In need of a coop!

[bears_mimi]

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.

Every time I've looked at them in the store they do look pretty cheaply made.

 

[CPT]

The prefabs are ok but they're not really big enough. Although those Snap & Lock coops look pretty cool and sturdy.

 

[CPT]

Although this is a cool idea too!!!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/from-dog-house-to-chicken-coop.65660/

These are hilarious:

https://thethriftycouple.com/29-ways-to-turn-junkyard-finds-into-diy-chicken-coops-and-hen-houses/

 

[IamRainey]

My neighbor started with a doghouse. It was a large wooden one. He enlarged the door and built a platform to raise it so he could get in there easily to clean. He added nest boxes to the back side. Don't know where he placed his roost poles. (I've only seen it from my yard catty corner from his.) And then he built a sturdy covered run tall enough to walk in around the whole thing.

He just has 3 hens.

He is why I have chickens now in my yard too. I just loved the sound of his hens talking to one another when I was doing my gardening. Now I have my hens talking back. And a rooster getting us all up at 5am.

 

[Shamo Hybrid]

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.

Check Craigslist.

 

[rosemarythyme]

The only way I'd honestly recommend getting a prefab is if you're restricted to a very small backyard flock, like 2 or 3 birds, and are willing to make tweaks or additions to it as needed - or if you're "trying out" chickens to see if they're right for you, with plans to build a more permanent set up if things work out well (in that case the prefab can be turned into a brooder or isolation cage later on).

 

[Ted Brown]

...Like others said you need on that is going to last and made of a hardwood.

While I do not know for certain I very much doubt that one could find a coop that is made from hardwood (eg oak, maple, etc.).

Most of the DIY coops I have seen are made from:
1) softwood 2" by 4" SPF (spruce, pine, fir) framing lumber
2) 4" by 8" sheets (all of these are manufactured from softwoods unless one spends a lot of money for specialty products - usually for furniture, boats, etc.)
3) OR boards (1" by 4", 1" by 6", etc.) of pine, cedar, etc.

Note in all cases these are softwoods.

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

While I do not know for certain I very much doubt that one could find a coop that is made from hardwood (eg oak, maple, etc.).

Most of the DIY coops I have seen are made from:
1) softwood 2" by 4" SPF (spruce, pine, fir) framing lumber
2) 4" by 8" sheets (all of these are manufactured from softwoods unless one spends a lot of money for specialty products - usually for furniture, boats, etc.)
3) OR boards (1" by 4", 1" by 6", etc.) of pine, cedar, etc.

Note in all cases these are softwoods.

Mine is made of hardwood pallets and you can definitely buy hardwood coops from the Amish or Mennonite communities.

 

[Ted Brown]

Mine is made of hardwood pallets and you can definitely buy hardwood coops from the Amish or Mennonite communities.

My apologies I tried to qualify my statements and was not trying to create an argument.

I looked at a number of both Amish and Mennonite coop sites and could not find one that offered hardwood as an option. NOT saying that a custom order for hardwood is impossible but...

The cost of a 1" by 3" by 8' red oak board from HD is $17.71; the cost of a 1" by 3" by 8' SPF board is $6.63 so close to triple the cost.

I suggest that the use of hardwood for a chicken coop is very unusual.

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

My apologies I tried to qualify my statements and was not trying to create an argument.

I looked at a number of both Amish and Mennonite coop sites and could not find one that offered hardwood as an option. NOT saying that a custom order for hardwood is impossible but...

The cost of a 1" by 3" by 8' red oak board from HD is $17.71; the cost of a 1" by 3" by 8' SPF board is $6.63 so close to triple the cost.

I suggest that the use of hardwood for a chicken coop is very unusual.

No apologies needed friend. Around where I’m at, hardwood is more readily available than softwood. I guess it all depends on location!