One-year coop idea

[DraftXJumper]

Hello! So, we recently purchased a house to use as a future rental. I had chickens for a couple of years before having to move to NC for a bit. We are back in Wisconsin and have some chicks again. I ordered the large snaplock coop, but am reconsidering a small shed (6.5’ x 4.5’) instead for more space. It won’t be a forever coop, as we’ll buy a larger, more permanent property (with more room for chickens!) next summer or so. Winter here is rough, so I worry the snaplock isn’t large enough. We have 6 chicks (3 Easter Eggers, 1 Barred Rock, 2 Copper Marans). Any opinions would be appreciated . Oh, and the girls have an outdoor area to forage during the day (maybe 200 sq ft?).

 

[bruceha2000]

I had to look up Snaplock coops. Wow are they expensive! I expect you could build a shed coop for less and when you move and make a bigger coop will have that shed to use for something else.

 

[aart]

but am reconsidering a small shed (6.5’ x 4.5’) instead for more space.

Good thought.

Oh, and the girls have an outdoor area to forage during the day (maybe 200 sq ft?).

But is that area 'winter proof'?

 

[DraftXJumper]

But is that area 'winter proof'?

Nope! I did end up buying the shed and cancelling the Snap Lock. The nagging feeling that it would be too small in the winter was overpowering. It will require much more modification than the pre-fab coop, but we've done it before and know what we liked and what we overbuilt.