May I have opinions on these Tractor Supply coops?

[Lilion]

I have taken photos of the shed. I'm going to start a new thread with that. Thanks so much!

 

[Idaho Chicken Bungalow]

I'm in the upper midwest. My three-sided design worked very well in our cold, snowy winter. The most important things about it are that the three sides must be solid during the winter and that the proportions are important. The solid sides keep the wind from blowing in. The depth to width ratio allows a large enough opening for enough air exchange even without much air current in any one place. The ratio isn't hard - something in the ballpark of 8' wide to 12' or 16' deep. It will scale up in size easily and down in size somewhat. It works when the chickens are using part of a larger building; mine is 4' of the side (from top to bottom) open for a 7'x10' space for the chickens in the 10'x14' shed. For 5 chickens - I don't think the number of chickens matters as long as they aren't overcrowded but I'm not sure how crowded is overcrowded.

i have open windows, eave vents, and ridge vents during the summer. I sometimes open the main doors of the shed too.

The third picture is the main doors open. They really haven't needed them open, I had them open to clean the dust out. They are that big to let a riding mower fit in if we ever sold the place and the buyers didn't want chickens. Unless I'm cleaning, one of the doors is locked shut and the other is the 3' wide people door. I like being able to carry pine shaving bales, feed bags, and buckets through a wide door.

Lol, I see the pictures were taken in early spring. The pool noodles are out from the eaves and gap along the top of the windows but the windows are still in the window openings.

I have an overezy coop as well.

 

[sybonbon]

I have two Sentinel coops. They work great for my 3 chickens in each one. The coop is roomy with 3 nesting boxes. If you have ground predators you would need to install wire fencing for the bottom. I am happy with the construction and the ease in assembling. I have Marans in one and Crested Cream Legbars in the other.

 

[3KillerBs]

So our shed is shaped like this. Placing vents like this would be sufficient? I'm thinking of one's with louvers to keep rain out and covered with screen? Maybe a window or two with covers hinged at the top like bahama shutters. There's no electricity so windows would be a good thing.

Yes, good big vents at the top and bottom of the roof slope with either enough roof overhang or some awnings to shelter them from rain and snow.

Top hinged windows are excellent for your supplemental summer venting because they are their own awnings.

 

[Lilion]

Yes, good big vents at the top and bottom of the roof slope with either enough roof overhang or some awnings to shelter them from rain and snow.

Top hinged windows are excellent for your supplemental summer venting because they are their own awnings.

Thank you! Please check out my new thread with pictures of the shed. You've been so helpful, I'd love your thoughts on it.

 

[Anime2lover]

Our local TS has these two coops in stock. As we have two weeks to be ready for our 4 little pullets, we are considering buying instead of making a coop. Could I get your opinions please?

We're in SW Missouri. Heat will be a bigger problem than cold for our chickens. I'm a bit worried about predators as we live in the country, though we haven't actually seen any.

Thanks so much!!!

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/petmate-superior-construction-chicken-coop-70401d#

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/producers-pride-mini-defender-coop-mdc001

Their to small. Good for temporary housing for a couple birds for introduction, good for temporary chick housing for that same reason, but that's about it. For a actual flock, you should try going the custom, or she'd routes.

 

[Critter88]

Check this out:
Thread 'How much room do I actually need for 4 chickens?' https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/how-much-room-do-i-actually-need-for-4-chickens.1522364/

This is the one I got from TS and I got an extra caged area to add on to the 1st one. I built them a dirt bath box inside. I leave my girls run the yard in the day and then lock them up in the late afternoon. I have 8 pullets and they love their home.

 

[Bella Dominique]

I find that these coops look OK until you build your own and have some experience with chickens and their needs, including predator proofing. Then these coops look completely silly at best and worrisome as to keeping the ladies safe and healthy.

 

[janiedoe]

I actually bought that first coop to use as a brooder in my secure, covered run, at half that price.
No way would I recommend it as a stand alone. It doesn't have sufficient ventilation. It isn't sturdy enough to protect from a medium size dog or other predator. I'm pretty sure it would have leaks if it were not under cover. The roosting bars are too low, too close to the wall, and too close to each other. It will not fit more than 2 standard chickens, even if there was sufficient ventilation. (I re-purposed mine, into two sturdy brooders so I did get my money's worth from it.)
You would be much better off building. For the price, you can do better, yourself.

 

[wlgaasch]

Where exactly do I find those? Seriously, I have no idea.

Not sure where you are but there are places that carry them. I found some by googling Amish built coops.