In Ohio, anyone have an estimated cost of building a coop?

[OhioClucker]

I'm in Ohio (heart of Amish Country!) and needing to build a coop for a good price! I got chicken wire on sale for $20 for 36" by 50ft (nabbed two of them!). I have six chicks and I know I need a minimum of 36 sq ft.
So can anyone give me an estimated cost of materials?
OR suggestions on how I can do it step by step and complete it during by the end of August?

 

[Aime137]

There are a lot of different coop designs to choose from. Some things you might need to consider are :
-What is the likelihood of predators being able to get to the coop? Is it in a fenced area or out in a field? It doesn't take much to keep chickens in, but it requires more than chicken wire to keep predators out.
-Are you going to have a coop with an attached run?

There are so many different scenarios for keeping chickens, it's difficult to give you advice without knowing what your hoping to accomplish. Can you tell us more about if they will be free roaming or confined? What are the weather conditions like where you live?

 

[Aime137]

Forgot to mention...it typically costs me about $150.00 to build a 4' x 8' coop/run.

 

[OhioClucker]

There are a lot of different coop designs to choose from. Some things you might need to consider are :
-What is the likelihood of predators being able to get to the coop? Is it in a fenced area or out in a field? It doesn't take much to keep chickens in, but it requires more than chicken wire to keep predators out.
-Are you going to have a coop with an attached run?

There are so many different scenarios for keeping chickens, it's difficult to give you advice without knowing what your hoping to accomplish. Can you tell us more about if they will be free roaming or confined? What are the weather conditions like where you live?

What else would I need to keep predators out? We live in a rural setting, surrounded by woods. Tonight we had a raccoon visit us and I think they'll be my biggest problem.
My plan is to attach the run to the coop, I'm not sure of the style of coop to go with as cost will be a huge factor. They will be confined while I am away during the day. However I will let them roam when I am home. We have neighbors who share our drive so I don't want them to wonder down into their super nice flower beds.....

My plan was to place the coop near the woods so they would have the shade of the trees.

Ohio weather, well it's known to rain, snow, and be hot all in one day. I plan to insulate it, but it might not be something I can do right now.

 

[loveourbirds]

you said amish country, are you close to west union?

 

[OhioClucker]

you said amish country, are you close to west union?

I had to Google Map it! No, it looks like you are down near the boarder of Ohio/Kentucky. I'm closer to Cleveland, kinda.

 

[loveourbirds]

please bear with the questions, im assuming around berlin area?
how many birds do you have and what type? do you want it moveable? what kind of budget? how long do you want it to last? external or internal nesting boxes? is there a sawmill close to you?

 

[OhioClucker]

please bear with the questions, im assuming around berlin area?
how many birds do you have and what type? do you want it moveable? what kind of budget? how long do you want it to last? external or internal nesting boxes? is there a sawmill close to you?

Berlin, yes.
6 birds- 3 bantams (2 are silkies), 2 ISA Browns, and a black one I can't remember the breed of for certain but MAYBE and Americanus (if that's even the right name)
Budget- I want to keep it as low as possible for right now, hopeful to be able to perfect it over a few months. I just know they are getting too big for their brooder and need outdoors.
Last- as long as possible.
Internal- I have very little building capability, and know I can manage internal ones.
Sawmill- I believe there are a few! =)

 

[loveourbirds]

does it need to match a house, neighborhood? anything along that line?

 

[loveourbirds]

this is one grow out tractor i use, it is approx. 8 feet by 8 feet. estimated cost of construction if you have to buy everything cost is about $50-60. this is just a grow out pen however, for older birds you would have to add a couple nest boxes. personally in your case i would build it taller, and enclose the bottom 2 or so feet up. if you build it 8x8 2 sheets exterior osb or plywood will do that just fine. i would add a door, and put on a metal roof (can be done later) overall cost is about $150-175 complete as mentioned. i have used these pens over the winter, you have to keep the snow knocked off. with the low design they hold in heat pretty well, i just used some old osb to block off 3 sides and faced the opening out of the wind. in southern ohio i didn't have any comb freeze in these pens with no added heat.


sorry i didn't take this picture to show the coop, only the chicks. i can get a better picture tomorrow.

edited to add: i do not use these for young birds over the winters. in early spring i do add some heat with younger birds (light shown on side of pic).