Lumber prices are CRAY -Need Coop Advice

[Zenzilicious]

Hello!

We currently have these pre-fab coops (which i didn't realize how EH they were since getting chickens & joining this site!)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01DLE5HJU/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 (Two 9–10-week-old silkies are currently in this at night)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071VSG8BX/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 (Five 6-week-old buff Orpingtons like to share this one at night)
& This Run
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B093ZMMKHQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1
We are planning to keep a MAX of 10 chickens (some bantams)

Pulled some inspo from three coops on here (posted below) and made a coop plan of our own.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/timms-medium-coop.65952/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/our-daisy-coop-build.74696/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/going-mobile-for-the-love-of-chickens.75204/
The coop plans we put together (which are pretty basic but bigger (110 x 44 x 37.5) are coming out to about $1,150 in materials due to the crazy price of lumber right now. On top of this, we would need to rent a U-haul or truck to get this material over to our house.

I'm wondering if I should just wait and use the coops we have until (hopefully) lumber prices go back down.

Or should we just purchase a larger coop like one of these two below for a few hundred less than the one we would build?
I also saw this Omelet for $850: https://www.omlet.us/shop/chicken_keeping/eglu-cube-large-chicken-coop-with-runs/
I also saw this Snacplock Lg coop for $919: https://www.snaplockchickencoops.com/big-chicken-coop/

They're both much smaller than the coop I we have planned, but they seem to be very easy to clean, last forever, and hopefully better than the wood ones we currently have? Or are they just Tomato, Tomato to the pre-fabs we have?

I should have done more research but trying to figure out what's best to do now. I want my chickens to have enough space!

(Sorry for long post, and thanks for any replies!

 

[Aunt Angus]

Hi!

I *think* you can use your prefab if they are enclosed in that run. But I have a few ideas to help with costs:

• Google hoop coops! I used to think they were meh until I learned more about them in BYC. Many places will deliver materials. TSC will, for example, if you belong to their preferred neighbors program.
• Look on Craigslist or FB Marketplace for used materials. My first coop was made from t111 panels I bought off Craigslist for cheap and fence boards from a demolished fence. I spent $250 on it because I splurged on a fancy metal roof.
• Maybe look for a used shed. I prefer converting sheds myself.
• I am currently converting a large dog house I got for $40 off Marketplace.

 

[Iluveggers]

 

[Aunt Angus]

I forgot to add that I strapped the t111 sheets to the roof of my tiny Ford Fiesta - lol!

 

[rosemarythyme]

To-may-to, to-mah-to IMO - if you're going to size up, actually size up to fit everyone.

A hoop coop is probably one of the easiest and most efficient ways to house chickens.

 

[nuthatched]

Yikes. If you're willing to spend $900 on on another chintsy space/ventilation lacking prefab, you have enough to buy lumber to build it. what the zip code of your lumber store? There's lots of coops in the articles section, it's a picture of a page on mobile and a tab on pc. :]

 

[ShrekDawg]

I wouldn’t recommend the omelet or the other one. Waste of money IMO and not much better. You could look at sheds perhaps. You would get way more for your money and would maybe have to do less building too. Maybe none if you choose to have them build it or get a used one. Hoop coops are another excellent idea and you can make them quite large. You could also cover with lattice or partly metal roof or something if you don’t like the look. Maybe plant some flowers.

 

[Kidwantschickens]

I recently built my a 5.5x7 coop with an 8x20 run that they can also go under the coop for more space.

I had a 5.5x3' playhouse for my kids, I cut it up, used walls etc. My dad had some left over 32x48 particle board, my friend is in and so he donated underlayment for the roof, I had left over shingles from my roof. Where I could I used 2x3s instead of 2x4s, also used 2x2s, has a spare 4x4 and asked friends for metal/hardware. I purchased two sheets of siding and also the wire for the run (which was most expensive)

All together I would estimate I have 250-300 in it. I was super frugal.

I suggest being very creative, asking friends and family what they have, etc. Many times you're helping them.gwt ris of something they don't want.

 

[3KillerBs]

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

For example, if you're in a hot climate area with mild winters you can save a lot by building an Open Air coop instead of an enclosed coop.

 

[Quadzilla32]

I'm in the process of building a 8x4 coop with an attached 12ft run and I can say that i have spent less than a smaller prefab coop. Even with oops moments i still have spent less on wood. Price of wood is slowly coming down right now too a 2x4 that was 8/9 bucks couple weeks ago are now $4 at Lowes/HD.