New guy here. Need help on coop

[JesusFreak824]

I’m brand new to the chicken world. I actually don’t have any yet nor do I have a coop. But my wife and I want to start with about 4-6 chickens. What the best coop you can buy as a starter, that’s inexpensive? Say <$600?

 

[Friendly_Lurker]

I have an awesome coop that was a garden shed. Those can get expensive, but you can get them used online. There's a hole in the back with an automatic door.

 

[Lemon-Drop]

Welcome (love the username!) it’s usually easier and better to build your own coop, but if you buy one, make sure it has plenty of space for each hen (at least 3 feet per, more is better)

 

[SurferchickinSB]

I’m brand new to the chicken world. I actually don’t have any yet nor do I have a coop. But my wife and I want to start with about 4-6 chickens. What the best coop you can buy as a starter, that’s inexpensive? Say <$600?

You should make your own. You can build something really nice for $600 and if you’re willing to search craigslist for free items, you could do it for even less!

 

[Lemon-Drop]

We also almost bought a coop off of https://www.horizonstructures.com/
But they are on the more pricy side.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Basic minimum recommendations, for standard size birds. So keep this in mind with any coops, sheds, coop plans you're considering:
- 4 sq ft per hen inside the coop NOT including nests
- 10 sq ft per inside the run
- 1 linear ft of roost per bird
- 1 sq ft ventilation per bird in coop

 

[JesusFreak824]

Found a guy locally that said he would build this for pretty cheap. It’s 4x8 but I’m sure there’s some modifications that would improve it. I’m suppose to meet with him and his dad today to discuss plans and a price. Can someone tell me what needs to change ?
I like this size.

 

[21hens-incharge]

A lot will depend on your climate.

What part of the world are you in?

In my area we see 100+F in summer and -16 in winter. We can get howling winds and deep snow.

That wire bottom will not be good on their feet and will not allow poo to drop through. I would suggest a solid floor.
For 6 hens you will only need 2 nests.
Open sofit venting is much easier to weather proof. Also for weather proofing I would not have wire walls on the coop. Windows with wire that can be closed in winter is nice and the sofit venting will still keep the fresh air circulating.
The roosts look thin. I would use at least 2x2's. Mine have 2x4's with the wide side up.

I don't see a big clean out door. I think it needs it.

 

[JesusFreak824]

South Georgia here.

 

[3KillerBs]

Basic minimum recommendations, for standard size birds. So keep this in mind with any coops, sheds, coop plans you're considering:
- 4 sq ft per hen inside the coop NOT including nests
- 10 sq ft per inside the run
- 1 linear ft of roost per bird
- 1 sq ft ventilation per bird in coop

This.

Additionally, the ventilation -- which needs to be 24/7/365 (the pop door that's closed at night and any windows that are closed in the window don't count), should be placed above the chickens' heads when they're sitting on their roost.

Heat and ammonia both rise so any design that has a closed space under the roof where it will become hot and stinky is probably a bad design.

A lot will depend on your climate.

What part of the world are you in?

In my area we see 100+F in summer and -16 in winter. We can get howling winds and deep snow.

Yes, climate is very important.

A guy in Canada and I were comparing notes about Open Air Coops. His is a rectangular box with the south wall made of wire. Mine is a wire box with a 3-sided shelter at one end.

In Canada he needs draft-free protection against howling winter storms. In North Carolina I need ventilation to deal with weeks of 95F with 95% humidity with enough shelter to keep the wind off them during bad weather.

Also, is this for an in-town backyard or a rural setting?

Found a guy locally that said he would build this for pretty cheap. It’s 4x8 but I’m sure there’s some modifications that would improve it. I’m suppose to meet with him and his dad today to discuss plans and a price. Can someone tell me what needs to change ?
I like this size. View attachment 2581486View attachment 2581487View attachment 2581488View attachment 2581489View attachment 2581490

Wire floor is rarely a good idea. The poop doesn't actually fall through and it's hard on their feet -- potentially causing bumblefoot.

There is no ventilation at the top where the heat and ammonia will build up.

I don't see a good access door for cleaning (getting behind that ladder roost will be murderous).

And, as a wise BYC member said, you know that the builder doesn't know much about chickens when there are more nestboxes than the number of hens the coop will hold.

I suggest that you have a look at various BYC members' coop pages -- keeping the space guidelines in mind -- and get a good idea of what fits your needs and the footprint of your space.

Not to toot my own horn, but my Little Monitor Coop is designed to meet all the minimums for 4 hens.

Article, with plans, here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-little-monitor-coop.76275/

A competent builder could expand it, but it would be necessary to move the access door so that you can reach all parts of the coop for cleaning and emergencies.