I want a new coop! help!

[csaylorchickens]

I want to get a new coop, mine is just on the wee small side for four hens, but the girls make it work and they have a large run so that helps. I want to get another coop because I want more chickens, but I do not want to build one. I should have listened to the chicken math and get a larger one to begin with :/
I want a prefab coop, but I cant spend too much on it, It just makes it easier. $500 is pushing it. Dose anyone have any recommendations for a prefab coop?

 

[joelharper]

I am having the same problem that you are, I have 5 hens. I am looking into just building a new coop, they are in a prefab one now. The problem that I am having with the prefab one. It is only about waist high and its so small for them, they just started laying eggs yesterday. I am looking into building an 8x8 coop with a run. The whole thing will be 8x16 with the run included, because I want more chickens. I would stay away from the prefab coops, because they are small, I personally don't think they work in the long run, and because they can be kind of expensive. Mine was around 370.00 dollars. I wish that I would have just put that money into building a coop myself. If you are going to buy a prefab one, be prepared to spend more than 500.00 for a decent size one.

 

[roosterscity]

Check your local Craigslist. Some offer to build custome coop for a reasonable price.

 

[csaylorchickens]

I tried but no luck
I found tons of free scrap wood to make a coop so I guess I'm stuck making one lol

 

[Emma Miriam]

Well, I bought The Smart Chicken Coop DIY kit...and it looks like you're in California, so you'd spend a lot less on shipping than I did!

 

[csaylorchickens]

http://chickensaloon.com/
This is the best I have found on the web. It seems like they have a sturdy design and it will last as well as well as being affordable. I do not need a run to attach to it because I already have a run. $399 for a 6-8 hen house with three nesting boxes. After looking at the dimensions, I think that it suits 4-5 larger hens and 7-8 bantam hens. I think if I order this one I will keep my other coop as well. The issue with the ones on the site is that they do not have the roosting bars higher than the nesting boxes. But my girls already like to roost an never hang out in the nesting boxes unless they are laying.
I want to get a couple of silkies this next spring so the roost bars down low would make sense for that breed.

I also found coopsdirect.com, but they only deliver to the UK. Theirs were the best designs that were affordable. I think the more popular raising backyard chickens becomes the more options there will be eventually.

 

[Percheron chick]

That coop is only 9 square feet.

 

[chiques chicks]

There are, or were, free plans online at Purina for a 4x4 coop. It could easily be expanded to 4x8. It would use for sheets of plywood and some 2x4's. I've built several this way. Just a big box with some do is cut in.

My 8x8 coop cost around $600 to build, but I added some extras like double walls, it is walk in, 5 nest boxes, flip up roosts for cleaning. The big expense seemed to be hardware, hinges, hasps, latches. I think that was over $100 of the cost.

 

[HighStreetCoop]

There are, or were, free plans online at Purina for a 4x4 coop. It could easily be expanded to 4x8. It would use for sheets of plywood and some 2x4's. I've built several this way. Just a big box with some do is cut in.

My 8x8 coop cost around $600 to build, but I added some extras like double walls, it is walk in, 5 nest boxes, flip up roosts for cleaning. The big expense seemed to be hardware, hinges, hasps, latches. I think that was over $100 of the cost.

There are plans in A Chicken in Every Yard that are basic, cheap, and look easily expandable.

http://www.amazon.com/Chicken-Every...96136&sr=1-1&keywords=a+chicken+in+every+yard

 

[csaylorchickens]

well my search continues thank you for your input

That coop was only 3x3 not big enough for me. On craigs list I have a few options: http://bakersfield.craigslist.org/grd/5126769431.html

This guy has amazing coops! They are very functional and the 4x4 one is great if you are not in need of a run. But 4 large hens will fit comfortably and maybe a few batnams.

or

I found tons of free wood pallets that are available and free wood that is available. so I can pay $375 for a premade coop or spend probably $100 or less and build my own. I am not savy with buiding so that make me nervous, but I can customize it to the way I want it