. 71”, just under 6’. That’s probably to the peak. And 4 1/2’ x 5 1/2’ for the footprint, makes it just big enough for 6 chickens if you build raised nest boxes and use a poop board.

You would need to add a lot of ventilation, metal sheds can turn into ovens in the summer. Also, moisture (from poop & respiration) can condensate on the ceiling in winter and rain down on them, so you would want to do something there - foam board would probably be easiest.

IMHO, a larger wood built shed would be better, but if this fits your budget it is way better than the coop that you got scammed out of.

 

[ChickenMamaC]

If you click the thumbnail, you can see the dimensions. 71”, just under 6’. That’s probably to the peak. And 4 1/2’ x 5 1/2’ for the footprint, makes it just big enough for 6 chickens if you build raised nest boxes and use a poop board.

You would need to add a lot of ventilation, metal sheds can turn into ovens in the summer. Also, moisture (from poop & respiration) can condensate on the ceiling in winter and rain down on them, so you would want to do something there - foam board would probably be easiest.

IMHO, a larger wood built shed would be better, but if this fits your budget it is way better than the coop that you got scammed out of.

Definitely do need wood. Metal would be way too hot here in the high desert.

 

[Pugsabi]

They have others, that was just the cheapest at my local Lowe's. I just wanted to show that it can be done for your budget.

 

[PetesChicks]

Definitely do need wood. Metal would be way too hot here in the high desert.

I didn’t even notice where you were.

Yes, you’ll definitely want wood. Maybe even with one side being open, just framing and hardware cloth for security.

 

[Shamo Hybrid]

Definitely do need wood. Metal would be way too hot here in the high desert.

Girlfriend...... get on Craigslist and go bargain hunting!!! Your chickens are depending on you to make the right choice this time around!

 

[ChickenMamaC]

Question (as I look for coops and/or plans in panic-mode

Do they really need 4 sq ft ea in the coop if it’s only for sleeping? MOST of the year is sunny and dry here, and they will have 200 sq Ft in the run— so 28ish sq ft per chicken.

I’m looking at one that’s about 18 sq ft but it has two roosting bars that run the full length 52.5”, so plenty of roosting space. It has three nesting boxes— okay for 7 chickens?

Thoughts? Thanks for all the advice so far. I’m simultaneously trying to find a suitable coop AND fighting to get my money back. Grrrrrrr....

 

[jthornton]

I have 9 Rhode Island Red pullets that roost in a 4' x 5' coop with 10' of roost bars. Make sure the roost bars are at least 12" from any wall. Take the next boxes and make a planter out of it. Put a single 36" wide by 14" tall by 14" deep or larger nest box in the run so it's lower than the coop floor. And I'm assuming like most online coops the roosts are on the floor of the "coop".

If your feed, water and nest box is in the run then that coop is large enough. A link would help...

JT