Looking for new coop suggestions

[Mcmchick]

Hi !
I'm looking for suggestions on chicken coops. We were given a coop for free, between moving it around so much last spring and winter weather, it ended up only being good for the year. I have an attachment off of my garage, kind of like a very large shed, I keep the coop in there for extra protection against predators/weather. I live in a neighborhood, so I only ever keep a maximum of 4 chickens at a time. They also free-range and have a run that I built off of the "shed", so I do not need an attached run with the coop. This spring I want to buy a new coop, so I'm looking for reliable brands or specific coops that people like. Thank you!!!

 

[Moonbeam Guineas]

I just made my guinea coop, I used pallets and old barn wood. I have the coop in my horses run in barn so I have made it horse safe/proof pic#1. Next coop, will be a shed type coop pic #2.

 

[3KillerBs]

Welcome to BYC. Where, in general, are you located? Climate matters, especially when considering housing.

Unfortunately, it's next to impossible to buy a good chicken coop that meets all the usual guidelines for space and, especially, ventilation.

For each adult, standard-sized hen you need:

• 4 square feet in the coop (.37 square meters)
• 10 square feet in the run (.93 square meters),
• 1 linear foot of roost (.3 meters),
• 1/4 of a nest box,
• And 1 square foot (.09 square meters) of permanent, 24/7/365 ventilation, preferably located over the birds' heads when they're sitting on the roost.

For 4 hens you need:

• 16 square feet in the coop. 4'x4' is the only really practical build for this given the common dimensions of lumber.
• 4 feet of roost
• 40 square feet in the run. 4'x10' or 5'x8'. 6'x6' is a bit too small, 6'x8' is more generous and easier to build than 5'x8'.
• 4 square feet of ventilation. A 2'x2' window is theoretically enough, but in practice doesn't create any air FLOW so better to spread the venting around (and even better to exceed the minimums, especially in warm climates).
• 2 nest boxes, to give the hens a choice

My Little Monitor Coop was designed to meet all the minimums for a flock of 4: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-little-monitor-coop.76275/ You might be able to get a handyman to build a copy for you.

 

[Mcmchick]

Welcome to BYC. Where, in general, are you located? Climate matters, especially when considering housing.

Unfortunately, it's next to impossible to buy a good chicken coop that meets all the usual guidelines for space and, especially, ventilation.

For each adult, standard-sized hen you need:

• 4 square feet in the coop (.37 square meters)
• 10 square feet in the run (.93 square meters),
• 1 linear foot of roost (.3 meters),
• 1/4 of a nest box,
• And 1 square foot (.09 square meters) of permanent, 24/7/365 ventilation, preferably located over the birds' heads when they're sitting on the roost.

For 4 hens you need:

• 16 square feet in the coop. 4'x4' is the only really practical build for this given the common dimensions of lumber.
• 4 feet of roost
• 40 square feet in the run. 4'x10' or 5'x8'. 6'x6' is a bit too small, 6'x8' is more generous and easier to build than 5'x8'.
• 4 square feet of ventilation. A 2'x2' window is theoretically enough, but in practice doesn't create any air FLOW so better to spread the venting around (and even better to exceed the minimums, especially in warm climates).
• 2 nest boxes, to give the hens a choice

My Little Monitor Coop was designed to meet all the minimums for a flock of 4: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-little-monitor-coop.76275/ You might be able to get a handyman to build a copy for you.

I live in New Hampshire. Thanks for the info!

 

[3KillerBs]

I live in New Hampshire. Thanks for the info!

In New Hampshire you might skip the low window next to the nests. Or put a cover on it that you can close in the winter.

 

[mowin]

The issue with most premade coops is 1..the quality sucks. 2.. they usually will only hold 2-3 birds(even though advertised to hold many more).
3.. they still need to modified, especially the lack of ventilation. 4... Good ones, are very expensive and IMO still need mods.

If mods are going to be needed on a prefab, poor or good quality, I recommend a garden shed and modify it. Cost would be far less than a good quality pre fab, and last yrs longer than a poor quality pre fab.

 

[aart]

I recommend a garden shed and modify it. Cost would be far less than a good quality pre fab, and last yrs longer than a poor quality pre fab.

Yes, but still need mods.
Most sheds have no roof overhangs, and little to no ventilation.

 

[mowin]

Yes, but still need mods.
Most sheds have no roof overhangs, and little to no ventilation.

As I mentioned it would. But if one has to modify a poor quality pre fab, or a good quality pre fab, what's the difference? Each one needs mods, correct?
1..Poor quality won't last but a yr or two. No overhang.. and most poor ventilation.
2..Good quality will last but 2-3x more money than a shed.. no overhang.
3.. shed. Less expensive. Last many yrs. Relatively easy to add overhangs or "awnings".

 

[JN_CO2022]

For each adult, standard-sized hen you need:

• 4 square feet in the coop (.37 square meters)
• 10 square feet in the run (.93 square meters),
• 1 linear foot of roost (.3 meters),
• 1/4 of a nest box,
• And 1 square foot (.09 square meters) of permanent, 24/7/365 ventilation, preferably located over the birds' heads when they're sitting on the roost.

Newbie questions, please be patient with me I am still researching and learning.
Hi, saw your response to someone else as I am trying to determine the proper size coop and run I will need for my future flock. I can have 6 hens (standard size to be safe). Located in Colorado (Denver Metro Suburbs). I considered getting a shed but inventory, cost and delivery are a big factor. There is a handyman on FB ChickenCoops R Us that will build and deliver one for me within my limited budget since I do not have the time, skills, nor tools necessary to build my own. Being in suburbia with an HOA I have limited space and setback requirements to put the coop and run (approx 12’L x 9’w). I cannot let them free range unsupervised so they will use the run most of the time. He said the coop and run is 9’Lx4’Wx6’H. Is this sufficent for a happy and healthy flock? If no, then based on the space I have available, what dimensions should I have him build?

 

[3KillerBs]

Newbie questions, please be patient with me I am still researching and learning.
Hi, saw your response to someone else as I am trying to determine the proper size coop and run I will need for my future flock. I can have 6 hens (standard size to be safe). Located in Colorado (Denver Metro Suburbs). I considered getting a shed but inventory, cost and delivery are a big factor. There is a handyman on FB ChickenCoops R Us that will build and deliver one for me within my limited budget since I do not have the time, skills, nor tools necessary to build my own. Being in suburbia with an HOA I have limited space and setback requirements to put the coop and run (approx 12’L x 9’w). I cannot let them free range unsupervised so they will use the run most of the time. He said the coop and run is 9’Lx4’Wx6’H. Is this sufficent for a happy and healthy flock? If no, then based on the space I have available, what dimensions should I have him build?

Welcome to BYC. It would be best to start your own thread in order to get well-targeted feedback specific to your own personal situation. There are lots of people here who will be willing to help you.

I'm a little brain-dead after a stressful day at work, but here are the guidelines for 6 hens:

6 hens

• 24 square feet in the coop. 4'x6' is the only really practical build for this given the common dimensions of lumber. If you can't walk into it, put the access door in the middle of the long side to make sure you can reach all areas of the coop because a stubborn chicken WILL press itself into/lay an egg in the back corner where you can't reach.
• 6 feet of roost
• 60 square feet in the run. 6'x10' or 8'x8'.
• 6 square feet of ventilation.
• 2 nest boxes, to give the hens a choice

So you see that the coop and run combo suggested is too small, being more than big enough if it were all only coop, but too small to provide the 84 square feet combined that a flock of 6 needs.

But the good news is that your space available should be plenty of space.

Another consideration is your climate. If you tend to get severe winters with a good deal of snowfall you'll want to have a covered run so that the birds aren't literally cooped up -- confined indoors -- all winter.

Start a new thread and tag me (using the "@" symbol and my name), and I'll copy this into it to continue the discussion tomorrow when I'm rested.

In the meantime, here is my article on coop ventilation: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/repecka-illustrates-coop-ventilation.77659/

And an article on cold weather chicken-keeping: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/cold-weather-poultry-housing-and-care.72010/