Hello everyone

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I havent open the boxes yet so I can still return. My husband has a demanding job & doesn't have the time right now to build one for us. I was thinking about returning the one I have and getting this.
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Actually I really like this one. What are your thoughts? I appreciate all your help. We won't be doing much free ranging (unless I'm with them and watching them close) because I have an English bulldog.
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After thinking about it I'm probably going to return it. Any ideas of where I can get one from that's reputable?
 
Hey meggy77 sorry, living in Aus, I am not familiar with the prefab coops available in your area.

I did, however, struggle with 2 x prefabs joined together for a couple of years before we gave up and built our own.

Anyways, while they do serve a purpose they are not ideal and do not weather well and depending on your weather, may be starting to deteriorate in less than 2 years. Also, not real good at keeping out predators.

Having said that. I understand your situation and that a prefab is possibly your only option.

As you are not free ranging often, as I mentioned before, you will need at least 10 square foot of run space or your girls will get bored and feather picking, bullying etc may ensue.

I think I also mentioned before, general rule of thumb is to halve the number of chickens the manufacturer says the coop and run will accommodate.

The Ranch has a run of 66 square foot so that is a tiny smidgen over the minimum requirement of 10 square foot per chicken for the six you have.

What is your weather like? Will the chickens need to spend many hours or days in the coop? If yes, the Ranch coop is probably still too small for 6 chickens but if not and they are only really laying eggs and sleeping in there, it should be just OK. However, the roosts may have to be tweaked, they look a little low.

Their measurements are a little deceptive, but I think the Schoolhouse is probably only suitable for 4 chickens.

I definitely suggest shopping around some more, including larger second hand set ups.

The two key things to remember when shopping is that each chicken will need a minimum of 10 square foot of run space and 4 square foot of coop space each.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/755339/stay-away-from-chicken-saloon

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/749462/chicken-saloon

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1134224/best-prefab-coop-run-for-12-15-hens

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1154338/thoughts-on-this-coop-from-tsc

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/302561/what-is-the-best-pre-fab-coop-on-the-market

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/794042/pre-fab-chicken-coops

I hope that helps and not harping on it but I still think you would be better off converting a shed.
 
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Well after two emails and phone calls it looks like I'm stuck with the Prefab ranch... they won't take it back unless I pay for shipping.... which is 200 dollars. My husband and I decided to just make it work he's going to Reinforce it and add a larger. Maybe we can get a year out of it.. and build one next year. Thanks so much for your help!
 
meggy77 said:
Well after two emails and phone calls it looks like I'm stuck with the Prefab ranch... they won't take it back unless I pay for shipping.... which is 200 dollars. My husband and I decided to just make it work he's going to Reinforce it and add a larger. Maybe we can get a year out of it.. and build one next year. Thanks so much for your help!
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That stinks, but there have been a few posts recently about building around them to get more space and get by. ....I'll see if I can't dig up the one I'm thinking about when I'm home later and link it for you. ...basically you can enclose the whole"run" of the prefab unit to make it coop space and then build a run....later on you can build a crew cup and use the run you build now
 
Hey meggy77 .. yeah, if you can make the run bigger or as I previously suggested, enclose the whole thing with some sort of run, you should be right for a while.

Personally, I think the prefab coop sellers have a lot to answer for and I am surprised that they get away with it.

Anyways, I wish you and your flock all the best and please let us know how you are doing?
 
Teila said:
Hey meggy77 .. yeah, if you can make the run bigger or as I previously suggested, enclose the whole thing with some sort of run, you should be right for a while. 

Personally, I think the prefab coop sellers have a lot to answer for and I am surprised that they get away with it.

Anyways, I wish you and your flock all the best and please let us know how you are doing?
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I saw this on Pinterest and would like to copy it.. I'm sure it won't come out EXACTLY the same but we will try
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