Has anyone ever seen/used this coop?

[Diesel84]

Hi BYC!!! I'm new here and am going to be getting 3 australorp chicks in a few weeks.. I was looking over smaller coop/runs and came across this one. they want me to pay for the plans however my grandfather is an excellent builder and is going to attempt it for me. Any advice on measurements? What it looks like it should measure? I also plan on letting them free range as much as possible - so this would be more of an "eating/sleeping/while i'm at work" place for them. Heck, any advice at all would be great! I am on a tight budget but want to provide the best home for my lil chickies! Thanks!!!


The Big Egg Chicken Tractor (pictured above) is our largest coop. It has an attached run that measures 120 inches long, 32 inches wide and 24 inches tall. The coop measures 44 inches wide, 43 inches long and averages 36 inches tall. It has three roosts and can accommodates up to 8 hens.

Ok, so I tried to post the picture but it won't let me copy it so here's the link:

www.GardenEggs.com

 

[CoyoteMagic]

3 1/2 feet wide x 31/2 long coop =12.5 sq ft in coop FLOOR space /4 sq ft per chicken=3.06 chickens MAX.

It's also made with Chicken wire. Dogs, raccoons and other critters will go right through it.

 

[fldiver97]

First ...

. I wish I would have checked the site closer and gathered more info before I bought a pre-fab chicken coop. You re lucky that your grandfather can build one for you. The coop you are looking at is OK but even the large one is only big enough for 3 standard size chickens, 4 if you are really pushing it and you live in a climate where it is warm enough to use the coop for sleeping and egg laying. I would check out the coop designs for some ideas and even plans to build. As far as building a coop goes, you can do it for less than buying one. There are a number of tractors and 'regular' coops, depends on your needs. Many used free or inexpensive materials (check Freecycle, Craigslist, construction sites, Habitat ReStore etc.) Remember you should have about 4 square feet per chicken in the coop, roost higher than nestbox and, especially in cold climate , preferably a 2x4 flat roost not a bar, a nestbox for every 3 or 4 chickens, plenty of ventilation, possibly windows for light, easy access to the eggs, easy access to feed/water and easy access to cleaning the coop.... I now use a converted garden/tool shed than I put windows and some high vents in and added roosts and nestboxes. It is wonderful to be able to walk in for chores without having to crouch and twist

Take a little time and check the posts here and the pictures. It ill lso give you an idea what you need to consider re your climate (Alaska vs Florida.....) and predator proofing, tractor style or stationary......Good luck with your chickens, remember - they are addictive, you'll probably want more in just a short time!!!!!

 

[Diesel84]

Hm.. I'm thinking you guys are right. Thank you for your input.. Does anybody have any ideas on how maybe I can alter this kind of model to work for my 3 hens? I wanted a movable tractor/coop so I can rotate it around my backyard but that was small enough to not take up too much space or that would give the neighbors a sneek peak

lol. Also, what could I use as an alternative to chicken wire? I live in central Florida and rarely see any rodents in my area besides racoons... However I don't want my lil chickies to be the example of how predators do exist in my area either just to prove me wrong! Lol..

 

[bad_coffee]

Diesel,
You want to get "hardware cloth" Or "welded wire fencing." Hardware cloth is small enough that pests can't reach in and grab a chicken.

Quote:
Where can I find .06 of a chicken? And please don't tell me KFC! (okay, I need more coffee this morning.)

B

 

[Diesel84]

Found a link for a video of it as well: