In search of coop plans.

[will_19_]

Hi,

I'm going to start raising chickens for eggs, but I need to build a coop first. I don't need anything large and fancy. I'm only looking to have between 3 and 5 hens.

Does anyone have any materials lists and plans that they'd be willing to send me? I'm looking to spend about $100 on materials. Is this a reasonable amount to figure?

I'm really excited to get started and would like to begin building this weekend.

I live in Michigan, so it is quite cold in the winter. I do live on 3 acres of a hay/alfalfa field so I'd like the hens to be able to peck around the field. However, there are some wild cats outdoors that may give them a chase. Also, there's a lot of raccoons & coyotes in the area.

Thanks in advance for your help!!

William

 

[poopcoop]

I don't have any coop plans for somthing that small. Have you looked on the coop page? They have alot of plan and ideas and sometimes you can take different ideas and make something work for you.

Good Luck,

Ray

I was born and raised in Flat Rock, MI

 

[will_19_]

Quote:
What size plans do you have? I'm willing to go bigger (what guy isn't?), but don't want to sink in more than $200 if I don't have to.

I'm pretty inept when it comes to building structures (I'm a programmer and can build applications and webpages...just not much else) so I'm really looking for something along the lines of "1. Buy this that and the other thing. 2. Cut this down to that and do something else. 3. Attach the flange to the thingamabopper."

 

[arlee453]

Try Dennis's playhouse coop. It would be great for a small number of hens, especially if they get some free ranging time and very tight for winter also.

If you skimp on the roofing and materials (he uses reaally nice cedar on his sample) then you could probably make it for around $100-200 especially if you can scrounge some lumber and materials.

I used his plan to make my parakeet aviary. Note, I left off the really nice nesting area on his.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=55746

Here's a video of the coop too:

I don't know Dennis from Adam, I am just a very pleased customer of his plans.

You can buy the plans off ebay, or email him from the youtube link.

Another good small coop is this one. It's not as tight for really cold weather though. I bought and built these plans too - cost was about $200 or so for the large version and it comfortably holds 12 chickens IF they have a run - you couldn't leave that many cooped up in there 24x7. Downside for colder climates is the raised wire floor. I suppose you could adjust the plans to set it right on the ground, but then it's be a pretty short coop... These plans are really well done though - step by step instructions. I have about 12 chickens sleeping in there now, but they are out and about in their run the rest of the day - they only sleep and lay eggs in the coop.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Chicken-Coop-Pl...ryZ47103QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[poopcoop]

I have plans for a 10x12 which you see as my avatar. It cost me around $300, but i found alot of it in the Home Depot clearance sections (window $2.00, hindges $.50 , bad 2x4's $1.00) I spent alot of time bargin shopping. I probably saved $150 just by doing that.

 

[FloridaChickenChick]

Mother Earth magazine's website has a small tractor style coop online. I built this but am now worried that it may not be secure enough to be a permanent home. Also, they said it will house three chickens but I'm thinking it might be better suited to only two.

I don't even HAVE chickens yet so I'm no expert. Don't have time to track down the link but it was very easy to find..googled mother earth magazine and then searched their site for coop plans. Took me about 3 minutes to find it.

Good luck!

 

[KrisRose]

If you lived in a warm climate you probably could get by with a small coop and only spending a 100 bucko's. As you know, last winter was horrible. My chickens spent about 95% of their time in the coop, so I always suggest building bigger for room for them to move around in.
I purchased a kit and it was way more then you want to spend. If you go cheap (nothing wrong in that) then you are going to need a little bit more carpentry skills then what you got. To recycle free wood and then build your coop I would call in favors from family and/or buddies with tools (tools are very important).
Also, do what other posters are suggesting, check out as many coop plans as possible. There is Seachick's garage coop and tractor style coops which might fit your budget.
I do not suggest raised coop for our area, that is just another exposed surfaced to lose heat from.

 

[Davaroo]

A hundred bucks? I can think of one or two. Even a straw bale coop will do for a few chickens. I've built this one for that or less:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/coops/ben-removed.html

But, few $100 tractors or small coops are going to be proof against that menagerie of predators! Wildcats, racoons and coyote's? - oh, my!

Youll want to invest in some serious fencing and some very solid construction. And traps, and a gun....

Seriously, it would be a disservice to plunk a bunch of luckless chickens down in that threat laden environment without first taking precautions for their protection.

 

[will_19_]

Wow...you guys/gals in this forum are AWESOME!! I've never seen so many quick, informative, friendly responses from forum users!! I have a feeling my browser will be parked on this site for quite some time while I learn the ropes.

However, I think I may have sold myself a little short... (even though I'm 6'4")

I do know how to build things. I can cut, nail, staple, glue, etc....that's not the problem. The problem is coming up with all the right materials and putting it together properly. That's why I like to have a good set of instructions. My luck, I'd have to make 30 runs to the hardware/lumber store, which unfortunately is about an hours drive away from me...can't be doing that with today's gas prices, otherwise the coop will cost me 1K. LoL

I do have a Miter saw, reciprocal saw, drills, hammers, etc...so the tools won't be a problem. I guess it's just when it comes to this type of thing, I like it spelled out pretty plain.

I definitely want to make sure my ladies are protected. I'd hate for anything to happen to them. Whatever I do, I'll surely provide adequate protection.

The only bad thing is the fact that it looks like I have to buy the plans...which cuts $35 out of my budget.

 

[poopcoop]

I wouldn't spend any money on any plans. Figure out what you want and how big and we can put together a material sheet.