Internet Coop Plans

[chooknovice]

G'day all,
Total novice here so be gentle, but can anyone recommend any good plans for building a coop?
I've found a load on the internet (like at www.chickenark.org ) but they all seem to recommend the same product and it costs a lot and I'm a bit lost as to whether they're worth paying for or can you just make it up as you go?
Any advice welcomed especially links to free plans as I'm having a tough recession.
Cheers

 

[The Chicken People]

theres loads of info on here good luck!

 

[Schroeder]

I started with this but made a lot of changes. See my BYC page. http://www.buildeazy.com/chicken_coop_1.html
Warning: You are soon to be addicted to BYC!

 

[WestKnollAmy]

I am not a builder....at all!
However, I do have access to power tools and I looked on here at all the different designs and finally drew one up that I thought I could build. It isn't pretty but it certainly works for me. And since that first one I have built 6 more by myself. All different designs. Some I like better than others. I think I put the first one on here so if you do a search for the thread "I'm not a builder" then you may be able to find all my photos of how I built that first one and see the design for the tractor. Of course, it can be modified.
I did buy as I went along. I wasn't sure of all the stuff I would need so as I was building I got more ideas and went back for more materials. I do not remember how much it cost me but I had a blast building it.

Don't sell yourself short. If this crazy old woman can build it then so can you!

 

[spangledcornish]

there is a free plan for a chicken ark on an extension web page from wisconsin

they jsut ask that you email them if if you use the design

http://richland.uwex.edu/ag/poultrylinks.html

 

[ColoradoMike]

Quote:
YES!!!

Spend some time perusing the coop designs section here at BYC and you'll see that this forum is full of innovative and resourceful coop builders. There are many pages with lots of pictures and instructions that will give you lots of coop ideas. I recommend designing your own coop.

 

[2txmedics]

Try this site, and its FREE....FREE...DID I SAY FREE?....good luck
http://www.pvcplans.com/



scroll down:
http://www.plamondon.com/chicken-coops.html#Fixed


Pallets:
http://www.instructables.com/id/Turn-Old-Pallets-Into-A-Chicken-Tractor/
http://buildchickencoop.com/
http://www.tinyfreehouse.com/2009/03/16/pallet-walls-are-up-roof-framing-begins/

http://www.freechickencoopplans.com/

I hope this helps, I had more but can find them at the present time, trying to keep my flocks warm we are having a hard freeze....

 

[Intheswamp]

Quote:
How big of a coop do you need? Where are you located (for climate info)?

Lot's of folks shoot for 4 sq ft of coop floor space per chicken...more than that is even better. For the run, 10 sq ft per chicken is pretty much the norm. Thus, a coop 4x8 (32 sq ft) could house 8 chickens...and you would need a run that is at least 80 sq ft. If you are in a very cold area (I think everybody is tonight!) then you might want to go for more square foot per bird in the coop being as they'll be spending a lot of time inside the coop. But, if you're in a warmer area then you might want to build the coop more "open".

More space is always better.

Ed

 

[mikecnorthwest]

http://www.thegardencoop.com/

This is a great coop. I saw it in person during the 2009 Portland Coop Tour. The plans are probably one of the best I've seen in terms of providing easy step by step instructions.

 

[chooknovice]

oh wow, thanks for all of this information. I can see there's no need to buy a plan and I'll just get ideas and inspiration from all the photos and plans available and knock one up myself.
I suppose it doesn't have to be pretty (and if I'm making it then it won't be!) but functional and safe from predators. Thank you everyone, what a friendly place.