Newbie exploring coop and run options

[ChannahinVermont]

Hi all, I am exploring starting to raise and care for chickens and am also not handy though have a neighbor who would like to build a coop. I am mostly concerned about predators as I live in Vermont and wonder if any of you have experience with the Eglu made by omelet, a prefab moveable plastic coop with a pre made run ( up to 12 feet) or a larger enclosure. The one person who uses it for her hens I spoke to in NH lives in a rural area with fox, bear, raccoon and weasles and found it to be very secure and safe. She has 3 hens and a 12 foot run they spend most of their time in. she claims the plastic is very easy to clean and the hens seem happy with a swing in the run and other toys. It looks a bit small to me but am new to all this so welcome any suggestions or ideas. I live in a house by the road with forest behind me but neighbors with gardens and cats on both sides so feel I need an enclosed area for chickens when I am not supervising and a very safe coop for evenings. I appreciate any suggestions

 

[tacothechicken]

I say the bigger the better, your main press are foxes, racoons, coyotes, and birds of prey, and maybe a bobcat. a grown chicken will beat the fluff outta your standard housecat if they make the mistake to wander in but chicks are vulnerable, so a run that is securely covered is a must! I don't like plastic coops simply cause I think they restrict air flow and aren't good in hot weather, but they are probably better at prevention of parasite colonies like mites or lice. I'm building a pigeon loft/quail run in a 8x8 run whith a 4x4x5 loft, I'd say that's suitable for 2-5 standard chickens max to be in whithout ability to free-range at least once weekly. But chicken math is killer so you may want a larger coop cause you'll need extra chicks to the number you actually want do to mortality, and you'll find breeds you want to add in later on. Here's A pic oft the loft I'm building, did it in a lazy week with 90% free materials. It's not for chickens but it certainly could easily double as such. It has alot of airflow and is located in tree cover as I'm in Texas and it gets HOT.this also means it must be doubly secure from aerial predators and tree dwellers like racoons, possums, and coopers Hawks.

 

[tacothechicken]

Also take into account your weather, were I lived before I never would've dared build a raised loft or coop as we'd get 60mph windstorms that would tear them up, plus walk in coops I find are generally much easier to clean :/

 

[Phoenixxx]

My first building was a full-height 8x6, with the intention of housing only 6-12 hens. Sure, it's overkill, but when winter rolls around and the birds refuse to go outside (most don't like snow, except to eat it), they sure appreciate the extra space! I like it, too, so I'm not exposed to nasty weather when chores need to be done, or when I simply want to spend some time with the birds. My smallest building is a 4x8, but I can't turn around inside it with a shovel; the 6x8 I can.

 

[rosemarythyme]

The one person who uses it for her hens I spoke to in NH lives in a rural area with fox, bear, raccoon and weasles and found it to be very secure and safe. She has 3 hens and a 12 foot run they spend most of their time in. she claims the plastic is very easy to clean and the hens seem happy with a swing in the run and other toys. It looks a bit small to me

Personally I feel Eglus are too small but I get the that plastic finish is popular, and they're "cute." If you're wanting to buy it as a starter unit, keep in the back of your head that you'll need to upgrade if you ever choose to grow your flock. Your friend that says their Eglu is safe around a bear has never had a bear try to get in, I can't see how a bear wouldn't be able to topple it easily.

As far as space, at a bare minimum calculate 4 sq ft per standard bird inside coop, 10 sq ft in the run. More is always better! If time and budget allow, build for the maximum number of birds you think you might end up with. Because of your cold climate, depending on how much climate protection is in the run space (i.e. roof? wind protected walls?), you may need to be more generous with coop space, 6-8 sq ft per.

 

[ChannahinVermont]

I am thinking it is too small as the coop itself is only 3 by 3 feet although the company claims it can hold 6 large hens and 10!! smaller ones. I am getting the idea it is way to small and based on responses I have received so far am reconsidering. I like the plastic because it did seem more critter proof but have you ( and others) been successful securing your hens safety with home made or other pre fab wood coops. I am not that handy but do want something that will be comfy and good for them.. I would like to allow them to be out and about when I supervise but am also not sure how safe that is. Welcome your experiences.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Unfortunately not a lot of prefabs are sturdy or made from good materials. The better (and bigger) ones would likely be made by smaller local companies that build them to order or with customizable options.

If you have any local shed builders, carpenters, etc. they can often cobble something together that's suitable and much sturdier than what you'd find in a store. If you have smaller, family owned feed stores, some will carry locally crafted prefabs or have contact info for companies that make them.