Help Needed

[BrandonsBirbs]

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Are either of these coops any good, ignoring the runs I know they are small. I may be getting some bantam silkies and will likely keep 2-4, I have no plans to upgrade to more birds afterwards if these are okay, and will not be able to. I will make my own runs for whichever. The cheaper one would be better obviously but idk what's great. I will treat them and make modifications if needed/helpful. Thank you greatly.

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From here: https://www.chickencoopsdirect.com/devon-hen-house-with-run

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From here: https://www.petsimperial.co.uk/chicken-coops/savoy-chicken-coop-double-nest-box

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[SandyRiverChick]

As much as these get a bad rap, and even from me, they are not completely useless especially if they are a good price. I build everything myself but I've purchased 2 much like you're thinking, to modify for specific uses like a brooder, chicken hospital, broody breaker. I really like having all of the different screen frames. SO my recommendation is yeah sure get one. But not if it's going to be outside, completely exposed to the elements. Have it surrounded by something better. Like inside a barn? Shed? Carport? I have one in my Garage for day old babies and one in my coop for the rest of the brooding adventure. They just do not hold up to weather but protected, they are certainly better than dog crates, tubs, etc. I hope that helps, good luck and have fun!!!

 

[Aunt Angus]

As much as these get a bad rap, and even from me, they are not completely useless especially if they are a good price. I build everything myself but I've purchased 2 much like you're thinking, to modify for specific uses like a brooder, chicken hospital, broody breaker. I really like having all of the different screen frames. SO my recommendation is yeah sure get one. But not if it's going to be outside, completely exposed to the elements. Have it surrounded by something better. Like inside a barn? Shed? Carport? I have one in my Garage for day old babies and one in my coop for the rest of the brooding adventure. They just do not hold up to weather but protected, they are certainly better than dog crates, tubs, etc. I hope that helps, good luck and have fun!!!

I've seen folks around here use coops like those in welded wire or chain link dog kennels with good results.

 

[tlcmurphy]

FYI- That last coop with the green roof is super small, I’ve seen it in person.

 

[BrandonsBirbs]

As much as these get a bad rap, and even from me, they are not completely useless especially if they are a good price. I build everything myself but I've purchased 2 much like you're thinking, to modify for specific uses like a brooder, chicken hospital, broody breaker. I really like having all of the different screen frames. SO my recommendation is yeah sure get one. But not if it's going to be outside, completely exposed to the elements. Have it surrounded by something better. Like inside a barn? Shed? Carport? I have one in my Garage for day old babies and one in my coop for the rest of the brooding adventure. They just do not hold up to weather but protected, they are certainly better than dog crates, tubs, etc. I hope that helps, good luck and have fun!!!

I've seen folks around here use coops like those in welded wire or chain link dog kennels with good results.

Like something similar to this? I do like these but will be a lot of effort to both UK weather proof it and save from predators. Doable though!

 

[BrandonsBirbs]

FYI- That last coop with the green roof is super small, I’ve seen it in person.

I think they're both pretty small in the grand scheme of things but that's sort of what I'm looking for, and it will be for bantams. My 3-4 is possible but it may just be 2. They're both almost the same size I do believe, the top one is just meant to be better quality wood.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

The 1st one would be my pick, especially with silkies. Are the measurements in inches or cm?

 

[BrandonsBirbs]

The 1st one would be my pick, especially with silkies. Are the measurements in inches or cm?

Sorry, UK, so centimetres. 1st one looks more solid but is it worth the extra £150, I'm not sure.. thank you though for making my decision even harder

 

[3KillerBs]

IMO, they fail the "If it looks like a dollhouse it's only suitable for toy chickens" test.

A large-fowl chicken needs at least 4 square feet (.37 square meters), per bird. Bantams are usually said to need half that. So, theoretically, 4 large-fowl birds would need at least 16 square feet (1.4 square meters). Thus, theoretically, 4 bantam Silkies would have to have at least 8 square feet (.7 square meters).

The dimensions of those coops *might* just BARELY make those numbers on floor space(my metric conversion skills are a little weak), assuming that you have the feed and water out in the run, but the general design is so bad....

There is essentially no ventilation. You need at least 2 square feet and it needs to be set up to create correct airflow. The existing vents on the first one, though tiny, are kind-of in the right place -- at the top -- but there is no roof overhang and no shelter for the vents so the rain would come right in, forcing you to close them and have no airflow at all.

The second one has as much square footage in the nests as in the coop proper -- a sure sign that the designer knew nothing about chickens' real needs.

Cleaning either would be a nightmare because the access doors are small and those pull-out drawers are notorious for warping, sticking, etc..

 

[BrandonsBirbs]

IMO, they fail the "If it looks like a dollhouse it's only suitable for toy chickens" test.

A large-fowl chicken needs at least 4 square feet (.37 square meters), per bird. Bantams are usually said to need half that. So, theoretically, 4 large-fowl birds would need at least 16 square feet (1.4 square meters). Thus, theoretically, 4 bantam Silkies would have to have at least 8 square feet (.7 square meters).

The dimensions of those coops *might* just BARELY make those numbers on floor space(my metric conversion skills are a little weak), assuming that you have the feed and water out in the run, but the general design is so bad....

There is essentially no ventilation. You need at least 2 square feet and it needs to be set up to create correct airflow. The existing vents on the first one, though tiny, are kind-of in the right place -- at the top -- but there is no roof overhang and no shelter for the vents so the rain would come right in, forcing you to close them and have no airflow at all.

The second one has as much square footage in the nests as in the coop proper -- a sure sign that the designer knew nothing about chickens' real needs.

Cleaning either would be a nightmare because the access doors are small and those pull-out drawers are notorious for warping, sticking, etc..

Yeah I agree with everything you've said, and more, I just don't know where I'm meant to be looking in all honesty. I've been recommended Eglu but they're so damn expensive and so small I don't think I can justify them.

The ventilation is a huge issue, especially how humid it can be here..

I don't understand why the second one has 6 nest boxes, I assume it is only to lure people into thinking that's a great thing? It's too small for enough birds to use even 3??

I'm struggling not gonna lie. Been looking for about 3 weeks and just seems to be these two popping up every time