NEED ADVICE! Have chickens but no coop. Lookimg for affordable options

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Was there something that changed your initial plan? I would imagine there was a plan in place before obtaining the chicks? If we know more about what your needs are then we can help more with specifics. Do you live in a hot or cold climate? Lots of wind etc? For example, I can’t have a plastic shed/coop because of the crazy wind here. Also what type of predation do you have? Aerial or just ground?
 
So, your first problem was getting a ton of chicks before at least having an idea on how to house them. Building them a coop and run for dirt cheap is possible but takes time. You need to watch for people giving wood away or anything else you can use. I got an old playhouse for free but I didnt get my chicks until I at least had a coop. Right now you have 2 options, go the cheaper route and build or pay extra and buy a big enough coop for all of your chickens.
 
Here ya go... the basic ratio of chickens per square ft of space:

The minimum rule of thumb is about 2 to 3 square feet per chicken inside thechicken coop, and 8 to 10 square feet per chicken in an outside run. Moresquare footage is better. Skimping on space requirements for a flock ofchickens can cause stress, cannibalism, pecking, and sometimes even death.

Copied it right off google :) Its in the forum somewhere 🤔... just found it here faster.
 
RoosterML said:
Putting the cart before the horse again I see. :idunno
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Been there, done that! I think most of us have.

I didn't even have my heating pad set up last time I got chicks - I didn't think they'd let me buy on day of shipment so I'd only gone in to see what breeds were available, and, well... chicks happened. :D
 
Possible option for the run:

A dog kennel. Some have big panels of chanlink fencing, 10 feet long and 6 feet high, and you can buy two (or more) to enclose more space. Others have welded wire and may come with a roof, but may not be as easy to combine in other configurations.

Tarps are good for keeping out rain, and providing shelter from the sun, but you should plan to repace the tarp once or twice a year.

If you really have NO predator concerns, and just need to contain chickens and protect them from the weather, that might be enough. It should also keep out most dogs.

With a tarp over top, it should also be enough to protect from hawks and owls.

If you have small predators, or ones that reach through things (raccoons), then you would need to cover the whole thing with hardware cloth, including covering the top with hardware cloth. I have read of raccons that work together, with one scaring the chickens into a corner where a different one can reach through a fence and grab them--apparently the chickens are too stupid to stand in the middle out of reach.

I'm not sure whether cats are more like raccoons (reach in and grab chickens) or like dogs (if their mouth won't fit through the hole, they usually won't reach in with a paw to drag something closer.)
 
RobertaD1 said:
To me it sounds like you have 2 options.....
---find the time to convert your shed...
----or, open your wallet.

Now, there is a chance to MAYBE find one on craigslist, or at least the supplies to build one from there. Ask around in the feed mills and see if someones taking down some outbuildings... if you help, or will at least clean it up, they will usually give you the things you need. The good news is, with a secure coop and run, roost for their fluffy butts, a nest box or 5... (you are going to have quite a few birds), food and water.... you WILL have the summer to complete the shed. Winter is a while away, and as long as they are secure... time to complete will be probable.
Click to expand...
RobertaD1 said:
To me it sounds like you have 2 options.....
---find the time to convert your shed...
----or, open your wallet.

Now, there is a chance to MAYBE find one on craigslist, or at least the supplies to build one from there. Ask around in the feed mills and see if someones taking down some outbuildings... if you help, or will at least clean it up, they will usually give you the things you need. The good news is, with a secure coop and run, roost for their fluffy butts, a nest box or 5... (you are going to have quite a few birds), food and water.... you WILL have the summer to complete the shed. Winter is a while away, and as long as they are secure... time to complete will be probable.
Click to expand...
I just got back from the store, found a cheap, easy option of PVC piping and chicken wire. If need be I could pour some resin into the pipes for a solid beam once everything is set up. Total estimation time is roughly 3-6 hrs of work, which is NOT that bad. Also found someone to build a run for roughly 700(delivery and installation included). However the pvc option would only run me about 250-350. I'm leaning toward the PVC option tbh
 
Kingnyro said:
I just got back from the store, found a cheap, easy option of PVC piping and chicken wire. If need be I could pour some resin into the pipes for a solid beam once everything is set up. Total estimation time is roughly 3-6 hrs of work, which is NOT that bad. Also found someone to build a run for roughly 700(delivery and installation included). However the pvc option would only run me about 250-350. I'm leaning toward the PVC option tbh
Click to expand...
I wouldn't recommend chicken wire, unless you are SURE there are no problems with predators. If not then go with something a bit more sturdy.
 

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