Got taken by prefab coop company

[Angelbirdy]

Wow... sadly, I agree with you.

I would still do the roof improvement you were thinking of... and the increased ventilation...

And call that a broody hen house, or for chicks.... or a lone silkie.....

And yes, start over. Though you clearly now want to tear your hair out (with good cause), you will be so much happier in the long run if you just buy a cute shed, or find a handyman to build you a cute shed and run.

Wow... sadly, I agree with you.
...you will be so much happier in the long run if you just buy a cute shed, or find a handyman to build you a cute shed and run.

We wanted to find a shed so badly! However, my dad-in-law is coming next week, and he’s HANDY! I’m rethinking and it’s looking good, just will be a lot of work.

 

[Angelbirdy]

This is my Hoop coop

I love it! I’ve decided to convert the run into more coop, with an addition in between the existing coop and run to get it to 11’ long since it’s narrow. I’m going to play with an enclosed walk in run over the entire length similar to this one.

 

[Angelbirdy]

Thanks everyone! I already feel more able to tackle this with all your kind words and feedback. I sketched out an idea of adding 48” of coop between the coop and run, closing in the existing run (with ventilation) raising the entire thing into a 3-sided screened platform That opens out into a walk in run. I measured and they lied about the dimensions even if you count the external nest box 86” long, not 96”, with the coop portion only 27” long, and run and coop width only 36” wide, not 55”, and only 53” tall, not 57.” So converting all the run space to coop would only give me 21 sq ft!
the conversion will give me 3’ wide by 11’ long, plus 6.4’ tall. My new run will combine with the under coop run to make over 80 sq ft. Now if all goes well I can keep 8 hens instead of my planned 5! I will look for good cleaning access tips before making these changes. I know this is almost more work than starting over...

 

[21hens-incharge]

My neighbor has a wall on her coop that drops down to open the coop for maintenance. I personally like the side hinged clean out doors for raised coops. Either one will give access for cleaning it.

 

[aart]

We wanted to find a shed so badly! However, my dad-in-law is coming next week, and he’s HANDY! I’m rethinking and it’s looking good, just will be a lot of work.

Build a good shed, add big roof overhangs with open soffit venting.
Save the mini coop for an isolation/growout coop.

 

[Angelbirdy]

My neighbor has a wall on her coop that drops down to open the coop for maintenance. I personally like the side hinged clean out doors for raised coops. Either one will give access for cleaning it.

Thanks! I was thinking of a slide door similar to a mini barn door with free hanging bottom with locks to avoid the slide track getting gunk in it, but I think a swing out door will work better for my space.

 

[Flockincrazy]

Most prefab coops are crap in my opinion. I use upcycled wood my coops and pens are made from upcycled pallets a tornado couldn't even take the one i made for my mom down

 

[Compost King]

Build a good shed, add big roof overhangs with open soffit venting.
Save the mini coop for an isolation/growout coop.

When I bought a prefab and realized it was not designed to last long in the elements I put it on my carport and used it for medical quarantine. I learned my lesson on prefabs. Overpriced and under built. I am sure someone somewhere makes decent ones but I believe most are likely subpar.

 

[Angelbirdy]

Most prefab coops are crap in my opinion. I use upcycled wood my coops and pens are made from upcycled pallets a tornado couldn't even take the one i made for my mom down

I’d love to see a pick! I just made 3 runs to the eco-station to pick up various wood that might work. I will likely buy the foundation posts and other critical stuff new so it’s the correct measurement.

 

[Flockincrazy]

I’d love to see a pick! I just made 3 runs to the eco-station to pick up various wood that might work. I will likely buy the foundation posts and other critical stuff new so it’s the correct measurement.

Here's my coop so far