New Canadian looking for coop info before getting chickens

[jwood]

Hi!

I am new to BYC and am just gathering information before actually getting my chickens. I live in Ontario and after the unusually brutal winter we have had I'm nervous about getting the chickens now!

Before the chickens come the coop. I haven't gotten one yet and would like some Canadian opinions about it.

1. is it better to build one or buy one? Home Hardware sells them but unfortunately I have to order it from a catalogue and am unable to see how well built it is before buying it. has anyone had any experience with these?

2. insulate or not? I imagine if I buy one they are not insulated but not sure if this is necessary? also I am worried about not being enough ventilation/light with a purchased one.

I am only looking to get 3-4 chickens to start.

Any information about be a great help!

Thanks!

 

[Judy]

I think you'll find the opinion here is overwhelmingly to build. For one thing, in your climate, even though you only plan on a few, you will need a fair sized coop to keep them happy over winter. You just can't buy anything for an equivalent amount of money that is as good or as large as what you can build. Confinement in a small space leads quickly to pecking and cannibalism. You will not be happy with they typical small box inside a fence that is sold most places for 3 or 4 birds. I would build at least an 8' x 8' shed. I like the roof slanted to one side because it's easy to make enough ventilation on the high side that way. I would also consider metal roof for snot sliding. When there is deep snow out, they will not go out unless you have a small yard that is protected not only from predators but from most of the snow. For another, most people end up with more than 3 or 4.

In general, insulation is probably not necessary, but in Canada you might well be glad you did it.

Here are a couple of articles written by a Canadian, with some excellent info about coops in your climate:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/...-go-out-there-and-cut-more-holes-in-your-coop

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/winter-coop-temperatures