New guy here. Need help on coop

[bill3607]

..or it was an intentional play on words?

Yes, probably right. Raised hair on top of my head as it zoomed over. It was funny either way.

 

[Kellow1]

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?

Good luck with that! Are you able to build your own?

 

[rdlcowgirl]

I got my first coop from craigslist, 6x6 used garden shed, delivered and was only $300. I added 2 windows and roosts for about $60. I ended up having a 12x8 shed built yrs later, (chicken math) and the shed has been repurposed back to a garden shed. If you start off with something that's better quality but used, you can reuse or sell it later for the 47 chickens you end up with

 

[cgaylemedders]

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?

We fashioned a temp coop with roost and nesting box out of an old wooden computer desk while we get the coop finished. The coop is free material - a shipping crate that we have dismantled. The only out of pocket will be the vinyl for the floor and metal for the roof. My niece will of course want to paint it pink and decorate it, but that is another story...

 

[CJONESFAY]

first coop we built with house and run and put wheels on it so we could move around yard as they wipe out the grass under it quickly fairly simple was great idea and even moved it around with my atv but after a few years and about up to 55 chickens just use it for new hatchlings and moms put hardware cloth on bottom because of new chickens and predator's made it so we could stand up and also made coop detachable with nest boxes and ramp

 

[KyCoop]

I'm concerned about the roost bars. They don't look flat or on their side. They look like they are nailed flat to the angled board which would make the sharp edge up. Maybe its the picture and I cant see it properly but they need to be one or the other. Flat or completely on their side.

 

[JesusFreak824]

Y’all have really gone above and beyond on your responses. I feel the love. My problem is I’m an over achiever. As soon as I realized I wanted chickens I started doing research and seeing all of y’all’s ideas and plans has made me want to have it perfect. I could build it I’m sure but I have a circle saw and that’s about it. I found a guy that would build it for me for around $400. Just not exactly sure how I want the layout. I’m thinking 4 feet wide and 8 ft deep. The front (4ft) would be open and the sides(8ft) would have about a foot of ventilation all the way around the top. And the back would be my perches and also have the back door for cleaning out under the perches. And a roosting box somewhere on the 8ft side.
Y’all have given me so much info that it’s definitely gonna take me a few more weeks to figure out what I wanna do. but I’m like this with everything; bonsai, chess, plants, and now chickens. I’m an all in kinda guy. It’s draining

 

[21hens-incharge]

Y’all have really gone above and beyond on your responses. I feel the love. My problem is I’m an over achiever. As soon as I realized I wanted chickens I started doing research and seeing all of y’all’s ideas and plans has made me want to have it perfect. I could build it I’m sure but I have a circle saw and that’s about it. I found a guy that would build it for me for around $400. Just not exactly sure how I want the layout. I’m thinking 4 feet wide and 8 ft deep. The front (4ft) would be open and the sides(8ft) would have about a foot of ventilation all the way around the top. And the back would be my perches and also have the back door for cleaning out under the perches. And a roosting box somewhere on the 8ft side.
Y’all have given me so much info that it’s definitely gonna take me a few more weeks to figure out what I wanna do. but I’m like this with everything; bonsai, chess, plants, and now chickens. I’m an all in kinda guy. It’s draining

Since you are going for a raised coop I would strongly recommend having 2 big clean out doors on the long side. A door on the 4' end won't allow you to reach every corner of the coop.

Invariably a hen will lay eggs in the farthest corner, get injured or ill and be in that farthest corner and that corner will need cleaned on occasion.

 

[JesusFreak824]

Since you are going for a raised coop I would strongly recommend having 2 big clean out doors on the long side. A door on the 4' end won't allow you to reach every corner of the coop.

Invariably a hen will lay eggs in the farthest corner, get injured or ill and be in that farthest corner and that corner will need cleaned on occasion.

Makes sense. Would you recommend windows on the 8’ sides plus vents at the top? And I may not have a raised coop. I do want to be able to walk in it

 

[21hens-incharge]

Makes sense. Would you recommend windows on the 8’ sides plus vents at the top? And I may not have a raised coop. I do want to be able to walk in it

Having had both raised and walk in I definitely prefer a walk in.

I like windows for the natural light they allow in. They are also nice in summer if you have ones that can open.

I sold my ducks so am actually going to start a coop expansion that includes a salvaged window from a screen door. Free to me and nice and big.
Just keep in mind that windows in sun equals heat. Shade is best in summer.