Is this worth the $$$?

[JT_KROL]

So, I'm a handy person I have build furniture and know my way around lumber and angles. So I clicked on a sponsor here and was promised if I part with my ~ $30.00 all my coop problems that I don't even know about will be solved, and they include designs.

The design I have selected will cost me $15 for detailed plans and bill of materials.

The site is "buildingachickencoop.com"

If this site delivers on its promises it could be worth the $ in time saved. I have learned over the years that each project has it's unique set of quirks and hurtles to get over.

Any thoughts?
Thanks
JT

 

[junebuggena]

Those coops are all seriously lacking in ventilation.
Check out the coops section here. Loads of them have detailed plans posted, and you're sure to see some neat features you may want to incorporate.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/category/chicken-coops.12/

 

[Smuvers Farm]

@rjohns39 is my resident coop expert....

 

[venymae]

There are good plans for coops out there, a friend of mine built theirs off plans they purchased online. However, lots of people like to customize their coops to fit their land, buildings, and personal needs. I suppose if it fits the bill it would be fine. Personally, we (who had NO wood working experience) designed our own coop and built it ourselves. It didn't take that long, was perfect because we designed it to fit our needs and it matched the other buildings on our property. I'd guess if you did have woodworking experience that this would be a piece of cake. Just my two cents!

 

[blackdog043]

The plans will probably give you a good idea of what you want, but you may change things up along the way anyway. Are the dimensions exactly what you want. Is there enough ventilation. Maybe it's worth $15 to get started, but since your handy, know your way around lumber and angles, I would draw up rough plans and go from there. I drew up rough plans and built an 8 x 12 lean to shed for my coop. I still need to make windows.

 

[Sunshine Flock]

I think the plans they sell are worth the money. You can always modify them as needed, but it's nice having a solid starting point, and that's what they are providing.

Also, it puts an end to the almost homicidal experience of obsessively browsing every darn site there is for the absolutely perfect design — only to click through to a rabbit hole of a thousand more options.

Now you have the plans, the measurements and supplies laid out for you, and the enjoyment of getting out there and getting the thing done.

 

[Folly's place]

My dream coop is a Woods coop, and that's what I'd build if starting from scratch. You can find photos and plans without cost for them. What I have is a shed, with additions and modifications, and it works very well.
Cutsie little coops never have enough space or ventilation!
Mary

 

[AnneInTheBurbs]

When I moved to or new home last year, I knew I needed a bigger coop. I contacted some local shed companies to see if they had any used sheds. I was able to get a used 10x12 with a bad roof for $350, including delivery in my yard. It was a big investment, and I had to put a new roof on it, but it was well worth it. The roof was easy to do also, I have no construction experience, I just watched YouTube.

Although it was a lot of money to spend, I could barely buy the materials for that much. I also invested in an automatic coop door opener as well, and that was worth every penny. My girls are safe and secure every night, even when it gets dark, before I get home. That's my two cents!

 

[Sassysouth]

The plans will probably give you a good idea of what you want, but you may change things up along the way anyway. Are the dimensions exactly what you want. Is there enough ventilation. Maybe it's worth $15 to get started, but since your handy, know your way around lumber and angles, I would draw up rough plans and go from there. I drew up rough plans and built an 8 x 12 lean to shed for my coop. I still need to make windows.

Mine is half the size of yours. I did add an extra run on the back though. My husband said he will use it for a shooting house when I get tired of chickens.

 

[IamRainey]

These plans are only $10 and I'm very happy with the coop I had built from them.

The thing about drawing up your own plans is you may overlook something important if you haven't raised chicken before. At least that was my reasoning and $10 is pretty affordable.

I made adaptations. I put lucite panels in the "windows". And I put lots more ventilation holes at the top of the coop on the run side. We skipped the cement floor and dug our hardware cloth 12" into the ground and put a load of rocks around the base.