Is this REALLY big enough for 3-5 hens?

[Mel281]

I am sort of shopping blind for a coop,for 4 large hens (ie new to this, don't really know what I'm doing yet). I know enough to know that the number of birds a coop is advertised to house may not really be enough.

http://chickensaloon.com/the-tavern-backyard-chicken-coop/

What do you think of this one?

 

[Chick Charm]

I see enough roosting area for 2 LF chickens. Nest box is adequate but the most limiting factor is the run. If you free range every day you could make it work.

Wish ya the best.

 

[jetdog]

For the amount of money you will spend you can have a handy man or carpenter build you something really nice and definitely alot stronger.

 

[Summerford]

I'd get someone to build you one. I'm building one next few day and I might have spent 300 on materials.

 

[Belott]

Do a search here for Chicken Saloon. A few people had issues with them!

David

 

[Original Recipe]

The problem with these Chinese made coops is the pictures make them look decent size but in reality they are pretty tiny, even for a really small flock. If you are at all handy or know someone who is, you can make a much better coop at a fraction of the cost. When I was starting my coop plan, I was really partial to this coop which is also imported and built with the same materials and construction as the one you linked

It looked to be adequate for the flock of five that I had planned. But then I got to see one in person and was shocked at just how small it was. The coop portion is just a little over 2' x 2' with the run being 2'x5', so exactly the same size as yours, plus it cost nearly $400. So I got out my pencil and ruler, did some drawing and then went to Lowe's. Here's what I came up with for under $200.



This is all cedar (except the roof) coop is 4'x4' and run is 4'x8'. I planned for 5 birds but chicken math took over and I ended up with 8. This size is working out well for them (although barely meeting minimum size) but they do get several hours of free range time every day.

Bottom line, you can build a better coop that looks just like the one you picked out at twice the size for half the cost and yours chooks will be happier.

 

[aart]

Do a search here for Chicken Saloon. A few people had issues with them!

David

Ditto
advanced search>titles only> chicken saloon

I am sort of shopping blind for a coop,for 4 large hens (ie new to this, don't really know what I'm doing yet). I know enough to know that the number of birds a coop is advertised to house may not really be enough.

http://chickensaloon.com/the-tavern-backyard-chicken-coop/

What do you think of this one?

My advice is to take your time and do ALOT of reading...before buying or building anything(including those ridiculously cute chicks at the farm store)

 

[c2chicks]

We have the Chicken Saloon, and for us it works great. I know there have been a lot of complaints about them (and pre made coops in general), but we were prepared to do a lot of "upgrading" when we went with pre made. First, there's no way you could put in more than 3, it's just too small for more than that. We're happy with three because we're not allowed chickens where we live, so 3 is a bonus! Our upgrades:

1. caulked the "shingles" and put on 2 coats of paint. (works great, NO leaking through the roof
2. added extra hinges
3. added another door, in the front, under the sleeping area, makes it easier to clean out.
4. The biggest problem we had was that I wanted to keep the bottom (the "run") dry. Even though our coop is inside a 400 sq ft run, I wanted that little area under the coop to be clean and dry. After trying a few things, we finally built what could best be describes as a giant cookie sheet (flat bottom w/3" sides). We painted it, filled it with sand and set the coop on top. Best. Thing. Ever. It stays clean, dry and safe.
5. I have the little pull out tray filled with Sweet PDZ, I just pull it out every day, dump it into a strainer and sift the Sweet PDZ back into the tray. Takes ....maybe 30 seconds.
6. In the winter, we put clear, corrugated plastic up on the walls. Easy, we just cut it with scissors, drilled a hole and secured the pieces with nuts and bolts and washers right thru the hardware cloth.

If you're thinking of getting a pre made, setting it up and thinking you're done--you'll be very disappointed.