New and need advice

[montugirl]

So I picked up my 6 baby chicks today, I know nothing except for what I have been reading.for more they are inside with a heat lamp. I want to get out coop soon my boyfriend can build good i just need to know what I want. I was going to spend 200 for a coop at tractor supply but I wonder ifits better to build our get a premade kit any advice?

 

[FarmalI]

Where do your live, town, country, field, woods?

 

[CrazyChickGirl]

I think you can build something bigger and stronger then you can buy. May have to get creative with supplies though... Possibly use pallets?

 

[montugirl]

In the country but close to town, have 4 acre of open land.

 

[Alicatt]

Build one, and build it bigger than you think you need. If I were to redo, I would use a shed, cut a chicken door, put up roost bars, etc. I would leave a third of it as a people only place to keep my shavings, feed, hay, and cleaning supplies in. I bought one of those small coops, built it in an hour, I still ended up having to build another coop. For starters they really are too small for more than three hens, plus the wood is thin, I wouldn't trust it for storms or predators. Now it sits in my run, no one sleeps in it, but they have laid in the nesting boxes. Chickens get addictive. I am always dreaming of expanding. Limited myself by having a coop built for the ten hens I have, instead of for the twenty five I want... Good luck!

 

[montugirl]

Thanks I decided to build now just trying to come up with a plan.

 

[Alicatt]

There is an older thread, "Things I learned when building my coop". Type that into your search window at the top of the page, it will give you excellent things to think about. Also check out the coop tab at the top of the page, you will see pics, and when you tap on them you get the whole story of how they were conceived and built. You will get some great ideas and can show your boyfriend so he can see it in his head before building it. Plus feature is nest box you can access from outside, I don't know what your weather is like, but we get snow, so for me covered run is important. You can get away with a smaller coop if you have a bigger run. And don't worry, if you are like many people on this site, the first coop will not be your last... you will be planning the next one as you are finishing this one!! Good luck!