In need of a coop!

[bears_mimi]

I was wondering who has purchased a coop from Tractor Supply or elsewhere and how has your experience been? I imagine there will be quite a few modifications that will need to be done, but I would rather just purchase one vs. trying to build one.

 

[BuffOrps32]

I have personally never bought, but I can try to help.

Questions:
How many birds do you want?
What is the temperature where you live?
Do you want built-in nest boxes or will you build those?
On the ground or elevated?
How large is the run around it?
What is your bedding type?
Where will you put food and water?

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

I was wondering who has purchased a coop from Tractor Supply or elsewhere and how has your experience been? I imagine there will be quite a few modifications that will need to be done, but I would rather just purchase one vs. trying to build one.

The prefab coops are never big enough. You’ll need 4 sqft per bird so your best bet is to purchase a she and do modifications.

 

[bears_mimi]

I would love to get 12, I live in Northern GA, Not real worried about nesting boxes (most store bought coops have them built in) Would rather it be elevated. We have 2 acres they will hopefully free range on (chances are they will have to stay in a run, I'm not too sure of all the critters that are in this area. I did have about a 4 ft black snake in my yard last year). Bedding type I haven't decided on yet. Food and water will be either in the coop or in the run or both.

 

[bears_mimi]

The prefab coops are never big enough. You’ll need 4 sqft per bird so your best bet is to purchase a she and do modifications.

Chances are they are darn near the same price also, lol.

 

[BuffOrps32]

I would love to get 12, I live in Northern GA, Not real worried about nesting boxes (most store bought coops have them built in) Would rather it be elevated. We have 2 acres they will hopefully free range on (chances are they will have to stay in a run, I'm not too sure of all the critters that are in this area. I did have about a 4 ft black snake in my yard last year). Bedding type I haven't decided on yet. Food and water will be either in the coop or in the run or both.

Ok, so it's 4 sq. feet per bird. You'd need 48 sq. feet. So, you should find a larger one. However, chances are you won't find one online that is the right size. Since you will free range I wouldn't worry though.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Have you looked at sheds?

The prefab coops from tractor supply and most other places are made from soft wood that has been known to warp, crack and fail within the first year.

For 12 hens an 8x8 shed or coop would be a good size. It will allow room for nests and feed/water inside.

 

[HotWingsHoulihen]

I bought a prefab coop from TSC because it was on sale. I returned it a week later because I realized it was only big enough to hold 2-3 chickens and not the 9-10 it stated on the box.

1. A pain to clean out
2. Wood needs to be weather-proofed
3. Cheap construction - Could be ripped apart by an overzealous predator
4. Too small
5. Seemed like it would be drafty
6. Inadequate ventilation

For the same price of one of those coops I bought materials and started building a 4'x8' coop to house all the girls comfortably. I was also able to buy materials to construct a 10'x20' run.

For what you pay for the prefabs they are just not worth the money.

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

The prefab coops are never big enough. You’ll need 4 sqft per bird so your best bet is to purchase a she and do modifications.

If you don’t get something like a shed you’ll be paying the same price for a coop year after year. Like others said you need on that is going to last and made of a hardwood. The other will warp and break.

 

[IamRainey]

My first plan was a prefab coop. I looked at one and it was instantly clear that nothing about it was enough. It wasn't big enough. It wasn't strong enough. It wasn't designed at all to be practical.

My next plan was to have mine built to protect my birds and meet my needs. I spent about $3K (as opposed to the roughly $300 for the prefabs) 'cause neither my husband nor I can be trusted with a hammer let alone a saw and we hired a carpenter and used new materials. You can do it soooo much cheaper. But my point is I've never regretted any of it.

I haven't lost a bird to a predator. Don't have illness from a neglected environment. Don't have birds attacking one another from stress. Haven't had to make a repair or adjustment. Haven't put my back out trying to reach into something. Haven't avoided doing any cleanup because it's too difficult. Haven't looked out at my yard (which is only 1/2 an acre) and regretted something I don't enjoy seeing.

By all means do what you can afford. Do something temporary or put it off for a bit if you have to but do it with a plan that really meets your needs and your birds' needs. You both deserve to start out right.