Getting started in Ohio!

[Bev1]

I ordered the Nestera. I know the feedback from this thread was against, but I've read some reviews (and I even messaged the Coffee with the Chicken Ladies!) and I'm going ahead. I don't have the time or inclination to build or modify my own coop. If it is too small for all six hens (or 8 if I successfully raise them all, I'll do my best!) I'll sell the extra pullets at the end of the summer. I probably should've waited to order, but I got to excited, and now it's arriving today!

Very nice! Let me know how you like it.
I just purchased a coop from a local Amish family. Will need a few mods, but it looks great. We are going to put it on a trailer so we can move it around the 1 acre yard and have it close to the house during the winter. It still needs ventilation on the top. I am going to find some linoleum remnants to put on the floor to make cleaning easier. We are also going to put in an electrical package so I can plug in a heated waterer and maybe some type of heat source for extremely cold (sub zero days) during the winter.
The coop is large enough for 12 regular sized birds. If all of mine survive (10) they should be really happy. I also purchased some portable fencing to give them a relatively safe yard to forage around.

 

[Debbie292d]

I ordered the Nestera. I know the feedback from this thread was against, but I've read some reviews (and I even messaged the Coffee with the Chicken Ladies!) and I'm going ahead. I don't have the time or inclination to build or modify my own coop. If it is too small for all six hens (or 8 if I successfully raise them all, I'll do my best!) I'll sell the extra pullets at the end of the summer. I probably should've waited to order, but I got to excited, and now it's arriving today!

When they say 3-9 hens, which I saw on their Medium Chicken Lodge, that sure makes me wonder what hens they are comparing though. Its outside square footage is 14.24, with the perches and nest boxes up off the floor. The nest boxes wouldn't count, but say the extra 2 sq feet for the perches does, that brings it to 16 sq ft. I would definitely go with the low end of what they say fit as at 4 sq ft per bird minimum, that's 4 chickens. They'll be locked in there on extremely cold days/inclement weather, so overcrowding it will cause pecking and other issues.

Not trying to burst your bubble at all though as they look like they would almost last forever. Can't say that about most prebuilts! Maybe this will get you started and you could add onto it when chicken math hits.

 

[PurpleSeaStar]

When they say 3-9 hens, which I saw on their Medium Chicken Lodge, that sure makes me wonder what hens they are comparing though. Its outside square footage is 14.24, with the perches and nest boxes up off the floor. The nest boxes wouldn't count, but say the extra 2 sq feet for the perches does, that brings it to 16 sq ft. I would definitely go with the low end of what they say fit as at 4 sq ft per bird minimum, that's 4 chickens. They'll be locked in there on extremely cold days/inclement weather, so overcrowding it will cause pecking and other issues.

Not trying to burst your bubble at all though as they look like they would almost last forever. Can't say that about most prebuilts! Maybe this will get you started and you could add onto it when chicken math hits.

I ordered the large, which is marketed for 5 to 15. While I ordered 8 chicks, my goal is 6.... So I'm definitely aiming for the lower end of the chicken spectrum. And yeah, who can say what the future will bring!

 

[Nashville Hen Mom]

Hi!

I just wanted to let you know that I have had all kinds of coops over the years and the last one we got (and probably the last one we will ever get) is a large Nestera coop with an automatic opener. My first chickens many years ago were housed in a converted shed that was already on the property. I had someone to help, as I certainly did not have time or skills to convert it myself (and I'm fairly handy). The run was immovable and I felt like the girls were always running around in the mud. The coop was a dreaded chore to clean out.

Fast-forward to ten years ago at my current residence where we purchased a cedar tractor-type coop. One could move it, but it was heavy and required moving the hardware cloth underneath and reinstalling it each time. As the years went by, it warped and had to be repaired several times. It was always a little dirtier than I liked. One could not install an automatic door. After much looking, we decided to replace it with a large Nestera coop last spring. Our chickens free-range in their own part of the yard and only use the coop when they are laying eggs or sleeping.

We have a camera in the coop and one watching the outside at night. There have been several raccoons and foxes around the coop, though they haven't ever tried very hard to get in because it is nearly impossible. We just lost our first bird (after 10 years) to what was likely a raccoon at dusk, but it was no fault of the coop. The others were already in the process of going in and she was busy dawdling too close to the fence.

We currently have three heavy breed birds, but have had up to five in this coop. It has been great for us and super easy to clean and care for, as it is sturdy and I believe will last many years. If you have any questions about dealing with your Nestera coop, please give me a shout!

Best of luck from a former Buckeye!