Indecisive about coop

[ExhaustedBrachiosaurus]

Hi all, I'm looking for some wisdom around coop designs for my 6 chickens who should be hatching in the next 10 days or so. I have a brooder for them, so am set for a small bit. I do not have a coop yet. Initially I was set on getting an Eglu Pro, but the price tag and the ventilation situation has me pausing. I saw the Royal Rooster Chicken Palace with small run and was wondering if that with the external laying boxes and weather shield would be a good option. Or would the Somerzby Homestead Chicken Coop be a better option? I plan to free range them in my fenced yard once I finish making it safe.

The local farm supply store was no help and said "chickens will be happy with whatever you get them". I just want a nice prefab option that doesn't do my head in.

Location is SEQ, Australia where Summer temperatures reach 34⁰C easily (93⁰F).

 

[AinaWGSD]

Of those two options I'd go with the chicken palace. In your climate an open air coop like that seems like it would be the best option. The homestead chicken coop doesn't have enough ventilation.

Honestly with the chicken palace you probably don't need the weather shield, a tarp or two along the wire facing the prevailing winds should be enough weather protection for an open air style coop.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

The wood on that second one will last about two years if you get any kind of moisture. Not to mention hanging nesting boxes are just designed to fail. I would go with the first one as well.

 

[perkolator]

I too would go with #1. However that's a lot of money for something that's only ~11.5'L x 5.25'W x 7.25'H. You could likely build something really similar, but larger, with a carport with metal roof kit, more corrugated roof panels and a roll of hardware cloth, probably for about half that price. Good luck!

 

[Bawkbok]

Initially I was set on getting an Eglu Pro, but the price tag and the ventilation situation has me pausing.

This is what we settled on over all other prefabs due to our climate, extremely hot for extended periods of time (months on end) with high humidity and bugs galore. While I dislike the plastic, it eliminates the mites, lice, bug infestation problems that accompanies wood coops and the FL sun tears up everything at a high rate. Given our initial investment, we are still eating eggs that cost about $1k

It has served us well for our needs and environment. Ideal? No. We had to modify it significantly to accommodate what you have recognized as insufficient ventilation. Our changes have greatly improved their comfort level and they rest comfortably as a result.

When we move to a different location without so many city ordinances and limitations we will build a "real" coop and use this one for integration of newbies and isolation, as needed.

Just wanted to provide a testimonial if you are still considering this product, but I would wait for their 20% off sale on coops, which I know they just had one not long ago.
Best of luck.