Market Research

[Capvin]

Some of the best ideas and designs for building coops and runs are right here on the BYC site. There are litterally hundreds of actual coops with pictures of the entire process from planning to completion. If someone on this site wanted any ideas for a coop and run I could not think of a better place to go then right here and it is for free. Having said that I am amazed at the amount of people who start their coop and run design and one look at it shows that they totally ignored almost all of the advise given here. So many coops and runs are disasters waiting to happen as far as the ease in which predators can get at their flock. Then I am amazed when I read in the Predator section how a flock was killed off and the owners are completely at a loss as to why it happened. It happens mainly because their coop and run was deficient in regards to protection from predators.

 

[rpchris]

I think people fall into a couple of categories:

1) The Build-It-Yourselfers. These folks build their own coops either because they enjoy the process or because they lack the resources to have someone else do it or they have to improvise with what they have available. I don't think these people would be interested in your services.

2) The Buy-It-And-Hope-It-Works. These folks just buy something pre-built off the internet. They don't have enough experience to know that the coop is either under-sized, poorly-designed, or made from cheap materials. If you had a website that gave some realistically-sized options for a coop and run based on the number of chickens a person wanted and then gave them the ability to customize those plans as needed then you might have a valuable consulting service. If you also had a list of material costs and then references and contact information for handymen in their area that could build the coop (like an Angies List), then you would have the complete package.

The advantage of paying for your services as opposed to just buying something pre-built would be 1) ensuring the coop and run are properly sized for the desired number of chickens and the person's climate. 2) ensuring the design is predator proof and will stand the test of time 3) have a realistic idea of material costs up front 4) have a list of reliable people who could build the coop if the person lacked the tools or skill to do it themselves. 5) being able to customize the coop to best fit their needs.

 

[kfacres]

Quote:
If i were you, I would focus my efforts towards something that will take less time, and pay better than what could be two dollars an hour..

 

[chicksanducks]

I think your idea is a good one at a more local level. But online anyone can do a little research and come up with personalized ideas and concepts. And if they find you on here, chances are tjey are doing some research. But i know in my area, there are alot of people that like the idea ofchickens, but don,t know whereto start.you could become your local chicken consultant!

Ps. Typos from clumsy touch screen use

 

[Time-Out]

The thing is, most people DON'T do the research. I went to a poultry keeping course two weeks ago, to see if I could pick up any hints or tips that you guys might have missed (none by the way, youve covered it all and far more!). The others on that course all had chickens, but knew absolutely nothing. I was stunned. It's no wonder I keep hearing about brits fighting red mite. They need to do some research and do things properly from the start, then they wouldn't be so plagued!

I'd say the biggest downfall will be the cost of materials, for selling your plans over here anyway. Everything is just that much more that people would rather buy the cheap stuff (like me) than spend £1000 building their own.

 

[rittert3]

Great points here. This would most likely be an occaisional byc auction. As far as having a coop you like with a few things you would change IS where I could have helped basically pointing my finger at something somebody has done that maybe you didn't see. And this buisiness wouldn't have to stop at coops. Wire cages are really easy.